Kanawha County West Va.
April 9th 1864
Gov AI Boareman [sic] Dear Sir
I send you this. to inform you that Joseph Holstine Aged 19 years Enlisted and was sworn Jan 10, 1864 and Adison Childress 18 years old and was enlisted. Jan. 27th 1864 was sworn and William L Childress 18 years old and was enlisted Jan. 27 1864 was sworn and Albury Pauly 16 years old and was sworn Enlisted March 22, 1864. All went away yesterday April 8 64 and have volunteered at Charleston into the US service and are promised the large Bounty. But my time will show that they were with me on duty until the 8 of this month.
William Epling Aged 17 Enlisted Jan 10, 64
Milton Adkin 17 Enlisted Jan 10, 64
Cumberland Jones 16 Enlisted Jan. 10, 64 and Hezekiah Turley 21 Enlisted Jan 10, 64 and so badly Ruptured as to be unfit for duty several days while he was with me and Richard Roberts aged 16. and has no father or guardian, and whose Mother was willing for him to be with me, he too went and and was received But is under size as well as age. He enlisted with me Feb 2, 1864. The above named of my Co. having of theyar [sic] our free will taken the Oath required by law, have in total disregard of that Oath went away in debted to the state for they'ar [sic] cloathing [sic] and when they came into the company they ware [sic] so destitute that I had to give one of them some of my own clothing and paged out of my own money to git [sic] something for them to ware [sic] on they'er [sic] you will so that they are not such as the Law allowed to enter the US army, and if the Bourd [sic] of enrolement [sic] is allowed with the Recruiting officers to fill the Rank of the Army with such persons. no wonder that the U.S. Hospitles [sic] are crowded with sick and dieing [sic].
Now I do not by my order or intimation allow any one of the above named to leave the Co, they went without my consent. I now rais [sic] the question, Can any one having volunteared [sic] in the State service at they'er [sic] pleasure voluntere [sic] in the U.S. service while bound to and in debt to the state! While riteing [sic] on busyness [sic] I will say for your information that the Co. is now suffering from mumps measles and hooping [sic] cough. and the loss of the 9 men that has gone away curtails my opperations [sic]. The facts following will show what we are worth as a Co. The rebels themselves say that they fear us far more than they do the US soldiers. and those that have before fed them. now (through fear) [?] and reports against them. and of the many that are at home now will venture to stay in any Reasonable distance of us. Some whole familys [sic] were near to us have had them moved back to Logan, or elsewhere , Capt Pte Carpenter and others have done so. afiew [sic] days [?] one of theyer [sic] Camps on the Trace fork of mend was burned by some of theyer [sic] own friends for fear we would find them lingering there. and then search them.
I will say in conclusion that no intrusion or imposition from any source Shall Stop me from the discharge of any and every duty as fare [sic] as I am able Most atttrochieus [sic] falsehoods are used to US inquiry but although injured the Co will not be destroyed
I am youres [sic] as ever
R Brooks. Capt. Scouts
Bill of Clotheing [sic] issued by R Brooks Capt Comds State troops as follows
Joseph Holstein
| 1 Blanket | 1 GrT Coat, | 1 Blouse, | 1 pr pants, |
| 2 pr drawers | 2 wht shirts, | 1 Gr shirt | 1 shoes, |
| 1 hat |
Adison Childress
| 1 Blanket, | 1 Grt Coat, | 1 Blouse, | 2 pr shoes, |
| 2 wht Shirts, | 2 pr Drawers, | 1 Hat, | 1 pants, |
| 1 Gr shirt |
William L Childress
| 1 Blanket , | 1 GrT CoaT, | 1Blouse, | 2 pr shoes, |
| 2 wht shirts, | 2 pr drawers, | 2 pr pants, | 1 Gr. Shirt |
Asbury Pauley
| 1 Blanket, | 1 Grt Coat, | 1 Blouse, | 1 pr pants, |
| 2 wht shirts, | 1 gr. Shirt, | 2 pr drawers |
Hezekiah Turley
| 1 Blanket, | 1 GrT Coat, | 2 blouses, | 1 pr pants, |
| 2 wht shirts, | 2 pr drawers, | 1 Hat, | 1 shoes |
William Epling
| 1 Blanket, | 1 GrT Coat, | 1 Blouse, | 1 white Shirt, |
| 1 pr pants, | 2 pr shoes, | 1 Hat |
Milton Adkins
| 1 Blanket, | 1 GrT Coat, | 1 Blouse, | 1 pr pants, |
| 2 wht shirts, | 2 pr drawers, | 1 Hat, | 1 shoes |
Cumberland Jones
| 1 Blanket, | 1 GrT Coat, | 1 Blouse, | 1 pr pants, |
| 2 wht shirts, | 1 pr shoes, | 1 Hat, | 2 drawers |
Richard Roberts
| 1 Blanket, | 1 GrT Coat, | 1 pr pants, | 2 wht shirts, |
| 1 pr shoes, | 2 drawers, | 1 Hat |
Coals Mouth W.Va
April 9th 1864
RHM Smith 1st Sergeant
You in your wisdom can direct what to doand I think that an interview with Gen. Kellys A gem would result in the sloping of trouble.
Enclosed pleas [sic] find the several bills of Clothing charged to each.
I was compelled by theyer [sic] destitution and the cold wether [sic] to make liberal issues to prepare them for duty.
[?] quarters and so on has lost more than $50.00 and we can Recruit and keep a Co and will do it.
Pleas [sic] execuse and still instruct youre most Obedient Sergent
R Brooks Capt Scouts
N.B. Epling
Adkins
Jones
Turley & Roberts. Left March 25 64
Transcription by Jack Stephenson, undergraduate student enrolled in Dr. Billy Joe Peyton's Fall 2010 "Introduction to Public History" at West Virginia State University