William R. Wilkinson to Jesse K. Dubois

Friendsville, Ills Wabash County August 4th 1863

Hon Jesse K Dubois Springfield

Dear Sir

Since the Raid on [Olny?] on the night of the of the 21 [illegible] the Southern Sympathisers Seem bent on mischief, they are organizing into Military Companies and meeting for drill every week openly and above board - a company meets every Saturday on Suckers Prairie Lawrence County, they may understand they intend to resist the draft unless some Copperhead Judge pronounce it Constitutional

No Judge it does appear to me our State Executive should take some steps to [break?] up this den of traitors. If nothing else why not distribute some arms amongst the Union men. Our League is over 100 Strong all true men but have no arms. In the county we number at Least 400 and as many more who are right on the union question. We have take an [illegible] [illegible] of small arms at Vicksburg & else where lately & I should think arrangements might be made with the federal authorities to have arms distributed among loyal men in the north & Especially in [Egypt?]

I would Suggest that a few hundred you [illegible] be sent to Mr. T. J. Shannon or J T [Japress?] at Mt Carmel for distribution in some form I think that itself would be sufficient to deter them from any overt acts.

I hope His Excellency Gov. Yates will adopt some prompt measures to arrest this growing evil. If these Companys are allowed to go ahead unmolested others will organized in a short time. Indeed I have already heard that an other Company is to be organized in our County in [illegible] [illegible] immediately there is not a loyal man amongst them such men with arms in their hands are certainly dangerous in times like these especially when they are so badly disaffected towards the State and federal authorities.

I write to you on this subject as you are better acquainted with the locality as well as the [Benpas?] material & can give the Governor a correct understanding of both.

Yours for Union & Freedom

Wm R Wilkinson

Answer Fully & show me answer & file "Rebellion"

[illegible] Aug 20 - 63.

Revolution (separate [illegible] Friendsville Ill August 4 63.

Since the raid on Olney the Copper heads seem bent on mischief. they are organizing and drilling openly above board. thinks the State Executive should take some steps to break up these dens of traitors. if nothing else but to distribute arms to the Union men. Thinks the Governor should draft some prompt measures to arrest the growing evil.

"Answer fully & show Governor answer & file "Rebellion"

Recd Ex O Aug 18 1893