Wm Ellison
Ravens wood W va
Calhoun Co
Dear Sir
after my respects to you I will inform you that I went to see Elswick and Moore them many(?) that I had bought their time in Capt. Kings company and the reason that they did not attend at dog creek was that they had traded their pay to me and allow [illegible] to sign the pay rolle[sic] and draw the pay they thought I could because it was nown[sic] to all the company that it was coming to me but I told them that you would not let me draw it so agree able to the talk that we had they signed a power of attorney for you to do
[Damaged Text] you to sign the pay rolle or do any lawful act that they would be required to do wore[sic] they preasant[sic] I sind[sic] the power of attorney and wish you to attend to it if you can draw the money and send it to me doso[sic] and if you cant do as you promised me you will you will please recollect that I named to you that they wore[sic] threataning[sic] to sue me for a horse that King had captured from and Steephen Starcher anoted Rebel of roan[sic] county and traded it to one of his men I think Joseph Pierson and they now say that the pay rolle[sic] shows it
please examine [Damaged Text] sd King ever accounted for [Damaged Text] more to the state of of w. va She was captured from one Stephen Starcher of Roan[sic] county and I think traded to Joseph Pierson for thirty five dollars and they say the payrolle[sic] show it please examine or get the governor to examine I will now tell you by what authority I took the beast it was by asperial (?) or der[sic] that General Scamron gave to me to proceed to the house where Jos P grose(?) lived and take the verry[sic]horse that King captured from Steephen Starcher and return to head quarters Scamron had command at Charleston at that time and Williams provorse(?) marshall
Ravens wood
[damaged text] orders and have my receipt for the return of the mare and sadle[sic] I thought that they had the power over me and I done it & can prove the whole trans action by good men please give me your opinion what to doin[sic] the case I have acted just as I tell you in good faith send all the papers to Ravenswood Mason county W va september 10 - 1866
Wm Ellison
please send me a copy of my order to make up my company and consulte[sic] the governor a bout[sic] the matter and then write to me direct it to ravens wood
Transcription by Jeffrie Carroll, undergraduate student enrolled in Dr. Billy Joe Peyton's Fall 2010 "Introduction to Public History" at West Virginia State University