Richard Yates to Edwin Stanton

Friday call attention to this letter Governor to Sec. War Aug. 17 1863

State of Illinois Executive Department Springfield Aug 18th 1863

Hon. E. M. Stanton

Sec of War

I am satisfied there will be formidable organized resistance to the draft in many parts of this State. I am further satisfied that whether there is a draft or not there is a settled purpose of revolution in the State. Large bodies of men meet in arms in various parts of the State, in some cases four or five hundred armed men and applaud speakers who advise them to arm + resist. The oppressions

of the Government. Companies and battalions drill by day and night, threatening opposition to the Government. An attack may be expected at any time. Murders and assassinations continually occur. Our state is defenseless. You do not reply to my appeals for troops and arms. You have not answered my letter of Aug 5th. I will again appeal to you either to send arms for the Militia Companies now being organized, or to send an independent force of five or six Regiments to Gen Ammen here - or what would perhaps be the best course send seven or eight of our old Regiments to the State to recruit. I beseech you to consider this carefully and to act immediately.

Rich Yates Gover.