A. G. Meacham to G. H. Harlow

Florid Putnam Co. Ill July 2 '63

To the Ill State Sec U.S.A.

Dear Brother in the U. cause,

I herewith report to you state of the Union Cause in this county for the past Month, June.

Our people [(L)?] are quite awake and active in devising measures for Home Protection in case of a rupture. But the difficulty chiefly seems to be that of the want of a knowledge of how to proceed. They can see no adaptation of the State Militia law to our Exigency. We want to organize to defend our homes and to keep order temporarily - not to go into the Government army, nor to drill six years. Neither do we wish our organization to be composed of more than half Copperheads as it would be to organize under the State law. And still further, very many, and indeed some of the best [illegible] being over the proper age and some nomenal invalids, who could do good service would be left in the rear. We want an organization to embrace men indiscriminately - Every man that could do service in case of emergency. But we are at a loss to know whether such organization would be recognized as anything more than a mob.- whether it could be recognized as valid by the proper authorities so as to make its doings legal. Could you furnish us this information? I am fully aware of your crowded moments but could you impart it in few words it would settle our [League?] in this County in this respect and set us to work.

We, the C.C., at our last monthly meeting on last Saturday took measures for organizing a Cavalry Company in this County.

Our Nos. in League are as follows:

Hennepin 104 Magnolia 85 Sprinkleburg 25

Greenville 109 Mt Palatine 45 Senachwine 45

Florid 65 Clear Creek 40 Total 518

Yours for the Union

A. G. Meacham, S.P.C.C.U.S.A.

G. H. Harlow State Secy

A. G. Meacham

Florid

July 2d 1863