Virginia Gilmer County
I Philip Cox Adjuctant of the 165 Regt. Virginia Militia, do hereby certify that on the 20th day of March 1862, at the residence of Minter Jackson on Ceder Creek in the Said County of Gilmer. I super intended the election of a captain and two Lieutenants of one of the companies of the aforesaid Regiment, when The votes of all the members of the company present, being given Viva Voce, a majority was found to be in favor of Edwin Norris for Captain and majority found to be in favor of William Brown for first Lieutenant and a majority was found to be in favor of Samuel P. Beckner for Second Lieutant. I therefore certify that the Said Eclum Norris was duly elected Second Lt. of the Said company to fill the Vacancies occaisioned of the said company by the failure of the former officers to take the several oaths provided by law, and that a majority of the persons entitled to vote was present, and That the election was fairly and justly conducted. Given under my hand this 28th day of March 1862. Philip Cox adjn 165 Ya Ma
Transcription by Gary Blackhurst, undergraduate student enrolled in Dr. Billy Joe Peyton's Fall 2010 "Introduction to Public History" at West Virginia State University