Francis Mary Hutchinson to Richard Yates

               Gov Yates .................Ramsey Ills

                               Springfield...............Aug 26th 1864

                                                Ills........My Union Friend

As I was writing for that other Lady I thought I would write a few to you for Myself Hoping There will be No hearm. We have had Trouble and Is having Trouble here with Those Low Mean Copperheads that do worse than the Meanest thing a person can Think of treating people as they pleas and Threatening what They will do with Women Murdering Them If they can get a Chance There Is some Two Women Down on Beck Crick that Is and has Turned Union Women to be Copperheads and There Husbands In The service Oh they are To Lowlife To let Walk on gods green earth I hope sincerly that You will have the Influence over the soldiers to take them and put them In Jale In Springfield It is there Intention To kill a Union Woman for In the place of that Copperhead man that was killed over in the (Haricon?) Lake a Union woman for every Copperhead Those Copperheads There Names Is Old Guy Beck Wash Beck Ann Philips and Old Rachel Beck. Ann Philips was a Beck before she was Married And All the Jacksons. They are Devels If I am Aloud to youse such an expression you will Find My words True as True as there Is a God above They have threatened Me and Two other girls Now pleas do not let this be None or me for writing to you becos we thought you could do something To Them God Forbid If I Ever was or will be A Rebble against My Country I Am Not

And There Is Not That man or Woman That can Turn My Mind My Heart pants with Joy to look upon any thing that is a True Patriot Those low Copperheads has turned a Uncle of Mine a Rebble John Philips Which Was once as true I thought as could be but Now he Is My worst Enemy. I am very Sorry but I let him go his Life Is No better than or Not a good as a true Patriot I hope You will get him up there and Make him one Make him own he Is In the Rong I thank the Lord they Cannot Turn me I will close for you will I am afraid throw It to one side Unnoticed but I Do hope you will write to me one Letter a good Patriot letter Do If you pleas write a long letter If you pleas and If you have Not time pleas wate untill you Do get time but Remember Me With a letter I would be so happy

  I Sine Myself  your sincere Friend

         Frances Mary Hutchinson

                   Ramsey, Illinois

      P S  Now keep secret on me for If the Copperheads findes that I have wrote to you They will kill Me.  Remember

  Mr Yates......................Ramsey Ills

         of Springfield.................Aug 26th 1864

                          Ills.  Friend I was Requested to write you a few lines Concerning Things that has happened here In the past  It was about a Man by the name of D. S. Chandler.  his wife Is In sufference of some Money.  It was a long Informed Thing about him belonging To The K.G.C. And him Never going back to the Army For he was  and he was three months at Home sick and was going back as quick as he was Able but Those Copperheads Those Peace Democrats as they Call Themselves Reported him as a Deserter I Think and No that was a Mistake he is as true to his Country as any other patriot as Far as I No.  I Myself have Red his letters that he has wrote to his Companion and They was very good letters  it Is his wish and his companions wish for you to put him Into service and let him Draw His pay for she Is Needy and Treat him as other Soldiers Is treated he will Reanlist but If you can Accomodate This Lady In Doing so She will be very well pleased and Thanks (Due?) to Forever.  I No the Lady and she Is as true a Patriot as I ever seen  Now Pleas Foreward her some Means or way That Her Husband can send her something that she can live on as soon as You can  If you will Pleas write to me soon let me No what you can or will Do For her.  her name Is Emoline Chandler

                                                                                                    Ramsey Ills.

My Adress Is

                     Frances Mary Hutchinson

                                   Ramsey Ills

Hutchinson, Francis Mary

Ramsey Ills Aug 26/64

 Gives a sorrowful description of the depredations committed by copperheads in that vicinity and also an account of the needy condition of Mrs Chandler a neighbor of hers. _ Earnestly requests the Governor to answer her letter.

Write strong letter