A. B. Cherry to George H. Harlow

Colchester Illinois June 30th AD 1863

Mr George H Harlow

Dear Sir

I communicated with you sometime with Refrence to haveing some persons arrested for Disloyal practices in this town but since that time other offences have occured that sink the first into insignificance I have just finished Enrolling Sub District No 14 in McDonough County fequent and almost undisguised attempts were made to take my life not only that but I find that there is great number that are armed and headed by desperate men of this County & Handcock but principly by Reffugees vagabonds Bushwhackers from Missouri that will inside of 3 months certainly precipitate A large portion of this Country into and armed Struggle they Boldly Say that they will have help from Prices Army as soon as they can get the Ball started here Now the fact that there will be a general outbreak here is so apparent that no Loyal Man can turn a Deaf Ear to the facts but that is not the worst feature of it this day those bold traitors are all armed and are hurrying up the conflict before Union men can get armed Last Knigh the hous where I Bourd was attacted by persons with the evident intention of Calling me out but when it had the effect to Stir up some 6 or 8 beside me it was thought best to order A hasty Retreat 6 of them was seen to take opposite directions but this is only A personal Matter or I mean to say that it was ment for me only but it is the forerunner of A general outbreak Now we have A Union League here numbering Some 150 Strong Charter No 186

Now our Boys want firearms and we would like to have you inform us how to get 50 to 100 of them the Cheapest and how to proceed to obtain them I hope you will please to answer this verry Soon as I am sure the Necesitys in the case Require prompt action

I Remain yours verry Respectfully A B Cherry

Presiden of the U L A of America

No 186 Colchester McDonough County Illinois

NB Address A. B. Cherry, Colchester,

McDonough County Illinois

A. B. Cherry

Colchester

June 30, 1863

Ansd July 3

Arm yourselves & form independent Cos