J. H. Watt and others to Richard Yates

with Morton S. McAtee letter 8/23/64

Chester Randolph County Ills:

August 23d 1864.

To His Excellency, Richard Yates,

Governor of Illinois:

Sir:. The undersigned Citizens of Randolph County beg leave to submit the following Statement of facts and the accompanying request.

That there is and has been for some time in this State as well as in others an armed secret organization in sympathy with the Southern rebellion and threatening to resist the Execution of the laws of the country and that a majority is there by created for all law abiding citizens to prepare themselves for whatever state of affairs may be brought about by this organization, is too well known to require more than mere reference to it here.

What may be the strength of the organization in this County we are unable to say: but as evinced by the facts that Jeff Davis and the Southern Confederacy are not unfrequently cheered for on our streets and drank to in our Saloons, that disloyal people from Missouri feel no hesitancy in coming here and expressing their sentiments, that powder in considerable quantities has been accumulated and buried in sealed jugs in different parts of the County (a fact which is known on the authority of a man who once belonged to their order), and that there was brought to the recent Democratic Mass Meeting wagons containing arms, to be used in Case the damage done to the Picket Guard Office by some returned soldiers should not be paid for. The Order is as strong in numbers as it is Corrupt in design. At least one attempt has been made here to commence guerrilla warfare, an attempt which was happily thwarted, but the leaders in which were acquitted by a packed jury in the face of positive and unimpeachable Evidence of their guilt and the Conviction of every person that the crime was positively proved against them.

Smuggling has been carried on from this point to almost any desired extent ever since the begginning of the War. We are told by Capt Williams the Lessee of the Ferry that he has often seen contraband articles such as powder salt &c taken across the river on his boat. But a few weeks ago a wagon loaded with salt was Captured near the Arkansas line, which had been purchased and crossed at this place. Shipments of contraband goods are made from St Louis to this place and are then taken over the river at night in skiffs. These facts are notorious but the authority to stop such proceedings rests in no one here. Capt Williams, who is in daily communication with people in Missouri, also states that guerrillas are accumulating in the county opposite this place. A raid into Illinois is not therefore beyond possibility, and in case of a raid we, for want of efficient arms and organization would be comparatively helpless: - not however, because of the number of men that the raiding party might comprise, but for the reason that they would be co-operated with by men on this side of the river, who it is well Known are armed and organized for that or any other purpose that will tend to subvert the constituted authorities of the State.

Of the disaffected portion of this community, those most to be feared are the hundreds of "refugees" who have been driven from the more loyal portions of Missouri and Arkansas and who are now filling every available place of shelter in the county. With these are to be reckoned the irresponsible members of the Democratic Party who have nothing to lose and who for political purposes have been worked upon by their leaders until the state of feeling among them such as the prominent men of the party dare not confront even if the wished to do so.

In view of these facts, which comprise but a small part of what might be said and which, it is believed the signatures hereto appended will be sufficient to substantiate, of the fact that we are surrounded by a set of men, armed and in a state of at least semi-military organization, who design

inaugurating civil war among us for the purpose of revolutionizing the North, and that there may be a rebellious outbreak at any moment and for any cause no matter how slight, we would respectfully but urgently request your Excellency to authorize the organization of a number of companies of Volunteer Militia in this County to be recognized and armed by the State, and the officers commissioned by the Governor, to repel invasion, suppress insurrection, preserve peace and sustain the Laws. It may be that a timely show of strength by the State, will of itself, prevent the developement of any further treasonable designs, but if not, if we are permitted to organize as proposed we will at least be prepared to meet emergencies as they arise. We trust that your Excellency will not pass lightly over the facts stated or the request which we have the honor to submit.

J. H. Watt

C. Montague

Morton S. McAtee

R. B. Servaut

John Parks

C. C. Williams

Hermon. C. Cole

Robert Mann

Refd to Gen Paine with remark that Mr McAtee is a most loyal Citizen

Please return.

Ref. to Genl Paine

Retd

Attended to

H