From Co. F, 8th Illinois Cavalry

The following letter clipped from a Pekin paper, was handed us by a friend, and as Mr. Williams used to be a resident of this place, we publish it. Mr. W., We understand, has been promoted to the Captaincy of his company.

“The following extract from a letter from Lieut. Ed. L. Williams, of Co. F, 8th Ill. Infantry, will interest many of our readers. – Lieut. Williams has been in service in the old 8th for twenty-six months, and his unflagging courage, patriotism and confidence should put to shame the weak, cowardly or treacherous politicians of the copperhead peace party at home.

“Politics in our army corps has “played out.” We are of one mind – Union, the preservation of our country. Talk of a peace without the restoration of the seceded States! The citizens of the South, those that I have conversed with on the subject, all tell me they will accept no terms of peace without the recognition of the Southern Confederacy.

An armistice at this time would do more towards strengthening the South than all our victories have done against her. They could repair their arms, railroads, &c., in fact, could work wonders toward that end they look for. We are for pushing the war vigorously to the end. After fighting for two years shall we stop now and recognize the Southern Confederacy? After all the blood that was shed at Donelson[,] Shiloh, Corinth, Pea Ridge, and Murfreesboro, shall we calmly stop and give them what they ask? NO, rather battle a century than do that! – All we ask for is that support our friends at home can give. When our ranks are thinned by disease or battles, fill them up, and take care of the widows and orphans who are made so by the war.

What do the loyal people of the North think of the Copperheads writing the letters they do to the soldiers. I will send you a specimen of one which was written to a brother in my company. If the writer only knew with what contempt the letter was read he would never write such a one again. I have the young gent’s name, but I will only send you the initials. I give you the letter verbatim.

[SEE: From A Young Copperhead in Pekin, To His Brother In The 8th Ill. Infantry.]

– Published in the Stark County News, Toulon, Illinois, Thursday, June 4, 1862