W. W. Warner to Richard Yates

Colona Station Henry Co. Ills. Nov. 1st/64

To His Excelency Gov. Yates:

Dear Sir: on Monday last I mailed from Moline to the engineer in Chief at Springfield a Requisition with bond &c for equipments for a military company organized in Western Henry Co. under the Militia law. As a Volunteer Infantry Company. A few weeks since when in Springfield I stated the necessity of the organization & arming of such a company at this point, but neglected repeating it when I sent the requisition.

I will here repeat breifly some of the reasons why I urgently request the arming of this company as soon as possible. 1st. Every man in the Company is strictly Loyal. 2d Joining Western in Rock Island County, in Coal Valley Township is an armed organization of Traitors headed by B. G. Wright. Also joining us on the North is the only disloyal township in Henry Co. and in it Jacob Sharp a justice of the Peace, has made his boasts that he has an Hundred men armed and ready to wipe out us "Lincoln Usurpers". 3d Hundreds of the Prisoners from Rock Island who have taken the oath & enlisted in our service, but have been rejected on account of Physical disability

are scattered among our farmers. They are all McClellen men, and claim the right to vote we deny it for altho they have resided in our state a year yet it was mostly a forced residence, they having been here voluntarily only since taking the oath.

If we are unprepared we may have trouble from refusing them the priveledge of voting - it has been threatened.

P. L. Cable one of the richest and most influential Traitors in Rock Island addressed a company of about fifty of those discharged prisoners yesterday advising them to hire out only to democrats as they were their friends &c. I might say more but it is not necessary, you will understand our case. We wish to be prepared in time to prevent trouble.

I would have come down instead of writing but am working for Abe & Andy & supposed it not to be absolutely necessary for me to come.

Put down Henry for 1500 majority & Rock Island for 500.

The Muster roll &c I sent to Gen'l Fuller. If it is necessary for me to come down in order to procure the arms, a line to me at Colona, if you will send it, & I will come down at once.

Most Respectfly

Yours W. W. Warner

Warner W. W.

Colono Station,

Henry County, Ills,

November 1st 1864.

Mailed Requisition and Bond for Company organized under the Militia Law of the state, requires arms immediately to protect themselves from Guerillas and Traitors

Office Engineer in Chief

Springfield Nov 3d 1864

Respectfully referred to his Excellency Gov. Yates

(signed) W. D. Crowell

Col and Engineer in Chief.

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