W. G. Brown to Richard Yates

Hull Franklin Co Ill

May 4th/61

Richd Yates Gov of Ill

Sir Deeming it proper that you should be fully posted about affairs in Egypt we write to inform you about the condition of affairs here

About two thirds of the people sympathize strongly and openly with the Rebels and only lack a bold leader to move to action

The "Courthouse cliques" of the several counties around here are of the same stripe and will move that way whenever they dare or think it half way safe

The present Colonels Militia of Franklin & Hamilton Counties Openly sympathize with secession and will use their influence to obstruct military organization & should be removed or superseded

In Hamilton Co the Major H W Hall is all right a strong Union man able and reliable and would organize at once if he had the authority We suggest that he be appointed Colonel of Ham Co

The few Union men of this country are of the right sort intelligent patriotic and earnest in the cause they have stood in front of the Battle politically and though often threatened with mob violence we are determined to stand firm

They have set the day to pull down our flag (the stars & stripes but have never tried it yet

In conclusion, you can rely entirely on the Union men of Egypt. we are steadily gaining in numbers and the accessions are from the Best men of the Country We are trying to

to raise a Company of volunteers with some prospect of success We will keep a good look out on the movements of the Secessionists and inform you promptly if need be

Yours

W G Brown

Hull

Franklin Co Ill

R. M Johnson

C. W. Byrd

J. H McCormick

Wm Cremens

W G Brown

Hull

Military &c

Answered.