William W. Holmes to Richard Yates

“Glenwood Cottage”

Magnolia Putnam Cty Ills

His Excellency

Richd Yates

Springfield

Dear Sir /

I am instructed by our union League Counsel 498 of this Village to invite your excellency to address a Mass Meeting of Union Leagues and all friendly to the administration and to the success of our Glorious army and its great Head, our Noble President Abraham Lincoln, Honbl I. N. Arnold has consented to address us also. Mr. Lovejoy if his health permits Mark Bangs & Dick Boal and Frank Corwin. It will be highly gratifying to your innumerable & devoted friends in this part of the state if you shall

find it convenient and your pleasure to grant us our earnest wish, The Meeting is called on Thursday 27th inst, our location is 10 miles N.W. of Wenona & 10 miles E of Henry, also it is desired that your Excellency invite in our behalf Genl J. A. Logan this may seem presumption so great would be the favor of yourself but our cause in these parts is sadly hampered with the copperheads and their insolent crew, and as our Cause is just & Holy as it is that of our Country with entire territory and entire universal freedom, we are emboldened even to presumption to forward such cause as it is one our whole souls is devoted to untill the threatening clouds shall be entirely and forever dispelled, feeling that I know your excellency will look with favor on our request I am Very truly

Your friend

Wm. W. Holmes

Committee on invitation.

If Governor Yates will give our location a moments thought he will see that we occupy a central position from the River Towns of Lasalle, Peru, Hennepin Henry & Lacon and R.R.Towns of Winona Lastant & Tonnica The U.L.A. of all of which as of the numerous interior Counsels are specially invited and up to this time, their favourable responses denote that we may expect a meeting of 3 to 5000.

with great respect

Wm. W. Holmes

an early reply is desired

My Dear Sir /

My heart is full of gratitude to you for your personal devotion to our boys at Vicksburg. I could not close this without acknowledging my thanks to you for your kind offices [when?] my son has been in a degree the recipient for the past year, & is yet in N. but I tire you

W. W. H.

Ansd

Holmes Wm. H.

Invitations (Private)

Magnolia Putman Co

Aug 8 1863.

Invitation for the Governor to attend a Grand Union Meeting to be held on Thursday Aug 27 1863. Wishes the Governor to extend an invitation to Genl Logan.

Recd Ex O Aug 12 1863.