March the 31st 1864
Troy gilmer Co W va
To the agannt [sic] generals office[sic]
Dear sir you are aware that in September 1863 the troy home gard[sic] arested[sic] some prisners[sic] as hostages and lockged[sic] them in Harrisville jail for some days and as a mater[sic] of laws the gard[sic] had to board some whare[sic] and as I have been informed Captain P.H. Bush has received the money to pay those bils[sic] and as I have been notified[sic] by the parties to which the money is due that they have not been paid and as I was in command of laws they hold me responsable [sic] for the payment of the same and I want you to inform me what laws to persue[sic] in regard to this mater[sic] Capt P H Bush has has had nothing to him [?] him from paying over this money if he has got it and I want you to write to me as soon as you can and let me know how this matter is
There is another meter[sic] to whitch[sic] I will mention for too telagraf[sic] dispatches $2.70 for whitch[sic] I paid and have not received any pay yours With respect
Lieut David Heckert
Transcription by Shannon Laws, undergraduate student enrolled in Dr. Billy Joe Peyton's Fall 2010 "Introduction to Public History" at West Virginia State University