John Monroe to Richard Yates

With Richard Yates letter 2/4/64

With paper entitled "To the people and veteran Volunteers and furloughed Soldiers of Illinois. (no date)

With D.J. Ban Doren letter 2/1/64

Bell Grove Farm, Coles County Ill Feb 6th 1864

Richard Yates

Dear Sir

at the request of a number of our most worthy citizens, of various shads of Political Opinion but who all agree in mentaining Peace Law and order - I will represent to you that quite a number of Soldiers, principly I believe from Edgar County came to Mattoon and so far as I can learn for no reason whatever shot and beat one Patric Odonal said to be a peaceable and Inofenceive man then proceeded to take up unarmed and Peacable citizens of the Town and vacinity and Farmers who were thair on business. before one Lewis True Deputy [Prevo?] Marshall and under penalty of Death require them to consent to an oath administered by True. what It was I do not know.

They took Charles Nabb from His Residence a Gentleman in the true sense of that term an Old Man near seventy Years Old of the most Ireproachable Caracter one of our most wealthy and Esteemed citizens, neither a Politician or a partisan - a Soldier of the War of 1812 near thirty four years a resident of of this County. amid the jeers and Hootings

of a Rabal of Soldiers inflamed by Whiskey and of Boys - He was required under Penalty of Death to take this Oath.

Judge Constable who was passing through Mattoon was taken by the same Mob and made to consent to the same oath though in doing so He shed tears.

They then took a man by the name of Stephens I suppose a Poor and ignorant man who attempted to run away - and they shot him the Soldier who killed him had the preliminary Trial. was found Guilty of murder. was ordered to be sent to Charleston to Jail. some Military autority then Interposed this man is believed to be still in Mattoon by most of our Citizens. how this is I do not know. the other offences have not been Punished.

Those Soldiers are used by men in Mattoon to gratify thair maligrant feelings Citizens thair have sold thair Property and left. many of the country People are avoiding going thair. Attempes at mobing and threats of Hanging and Shooting Peaceable Citizns with the aid of Soldiers has been common thair for the last five or six months. Should not the [Prevo?] Marshall who administers those oaths by Discharged.

Thare are wretches in Mattoon who are endeavoring to produce Strife Blood Shed and anarchy in this community.

I have written this Letter with no feelings but those that should influence a Patriot and Christian. In the Hope that either the Civil or Military authorities at Springfield may Interpose and save us from the Horrors that must ensue if this thing is not stopt speedily. Peace at Home above allmost all thing is desired by most of us hear.

Excuse me for having troubled you with so long a communication.

Yours Truly

John Monroe

Have you prepared the special Proclamation? Prepare at once

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