W. J. F. Stephens to Richard Yates

(Confidential)

Jacksonville, Ills 12th Aug. '64

His Excellency, Gov. Yates, Springfield, Governor!

Monopolized as your time is, by the duties of your office, in a momentous crisis like the present, I should look upon it as an unjustifiable liberty in any man to desire to appropriate the unsullied share of your attention, except on business of very grave importance. And this, I am apprehensive, in the character of the subject of this communication.

I do not think I possess a nervous temperament, nor do I desire to be considered an alarmist, still, I think, from many ominous signs, it is impossible to shut out the conviction that there are "breakers ahead," and I believe this presentiment is strong in the minds of many-many of our citizens

of our most thoughtful and by no means timid men.

My wife has a very large number of relatives in this county, who, I believe, with a single solitary exception, are copperheads. I hold no intercourse with any of the tribe, but occasionally, "16" S. is thrown among them. From the information she has gleaned from some of her nearest & most reliable connections, there undoubtedly is a deep-lived & extensive plot among the so-called Democracy to "<u>do mischief" at no distant date; & Jacksonville is marked by these, as a doomed citey.

Hugh Campbell, the man who was killed by young Church, was formerly a scholar of [illegible], & a son-in-law of my wife's oldest sister. Although a person of bad character, in some respects, his fate is sympathized in very extensively, by the people of Apple-creek & elsewhere. His death, they say, was caused by "Black Republicans", & they - his sympathizers, - will have revenge.

I am an officer of the Union League, in Jacksonville, I have opportunities of learning facts of a truly startling character, but which, of course, cannot be divulged, at present. When the question has been put - "does govr Yates know about these things." - the response is ="of what consequence would it be to inform him? He has no means of arresting the threatened danger, & is an helpless as a private individual, in the premises"

Now this may be, I do not know, but I have reason to know that there are very many persons in Jacksonville, - goo union men, who want to do good service, in an emergency, but who, like myself & two sons, - lads of 18 and 16 years of age - are too poor to furnish themselves with arms. - I respectfully ask if we cannot be assisted with arms.

It may be that the information contained in this communication, has been forestalled. But whether it has or has not, I do not presume to counsel your Excellency and merely trust - that - in the event of a

crisis overtaking us, your head and heart may prove fully equal to the occasion.

I am Governor, Yours very respectfully,

W. J. F Stephens

P. S. I have heard through reliable sources, that the attempt to enforce the draft will be the signal for a combined and general onslaught by the traitors. If no outbreak should occur in our town previous to Church's trial, the fiendish copperheads in this County, (we have been confidentially advised), will take that opportunity - should Church be acquitted - to show their hands. I do not think Church will be acquitted for obvious reasons, - but I believe, should he be declared guilty, an attempt will be made to release him. His enemies are aware of this [picture of hand with thumb and index finger pointing] I am told Jacksonville is overflowing with "suspicious strangers", as they are termed. W. J. F. S.

Stephens, W. J. F., Jacksonville Ill Aug 12 1864

Is fearful of a general out break at Jacksonville and wants to know if Gov. Yates can do something to prevent it. Thinks it will occur at election.

Aug 19- 64 Ans is directed within H

File

Answer

That every U.S.A. member should be at his [port?] - & then I will write him more fully as soon as certain questions are decided at Washtn.

Jacksonville