Coalsmouth Kanawha County Wva.
Governor A.I Boreman Dear Sir,
I beg purmission [sic] to introduce to youre [sic] Excelency [sic], the Rev Mr. R Hager on busy mess. I send by him the busy pay Rolls asking you if you pleas [sic] to send the pay due to such as are intitled [sic] to pay as shown on the Rolls
I beg purmission [sic] to present a statement outside the Rolls showing my liabilitys[sic] for the property captured of Rebel Soldiers . Horses Guns Horses 5 , 1 died, By the consent of your Excelency [sic] was was given to William Smith of the Co. who had been robed[sic] of his horse 1 was returned to the owner by him giving hand and security that it should not go again into Rebel Service. I sold for $50.00 & 1 for 80.00 total $100 $150.00 this I can collect the partys [sic] are solvent. If guns I captured 1 proven and taken by the owner it having been stolen I still in my care mot of much value and of none to me. I still kept by AW Bryant . Without my consent the others given to Capt Richmond of Raleigh County..
I regret exceedingly to have to inform youre [sic] excelency [sic] that I received youre [sic] order to disband my men just at 6 oclk [sic] in the eveing[sic] and at 8 the same evening we ware [sic] attackd by the Rebels Capt Smith of the 1 va. Cavl had but few guns they came and got 15 and I never could get but 11 back they got 1 back of Cartridges half full of cartridge what could I do but to let them have them . all was at stake. But they should have returned them. It is not supriseing [sic] that they should otherwise dispose of them. When you remember as I stated when it was done, that one knight [sic] soon after they came here the window of my commissary was broken and some $20-00 of [?] and other valuables taken and afterwards the lock broken clothing I name assome [sic] of the fuels that lieves [sic] me unable to deliver all the guns and [?] as I should. Since those men came here I have lost near $100.00 of my private property beside the government property taken and other citizens have suffered more than I have.
I ordered rations to be sent from Charleston to us at this place just at the time I went to Wheeling and the boat victor No 2. Took there on and lost 1 Brl flour, 1 box soap 1 box candles and other [?] I paid for bad flower 8 dols[sic] for bacon 11 dols [?]
Now I had left in my hands $11-00 when paid before aftercorrecting two mistakes Se [?]
My interests with that of other men are heare [sic] sub[?] and rest assure that allthough[sic] we have lost much of our means we are glad that tis no worse. But no amount of money would bring induement to command Scouts in the Presents of troops
I am ever your most
Obedient Servent[sic]
R. Brooks
Transcription by Jack Stephenson, undergraduate student enrolled in Dr. Billy Joe Peyton's Fall 2010 "Introduction to Public History" at West Virginia State University