W. P. Renfro to Richard Yates

Long Prairie Post Office

Wayne County Ill

May 13th 1864

Honor. Richard Yates

Governor of Illinois

Springfield Ill

Sir excuse the liberty I take of intruding on your more valuable time but allow me the honor to address your Excellncy on the isues of the day and their prospects in this part of Illinois

Your order has gone forth calling for 20,000 Loyal men with brave hearts as 100 days volunteers to suppress the rebelion. But sir I think I see the object more fully than you have expressed it and if so I would to God it were 40,000 thousand instead of 20,000 men? If I am correct in my conjecture and the organizations are made of right material all will be well but if bad

turn over

Praise & Thank him

materials are used our conditions in this section of the state will be awefull indeed

Sir in organizing these regiments you have the right to commission whom and refuse a commission to whom you please And permit me to say frankly (althoug your wisdom is to mine as 1 000 000 to 0) that if Pro-slavery Copperheads, or conservative Democrats or Republicans; or southern sympathysirs or peace men are to control any considerable portion of the 100 day men Illinois is lost to next election beyond any dout or cavil But instead of those named give no comission to any but a radical of unwavering firmness one who knows his duty and will do it

In this part of Illinois as you know Copperheads have the major part, and Copperheads are raising companies and Regiments and as Eternal Vigelance is the price of Liberty I hope all such aspirents for honor and office will be crushed

Now sir I am a merchant of this place doing a very fair business and have no aspirations for office either civil or military unless my country needs my services And if you think my country and the Radical party need me I will accept of the position of Colonel of any of your 100 day Regts and if it is disc[h]arged I will keep up for state defence with your permission

I am sir a will drilled officer In the Canvass of 1860 I made 49 speaches for A Lincoln, R Yates and the whole ticket from President down to const. I spent over $200, in that contest and dont begrudge the money

I am today a Radical and shall support the nominees of Unconditional Union Conventions and shall use all the influence I have to carry that ticket and Commissioned by you to office I now swear before my maker that I never will take a Bush-Whacker a prisoner No Never so help me God

For the truth of my position I refer you to H G McPike of Alton Ill I raised a company of 100 men at Marine Madison county In May 1861 too late to be received in that call and in Aug 1861 I [illegible] 9th Regt Mo vols and was commissioned Capt Company & 9th Mo vols which subsequently became the 59th Ills vols

If you need my services to carry out the plans and designs I am willing to serve as before stated I you do not need me I do not want the commission for my business [pays?] better But I am willing to sacrafice if needed

Honor. Sir answer as early as convenient

Sir I Have the honor to be very respectfully your obedient servent

W. P. Renfro

Renfro Wm P

Long Prairie

May 13, 1864.

Has received Governors order calling for 20,000 volenteers. Hopes Gov will commission no man but radicals and those who know their duty and will do it. He is a radical and shall use all the influence he can to carry the Union ticket.