Warren H. Kneeland to Richard Yates

Pana. Christina Co. Illinois March 9th 63

To His Excellency

Richard Yates

Governor of Illinois. Sir, You may think it strange to receive this my second letter. but hoping you will pardon my troubling you again, I will proceed. We are in the mitsd of rampant secessionists here, and the time will sooner or later come to take decited action against them, in what way will have to be determined to overpower them, and teach them such a lesson that will for ever put a quietus on their actions will have to be determined. There are a considerable number of deserters here. in this section of Country. the most of them reside in the vicinity of Lower Hill and a place called "the Knobbs" about seven miles east of Pana in Shelby County. and it is now decleared in public in that there is a combination of over two hundred men who have banded themselves together under the oaths and penalties of the Knights of the Golden Circle. to protect and defend the deserters and to oppose the enforcement of the Conscript law. I have it from reliable authority that they are well armed, and it is the general belief that Councils of the K. G. C.'s are established throughout this whole region of Country, and all the available firearms have been collected, and bought, and

old ones broken and out of use for many years have been repaired. Pistels have been lately bought in considerable quantities by the enemies of the Government, together with amunition &c. &c.

This is the true state of the case, and for the present there is a large majority of the enemies of the Government in this section of Country, as you are aware. Ever since the Legislature of this State promulgated its treason, the clovenfooted olighargy threw off the mask, and came out boldly for treason and disunion. The Union men here are preparing as best they can and are keeping a vigilent watch on their movements, and should you through the adjutent General call for the names of these deserters, and their locality they will be furnished. There are Union men living in their vicinity, and every man will do his duty I have no doubt, in ferretting out their names. and report them. How long these deserters are to run at large, and union men to be insulted by the open yelling for Jeff Davis, and bidding open and treasonable defiance to the Government, with the most vulgar and shameful epithets to be heaped on inoffensive union men, and the dastartly abuse of the administration will have to be seen. What can we do, answer echoe's nothing

The officers that have to administer the laws and are to faithfully execute them are enemies to the government and no Union man has any law or Justice done them either in a civil criminal case.

There might a very sad affair have occurred in our then secession village last week. A man by the name of James Conner a quiet and peaceable union man and set upon by a man by the name of John Mount. an open and violent secessionist, for which Jeff Davis himself can not out strip him, for the abuse of our Government. This Mr Mount fallowed Mr Conner and used such profane and vulgar language that has very seldome a parallell in the catalogue of profanity. Mr Conner turned upon him, and requested him to take it back. Mount refused, upon which Conner drew forth a Revolver, and bursted five caps at Mr Mounts devoted Carcass. This raised a great excitement and the K. G. C.'s came to Mounts rescue, well armed, and why there was no more blood flowed I cannot account for it. Mr Conner went out about two miles, at night a rabble with a constable went out to take him. making the welkin ring with Shouts of Jeff Davis. Conner did not resist, nor attempted to get away, but went peaceable and was bound over in $300.00/100 to answer at Court. the bonds were promptly executed. He will stand his trial but if so in the secession Court at Taylorville you may very well know the result. and in all probability your Excellency will have the honor to consider his case.

As I stated, our village when this affair was committed was a cesession village but last tuesday an election came off the corporation officers. Every man that was elected was Union the Majorities ranged from two to thirteen this was a severe blow. The first time the so called Democrats were ever defeated since this village was a corporation

There is a young man by the name of Kellem who had enlisted last summer, and induced several others to volunteer He with others deserted and this Kellem I am told is now indusing men to desert, and is the most active man in forming this combination at Tower Hill to murder, and massacre - all officers and men who may arrest deserters, and enforce the conscript law.

There are many Union men here who are poor, and have their families to mentain, and cannot arm themselves would there be any probability to get arms from the State. I tell you Sir, the Union men are true, but if things remain with these lawless proceedings much longer there will such measures be taken that either one of the other parties will have to vacate the country. One word of encouragement from you will do much to encourage the Union men;

Whatever you may write or encouragement you may give. will be kept a secret strictly and honorably, until such time that the country can be cleared of these men. They Union men here are praying the time may come when you or the proper authorities will send a company or Regiment. to take deserters. similer to those that Governor Morton of Indiana has established through General Carrington. We have heard here that Gov Morton has procured arms for the citizens to protect them selves. If you have any for us please to inform us, and reliable measures will be taken to procure them

yours to "Mentain the Union"

Warren H. Kneeland.

P. S. I refer you to H. D. Brigham formerly of Springfield who now resides here. with whom you are probably acquainted. Also to O. M Baldwin Esq. Postmaster at this place, also the Rev W. H. Russel all of which are good Republicans, and good Union men, as to my statements, if you should doubt them

They are all true men. them with myself were then among the few who supported you for Governor, and Mr Lincoln for President, I should be pleased to hear from you, and should you be pleased to answer my letter will you please inform me if W H Herndon Esq Attorney at law is still in Springfield practising law. and if he is still a good Union man

We wish to procure his servises to defend Mr Conner. at his coming trial.

W. H. K.

Warren H Kneeland

Pana Christian County Ill

March 9 1863.

writes in regard to the condition of affairs in his portion of the country. Says there are many vile traitors in his county but a large majority of them are true to the Union, wishes a word of encouragement from the Governor