Troy Aug 5th 1863
Dear Sir
Perhaps I owe you an apology for not writing [?] this. The appointment that you sent me was unexpected. my object in the first place was to get some instructions how we should proceed to get armes for a home yard when I received your instructions to rais a scouting company I had some dubts whether the company could be raised or not. I have been recruting and have got about half of the comp=any raised. And I think the rest can be had in a fiew days
I am under obligation to you and all others engaged in giving me the ap=pointment of Capt. I shall have to decline accepting the office on the account of delicate health I am will=ing to do anything that I can to put down this rebellion, and exterminate horse thieves, my health is such that I could do the office justice you have [?]
I would cheerfully recommend to you Daniel E Steinbeck as being the right man in the right place he has every qualification to fill the office, he is a citizen of our county has considerable property his int=rest is identifyed with ours and he is the chois of the people of this county and I hope it will be your good pleasure to give him the appointment
Very Respectfully
Your obedient servant
W.W.Warder
I have just under stood that the appointment of Capt. for a scouting party company for Gilmer County has been tendered to a Mr Law of Ritchie if I would not accept I would prefer holding on to the office if we cannot get a man of our own county Mr Laws intrust is not with ours
I am yours [?]
W.W.Warder
A.G. J.P. Peirpoint
Transcription by Byron Holmes, undergraduate student enrolled in Dr. Billy Joe Peyton's Fall 2010 "Introduction to Public History" at West Virginia State University