DEAR SIR,--On the 30th of July last I was assaulted by twenty-five outlaws in Texas--with but one _fighting_ friend to stand by me. I gave an honorable compromise, and came forth from my stronghold, in the presence of my would-be hangmen, a daring Republican and a fearless Lincoln man. But it afterwards became necessary for me to leave Texas or be _suspended_. As I preferred dying in a horizontal position, _I left_, came to St. Louis and am now at the service of Mr. Lincoln and _our_ country. If war is made I want a showing in Texas. There are many true and loyal men there. A few thousand soldiers thrown in there to form a nucleus around which the Houston Union men can rally will soon form a barrier to rebellion in the Southwest. When the "ball" opens I would like to be authorized to raise five hundred men to occupy a position on Red River at the mouth of Bogy Creek. What can you do to assist me in doing something of the kind. I will look for a reply to this in a few days. Yours truly, J. E. LEMON. BLOOMINGTON, ILLINOIS, April 16, 1861. COL. W. H. LAMON: DEAR HILL,--I send you the result of a public meeting here last night. We are, thank God, all right.... Secession, disunion and even fault finding is done with in this City. We shall all stand firmly by the administration and fight it out. On last Monday we had a few fights, for just at that time we could not and would not allow a single word of fault found with the administration; the result was that three Democrats got thrashed. Just then we were hearing the news of Fort Sumter, now we are all on one side. I write this that you may know the exact truth about us. If there is any service I can render the government--count me always on hand to do it. Write me if you can get time. Your friend, W. H. HANNA. INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA, April 19, 1861.