Letter from Ira McDowell to Colonel Otto Funke, referred to Mississippi Governor William L. Sharkey; June 1865

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Letter from Ira McDowell to Colonel Otto Funke, referred to Mississippi Governor William L. Sharkey; June 1865

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Each transcribed document contains links that connect it to other documents on the same topic in the collection.

People

Drane, Unknown Funke, Otto McDowell, Ira Sharkey, William Lewis, 1798-1873

Events

Crime Crime--Fraud Political Office--Appointment to office Secession. American Civil War

Military Units

United States. Army United States. Army. Illinois. Cavalry Regiment, 11th

Organizations

Military Headquarters Political Parties Political Parties--Constitutional Union Party (U.S.)Political Parties--Whig Party (U.S.)

Occupations

City Council Members

Places

Mississippi--Choctaw County Mississippi--Grenada County. Grenada Mississippi--Hinds County. Jackson Mississippi--Webster County. Greensboro

Social Identifiers

Secessionists Unionists (United States Civil War)

Page 1

[page torn]eensboro Miss June 22^nd 1865.

Gen. Otto Funke Chief Commander at Grenada, Miss.

Dear Sir.

I hope you will not think I am presumptious in writing to you at the present⁠—I assure my motives are pure and honorable. Myself & others of the Union party of Choctaw are truly anxious in the appointment of offices to be restored to our former positions. We have heard that Hon, W L Sharkey is appointed Military Gov, of the State of Miss—and further that Co^l Drane Secesh and the Secesh Whigs have fused⁠—& gotten up a petition in this County⁠—& many Signers thereto, of said party⁠—to present to the Gov^r for all the offices⁠—of this County⁠—& probably is now on his way to Jackson to present their petition to Said Gov, I wish you to inform the Gov, by Telegraph their intentions⁠—I wish him informed of the facts⁠—so that they will be defeated in their fraudulent designs⁠—I have the umost confidence in our Gov; but I am fearful matters will entirely misrepresented to him⁠—Owing to the fact the bloodSucking Secesh wants the power over us⁠—when two thirds of the County is Union⁠—and no mistake and has been during the war. They have used the rod upon us ever Since the war began⁠—And now they are dead politically⁠—and Know doubt their intentions are to use all chicanery to get in power to defeat the Union men of this County⁠—"Hell and destruction ari never full so with the eye of man" They have got their leading men at the head of the [page torn] to try & carry their

Page 2

designs into effict secretly⁠—We ha[page torn]

met in public Convention and got ou[page torn] list of men appointed for the various offices⁠—that are good and loyal men So I hope that the Federal Government will aid us⁠—in our efforts to have peace and harmony to our once happy Country. I wish a response from you by the bearer⁠—And please send me Copies⁠—of all your late orders

All quiet in Choctaw. I wish you to inform me the proper time to go and see the Gov, at Jackson

Yours Very Respectfully &c
Obt, Sv^t,,

Ira M^c,,Dowell

Page 3

Hd, Qrs. Post of Grenada
Grenada Miss June 23" 65

Respectfully referred to His Excellency W. L. Sharkey Gov. Miss. for his information, with the remark, that there is a large number of Union men in Choctaw Co.⁠—and would earnestly request that their interests be now consulted, in the appointment of Civil officers—

Otto Funke
Col. 11th. Ill. Cav. Vol.
Com^ng Post.