J. W. McEathron to Richard Yates

Lena Ills Augt 23d 1864

Hon Rich Yates

Respected Sir

Yours of 19th is just received with muster rolls & Election returns. What amount of Security is needed, and are the men to be used anywhere in the State, if So we could not get up a Company. We can get them up for Home Guards And in case of urgent necessity they could be used as Volunteers doubtless Anywhere in the states for a very Short time As All the Available union men are in the Army. And I have just been making out a list of Voters for the Central Committee And find that we have only 42 Union Votes in the Majority in this town Please to answer So Soon as Friday As our organization meets on Saturday evening

Yours with much Respt

J W McEathron

Mc Eathron J.W.

Lena. Aug 24th 1864

States that the muster rolls & election Returns have been received---that they can raise a compy for "Home Guards" but not subject to duty anywhere in the State.

Write him Militia will not be called out of state

Aug 25, 1864 Ansd H

Answered Aug 29th

P.