Glenville WVa
December 26 1864
Sir
A few days ago while scouting in Braxton County I captured a two horses from some gurrellas or some rebbel soldiery they had taken the said horses from neer this place one of them I deleverd to the owner a citizen here the other horse belong, to a rebbel gurrella we captured them as they were attempting to run them South The sheriff claims $23.22 cents Taxes against the contraband horse
I have an order from Gen Crooks to capture certain horses and mount my company I think this is order includesd horses of this character
However the animal is verry little use to the service this winter and if you suggest I will sell the animal and pay the taxes to the sheriff and the residue to the Quarter Master General of WVa - rather than have any constututional questions raised about so small a matter There is question as to it being a contraband horse
Yours Respectfully
WT Wiant
Capt for Co Gl
Hon FP Peirpoint Adt Gen WVa
Transcription by John Morrison, undergraduate student enrolled in Dr. Billy Joe Peyton's Fall 2010 "Introduction to Public History" at West Virginia State University