CCLHP: Deposition of Benjamin J. Wells
State of Illinois
Coles County
Benjamin F. Wells, aged 21 years resident in Hickory township, Coles County, Illinois, upon oath sat that, I was present at a Copperhead drill at Wm. Frazier's in said township in June 1863, and heard Bryant Thornhill make a speech in substance and fact about as follows to wit= In his Speech he told the audience that the Government was about to make a Draft "to the Death" he asked the audience to respond by speaking out, that he might know how many was willing to resist the draft, whereupon quite a large number responded that they were ready to resist. He justified the South, said they were right in fighting for their rights &c.
(Signed) B.F. Wells
Subscribed and sworn to
before me this the 12th day
of April 1864
Geo. W. Teel, Clk. Circ't Court, Coles Co. Ill's.
