William Rickcords to Richard Yates

His Excellency Gov. Yates Springfield Ill

Mc Leansboro Nov. 16th 1863

Dear Sir

The officers elect of this county viz

Green W. Burton Circuit Clerk

W.P. Sneed Assessor

Leonidas Walker School Comm

Saml. E. Flannigan Surveyor

are all unmitigated copperheads the last Flannigan(who must not be confounded with his cousin Saml E. Flannigan a good Union man) was one of the gang who broke into the enrolling officers house for the purpose of destroying the papers and has publicly hurrahed for Jeff Davis. Would

it be inconsistent to requires some officers to take the oath prescribed by act of Congress July 1861 as our present officers are also copperheads I have reason too believe such oath was required of the elect.

Very respectfully

Wm. Rickcords

Rickcords, William Mc Leansboro, Ills. Nov 16th 1863

Mentions names of county officers recently elected. All violent copperheads. Asks if they can not---or should not be required to take the oath of allegiance

Answered Dec 15th. excusing delay & informing him that the Act of Congs appr Aug 6/61 only refers to officers in the US service H