Philippi Va, Nov 27th, 1861.
Genl. Henry J Samuels,
Sir:
Some weeks since 25 or 6 young men entritic[sic] in this County under the superintendence of Col Abram Simons of this County, for the purpose of forming a Com pany here to be attached to Col Harris' Regiment, (17th) Ten of these young men, namely: Samuel George, John Yeager, Oliver [?], Enos Ninans, Priston Campbell, David Campbell, Seymore Lance, ____ Sipes, John Tallman and Hiram Hewitt, were persuaded by some means to go to Grafton, and all, [?] the last three, to jain join Capt Boremans Company, 7th Regiment. The other three, I think, joined a company commander By ____ as a rail road guard.
Col Harris was here day before yes
terday, and he arranged with me to
have arms and equipment sent
here for a company; and if that
is done we will raise a company
here in two or three w weeks. We
now have 16 and will have 26 if the
10 boys above names are remanded
back here, besides those we may
[?] between now and the time
those boys get back. Please remain
them here, if you have the power to
do so
If you can do so lawfully, please send me by mail a word, if you have any at your disposal, on infantry tactics, also the ruled and articles of 1860, adopted for the US. service. They will be of great service to us here at this time. The work goes on very well here at this time, and I would like to have every facility possible to push forward as rapidly as possible. The books will aid me much.
The malitia[sic] will be organized in a short time pursuant to your order. The steps already taken in that [?] are having the affect in retaliation to volunteering I [?] to you when in Wheeling last.
I am Sir with great
respect yours
Nathan H. Taft
Transcription by James Bailes, undergraduate student enrolled in Dr. Billy Joe Peyton's Fall 2010 "Introduction to Public History" at West Virginia State University