Peeples and Ridgway to Richard Yates

Shawneetown Ill Aug 16. 1864

To Hon Richd. Yates

Govr. of Illinois

Dear Sir.

We join in a letter with others of our citizens appealing to you as our chief Magistrate to come to our assistance. The letter will give you an idea of the state of things down this way. We feel like orphan children, and unless you hearken to our cry, we Know that we shall get no protection or assistance.

By reference to the map, you will see that the border from Paducah Ky to Evansville Ind say 150 miles is more exposed to rebel attack than allmost any other district on the border. We are in the centre of this: as a Navy District it is under the charge of Lieut. Fitch an Indiana man, who seems to think if he protects the Indiana border it is all that is necessary. He stations at the Evansville wharf 3 vessels, to protect a secesh town Henderson he has one, to protect another secesh town Owensboro he has one. then he has one or two more vessels which lay at Paducah and Smithland: Here in Gallatin, Hardin, Pope, Massac, & Pulaski counties in Illinois, left to take care of themselves, poor devils. and more exposed than any where else on the line.

Aug 16 1864

Mt. Vernon Indiana above us 35 miles, gets a detachment of Uncle Sams blue coats, 6 splendid pieces of Brass Cannon, and for the border of Indiana 75 miles, they have a Regt. (probably 15 or 20 ps Cannon, four or five Gun Boats. In contrast with this the Illinois border of 75 miles. has not a Gun Boat - not a soldier, not a piece of artillery - furnished by the Government. Our gallant Illinois Boys are sent to the front. this little town, the despised black republican hole as the rebels term us, buys her own artillery, her own ammunition, fights her own battles, and to day flaunts the old stars and stripes in the faces of rebels as defiantly and proudly as the glorious old flag waves from any fortress. We don't know but that it is presumption in us asking anything, but if we thought we were entitled to ask, we would like a few soldiers, or one little Gun Boat: with these we might make proper defense against any infamous traitors who assail us. Your friends

Peeples & Ridgway

Peeples & Ridgway

Shawneetown Aug 15 1864

Represents defenseless condition of Illinois border and contrasts it with that of Indiana. Asks for arms and soldiers

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