William H. Pierce to Richard Yates

Wm. H. Pierce,

School Commissioner,

Monmouth,

Warren County, Illinois

POST OFFICE,

Monmouth, Ill., Mar. 5th 1863

To His Excely Gov Yates

Dear Sir

Since I wrote you yesterday I have been called upon by Mayor Harding of this City and also Draper Babcock Dep Col of this district who inform me that Gen E. A. Paine is to return home next week to remain & I fully concur with them that he is the proper man for Provot Marshall. Preparations are extensively made by the Copperheads to resist the draft and with his Military prestige experience and sagacity, it cannot be doubted that he would enforce the law with less opposition than any man that could be named in the district Over 100. Cavalry pistols were taken from the Sheriffs Office last night A large lot of flints were purchased at a Store in the City yesterday by a noted Copperhead in the country. The Sheriff, claims to have no knowledge of the exit of the pistols, but our folks knowing his proclivities, do not believe it. I need not add more

Truly Yours

W. H. Pierce

PM

W. H. Pierce,

Monmouth, Ill.

March 5, 1863.

Ansd March 10.

Gen. E. A. Paine is to be home and says he is the man for Provost Marshal; Copper Heads are preparing to resist the the draft; over 100 horse pistols were taken from Sheriff's office a few days since; and a noted Copper head from country bought a large lot of flints from a store; such a man as Paine is needed.

Write to Pierce that he has been [recmded?].