Henry W. Williams to Richard Yates

  Gov Richard Yates

This March the 6th 1863

       Sing in times like these when Sivel war is fast (improving?) in our midst I was requested by the loyal men of this County to visit Cumberland to inform you of our condition we are Surrounded by Coperheads on every hand there is at least two Coperhead to one loyal man and we have to gard our houses and take all kind of abuse from them not because we are afraid of them but we dont want to strike the first blow but if there is not sum thing dun for us here we have cum to the conclusion to do sumthing for our selves to be run over by these hell deserven reches any longer we shant. They threaten me very hard because I have been in the bloody 37. Ills vol. and have seen sum of the hard ships on the Potomac  I am not very easy Scart  I have heard the roar of mity Cannon and the hissing Shell and the Clash of Small armes and I am in for the maintenance of the union and Constitution.  here and else where I was allso requested to mantion A mans name who was taken prisner at fort Donilson and took the oath of Alegence and is here now trying to get the people to raise and kill all the union men wome and children in this country we want to know what to do with him you will please let me know

I had all I could do to keep down A mob last knight from going and hanging him and I feel this morning like I had commited A sin by doing so his name is Jesse McCorder we have our mines made up what we will do but wait your advise you will do me the kindness to answer these imperfect lines and if you want me to do any thing in they way of stoping the mouths of traitors in Ills I am ready

                 yours truly

                         Henry W. Williams

                       Discharged Soldier

                address (Laknstown?) Cumberland
                    
                   Co. Ills.  Henry W. Williams

Henry W Willson

Laknstown? Ills Mar 6 1863

Says there are two Copperheads to one Union man in his county. he was a member of the 29th Regt- and if there is not something done to put them down he intends to do something himself.

file

Recd Ex O April 8 1863