T. S. Mather to Richard Yates

Confidential

Washington D C Jany 29th 1861

Hon Richard Yates

Springfield Ills

Dear Sir:

Leaving Springfield on Friday evening last I reached here this morning having been detained twenty nine hours by the reason that there was no train between Saturday night and Monday morning out of Columbus Ohio. I called upon General Scott this morning immediately on my arrival and suggested the importance of having the Arsenal at St Louis defended He informed me that he had ordered one hundred and fifty troops to that point and assured me that he would order fifty more to day He has placed a competent officer in command with instructions to defend it to the last The noble old veteran is pushing forward measures for the defense of the Capitol and said to me that he would defend it successfully or die in the attempt Mr Holt is of the same opinion and were it not for the President they should soon put an end to disunion here

and elsewhere He said that he would never survive the Union he had fought for fifty years under the stars and stripes and under the same colors he would die The old veteran's eyes flashed like fire when he spoke of disunionists. The devils may well fear him. I have obtained the order from the Ordnance Department for the arms and they will be shipped immediately A part of them will come from the St Louis Arsenal and a part from Harpers Ferry The General will head the troops if any attempt is made to prevent either the counting of the ballots for President or his inaguration

The army officers here are true as steel and will do their duty I have also obtained some military works and have ordered them shipped to our place. General Scott advises that the several states should [look?] up their arms and have them taken care of Judge Trumbull thinks matters have about reached their culminating point but he fears that there will be trouble General Scott informed me that he has the best of authority that an attempt will be made by the 4th unless

the disunionists become frightened at the military preparations The companies of regulars arrived at 11 o clock today and a fine body they are too. I shall be at home soon

Yours truly

T. S. Mather

Mather T S

Washington Jany 29 64

Military matters &c

Executive Office Feb 11 64