C.H. Kettler to Richard Yates

Waterloo, Ills. March 29. 1863.

Dear Sir

The acts and demonstrations of the Copperheads and Secesh in our Monroe County compell me to address you and ask for aid and instructions. On yesterday I returned from St. Louis, thinking that General Curtis - to whom I stated all the facts - had the power to send a necessary force to our protection, but he informed me: that Illinois did not belong to his Department. General Strong advised me to write to you, therefore I will give you a brief statement of what has lately happened here.

As to my character & standing I refer you to Hon. Lyman Trumbull, O. M. Hatch, Secretary of State, W. I. Conkling, Dr. A. Trapp & Harman Reynolds Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Illinois; I was introduced to you by Gov. Koerner, but of course you cannot recollect every man; I am a German by birth, 29 years in this Country and fought at the battle of San Jacinto, under Sam Houston, at Buena Vista under our late Gov Bessell (of the ([24th?] Ills.) and served as a Captain in the 2nd Mo. Res. Corps in Missouri, Tennessee & Mississippi and am now U. S. Assist. Assessor in the 12th (John Scheell) Assess.District. This I hope will be sufficient, Dear Governor, to introduce myself to you as a good Union man & a Gentleman!

The enemies of our Country, Copperheads & Secesh, the other day held a meeting in the village of Marysville in the lower part of our County, to resist the enforcement of the Conscription law and to protect deserters; they harbor and keep intercourse with Secesh who cross over from Missouri, insult Union men who they call d- Abolisionists, hold balls and have there the tables decorated with Secesh flaggs, undertake to press money from Union men, giving therefore Confed. money and a Certificate that when Illinois is envaded they shall not be molested & robbed;they sing here in Waterloo, which happened on two days last week, Dixie Songs and hurrah for Jeff. Davis. A Union refugee from Missouri was last week shot dead near Marysville, in the American bottom. They will organize a military company, require arms & amunitions from You, to be able "to subdue the d- Abolition Lincolnites!

It is indeed dangerous for Union men & especially Republicans to go on business into the lower part of our County! What fate may await me when going there to assess in May - God knows!

What can You do for us, dear Governor? Could You not make a requisition from Genl. Curtis for one or two companies soldiers to be stationed either in Marysville, 6 m. from the Mississippi river, or at Lilly's landing, nearly opposite Sulphur Spring where several hundred men are encamped! If this is done confidence will be

restored and I am sure our ennemies will be still and kept harmless; if not - an outbreak will come! I don't see how it can be avoided. The principal leaders are James H. Lilly - owner of Lillys landing, John H. Liddell, an acting Justice of the Peace, Dr. Lewis James, Sebatian Berger, Theobald Edinger and Dr. A. L Carabine, all living in the neighborhood of Maryvsville.

The American bottom is the most dangerous place we fear; here in Waterloo and vicinity we can take care of ourselves and protect us, as our Union League numbers about 100 and are ready at any minutes warning

Here, dear Governor, I have given you a true statement of facts and I hope you will act accordingly and show to us the same energy and kindness as you have towards our boys in the field.

Please dont mention my name.

I am Sir

Most Respectfullly

Your obedt servt

C. H. Kettler.

To Hon. Richard Yates

Governor of the State of Illinois

Springfield, Ills.

C H Kettler

Waterloo Ills March 29 63

Says the acts and demonstrations of the copperheads in Monroe County compells him to address the Governor. Says they harber rebels from Missouri press money from union men - visit Waterloo sing secesh songs & hurrah for Jiff Davis - shot a Union refugee last week in the american bottom & are organizing a company to subdue the d- abolition Lincolnites - as to himself he refers to Hon L Trumbull, Hatch, Conkling & others - Genl Curtis had not the power to assist them - hopes the Governor will act - and show them the same energy and kindness that he has the soldiers in the field -

[Ren?]

Recd ExO. April 3rd 1863