Milton Hathaway to Richard Yates

February the 17 1863

Mr Yats Govener of the State of Ill

Sir

I take this privalage to give you mi oppinion about the afairs of this County in regard to the reblion we hav bin watching them for sum time prety close and from the sine of the times we think that thair is somthing brewing and we air at a lose to now what ot do for we think that tha intend to rebell but I am hapy to inform you that thair is a good meny that is willian to sacrifise every thing for to susstaine the Goverment and am all so hapy to tel you that we feel thankful to you for the intrust that you hav taking in trying to put down this hellish rebelian and am hapy to now that thair is as good stuf left in the State as has left it but we want to be redy when tha come we believe that tha air Orgnizing them selves now here in egypt you air awair that hear is the place whear the will make the brake and will be able to do harm if we air not redy to meet them and we wish your appinion how we shal procede we hav no armes except som few has a small rifle we dont meen for you to send us arms but to let you know that we air in pour fix for the work but we feel our selves able for our task

we would like your advice if you pleas

Randolph County Ill Chester po

Milton Hathaway

And Mar 7 63

Milton Hathaway Chester Randolph Co Feby 17th 1863

Wishes to know what he can do towards helping to put down traitors at home?

[illegible]letter Write him thanking him & promising to write again or the like