John Olney to Richard Yates

Shawneetown Illinois April 15th 1861.

To His Excellency

Richard Yates

Gov. State of Illinois

Sir: We have received information that Fort Sumpter has been surrendered to the rebels. At Uniontown Kentucky on the Ohio River twelve miles from here they this morning were firing cannons in Honor of the victory of the C. S. A.

Our people are for the Union We have no party feelings We are simply for the Union. Our Republican flag is flying on the Democratic pole in front of our town. We may have trouble here. But whether or not we want to be prepared for emergencies and also to manifest our devotion to the Stars and Stripes.

At the Request of Captain Michael K. Lawler of this County I write to you, to request that you will send to us a Battery of Artillery. The Captain knows how to serve the Guns and drill the men. He had command of two Companies in Mexico

One of volunteer Infantry and one of Cavalry. He wants to organize one or more companies (volunteer) but wants first to know if he can get the guns. If you cannot furnish a full Battery can you not send us one piece or more. There was a brass gun captured at Cerro Gordo by the 3d Regiment; most of the men of that Regiment were from the South part of the State. Captain Lawlers Company were in the thickest of the fight and helped capture this Gun, at the place where Sheilds fell. This gun was presented to the State. Could you lend this gun to the Capt. as Brigadier Gen for his Brigade

There was a full set of Infantry Equipments here in the possession of Capt. McCaleb and one set of Cavalry Equipments in possession of Capt. William Hicks. McCaleb & Hicks are both dead The arms are scattered about Would it not be well to send an order to Capt. Lawler to collect and preserve them.

Capt. Lawler is Brigadier General of the Militia of Pope, Hardin, Gallatin

Saline & Hamilton Counties His Commission is dated in 1844 February or March. He is for the Union and for fight and is the true grit.

It may be there are no arms in Springfield, but if there are not, certainly our State can procure them, and if they would be furnished to any part of the State, you certainly cannot and will not refuse them to us here. Please advise me what you can do as soon as possible

If there are any books of tactics in Springfield to be distributed, Will you please send them to Lawler, or to me for distribution.

Last week I attended Circuit Court at Harrisburg Saline County A great many people of that County were in attendance on the court and they are all for the Union and the enforcement of the laws.

Also I was at Elizabethtown last week

I was told that there are two Secessionists in the County and that they must "dry up' or leave. The people of those Counties are all right and this, Gallatin county is perfectly sound. It is a general thing in Egypt The people are anxious to have the Union preserved and traitors punished

Yours

John Olney

John Olney

Military