WEST VIRGINIA
ADJUTANT GENERALS' PAPERS

Union Regiments
1861-1865
Ar382

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3rd West Virginia Cavalry
(Field and Staff, Companies A - M, Unassigned, Miscellaneous)
Box 4, Folder 4

Transcription

General
I take the liberty of addressing you a line in regard to my present position as adjutant of the 3rd Va. Cav.
I have been in the field for nearly three months serving most of the time with one Company of the regiment. I am wholly unable to make up as yet a regimental retinue in consequence of my inability thus far to obtain from company commanders the dates upon which to base a retinue____ It is to be deeply regretted that this want of promptness in company officers, scattered throughout Virginia, and with so may different commanding officers, precludes the possibility of doing that justices to the members of the regiment which is intended by a retinue____ a history of the regiment..

I regret that my present position offers so limited sphere of usefulness____ I went into the service at the opening out of the rebellion with the hope that I might contribute to the downfall of treesun and assist in maintaining the Government of our fathers___ Is it not possible to give me some position whereby I can have more active a more active well as useful field of operations? I do not feel like receiving from the Government the pay of an officer whilst I can render so evnull? as equivalent as my present position offers.
If the Governor has sufficient confidence in me to give me a promotion, I would feel much obliged if he has not. I do not feel like seething in a position that I can be of so little use___ I do not fancy a position, merely for the purpose of holding it and drawing the pay

There is now, I believe, a Battalion of this regiment inthbled? to a Major__ I would like this position if I could have the Battalion together and operate against Inboden? and his mymules? but if but one ? or so is to be kept at a place a majority wouldn't suit me__
After two years service I trust, rendered as my recommendations to his Excellencey for my present position will inform you, is sufficient evidence of abilityes

I merely make the above suggestions to you, and thniylo? you to his Excellency, the Governor___Care I hear from you-

Respectfully
Your Obt. Svt.
Barna Powell
Adjt. 3rd Va Cav
Genl. H. J. Samuels

Reverse side-

Barnee Powell
Romney Va'
Feby 4th /63

Martinsburg, West Va
September 22d 1863
Adjutant General
West Va.
Wheeling W.Va.

Sir;
Lieut. Col. McGee, informed me by letter some time since, that you proposed furnishing him such information concerning the companies of the 3rd Va. Cav. as the records of Your Office afforded.

Will you please transmit the same to me, due in, as I am anxious to obtain sufficient data to enable the newly appointed Officers to be mustered into the service. If you can furnish the address of the commanding officers of companies I may be enabled to procure retinues from them by writing. I do not knew even the names of the Captains mustered into the regiment.

Please give your attention to this matter, it will facilitate bringing the regiment together for organizing, by presenting its true condition in a Regimental Retinue, which had never done with more than 2 companies heretofore.

Respectfully
Your Obt. Svt.
Barna Powell
Adjt 3rd Va Cav.

Reverse side-

Martinsburg Va.
Sept 22d 1883

Barna Powell
Answered

Head Qrs. Def. 3rd V. Cav
Martinsburg, West Va.
September 25th 1863

Adjutant General
West Virginia

Sir,
It has been represented to me, that a communication has been addressed to his Excellency, the Governor, by one Sergeant J.P. Martin, in regard to the recent appointment of a Lieutenant J.P. Johnson of Co. "E" of this regiment in which the character of Lt. Johnson is traduced, and representations made that said Johnson procured a Commission from the Governor, by making statements to the Governor, false in regard to himself and also with regard to the Company.

As Luiet. Johnson is a very estimable young man, and an efficient officer and good soldier, I should be exceedingly sorry that an unfavorable impression should be impressed in the Governors mind as to his character or efficiency.

It is believed that the Governor has been told in the communication that Johnson made false representations at the time he was commissioned, by saying that no Commissioned Officer was with the Company to command it at the time he was appointed.

This statement, if made was true; as Capt. White was, and still is, a prisoner of war at Richmond, and 2d Lieut. D. J. Martin was under arrest and had been since Feb. 12 1863.

I am aware of the fact, presently, that Capt. White spoke to me that he intended to recommend Johnson for Lieut, and I believe suggested to him to purchase certain articles from Lieut. Artis at the time of his resignation.

If compatible, please furnish me a copy, if such a letter as mentioned, has been forwarded to the Governor.

Respectfully
Your Obt, Svt.
Barna Powell
Adjutant 3 V. Cav.
Brig. Genl. F.P. Pierpoint
Adjutant General
Wheeling West Va

Reverse side-

Martinsburg
Sept 25 /63
Adjt Barna Powell
ansd

Martinsburg West Va.
October 5th 1863
Adjutant Genl.
West Va
Wheeling W.Va.

Sir,
Some days since I received a note from you in answer to a note of inquiry of mine, requesting to know the names of all the Company Commanders of the 3 Va. Cav.

In answer to that note the names of ten Company Commanders are given. I was informed by Col. McGee sometime since, that he had learned from the records of your office I think, of nineteen companies having been mustered into, and assigned to his regiment. If such is the case or if any men ^their too^ appear on your records, please let me know them, as I propose making an effort to learn something about the Condition of this regiment, and can do so only by being made acquainted with the names, and stations of Co. commanders.

Respectfully
Your Obt. Svt.
Barna Powell
Adjt. 3 V Cav.
Brig. Genl. F. P. Pierpoint
Adjt. W.Va.

Reverse side-

Martinsburg
Oct 5th /63

Barna Powell

Clarksburg W. Wa.
November 14 1863
Brig. Genl. F.P. Pierpoint
Adjutant General

Sir,
I understand that Lieut. Col. McGee and Colonel Strothers have both recommended me to his Excellency, Governor Boreman, for an appointment as Major in this 3rd Va. Cav. Colonel McGee spoke to me on this subject when I last saw him, and expressed some desire that I should receive the appointment, with a view of having its men in my power to discipline and organize the battalions, which will be formed at Charleston, upon our arrival.

I do not desire to press this matter on the Governor, but, at the time I saw you in Grafton, I thought I would have visited Wheeling, and saw the Governor in person, but as we leave here in a day or two for Charleston, I concluded to drop this line, with the suggestion that is would be well to make an appointment soon, as there will be a respectable battalion at Charleston of four companies, numbering in all near four hundred men.

Will you call his attention at this matter?
Respectfully
Your Obt. Svt.
Barna Powell, Adj 3 Va Ca

Reverse side-

Clarksburg West Va.
November 14th 1863

Lt Barna Powell
3rd Cavy Regt

In regard to the Majority
Of the 3rd Cavy Regt

Head Qrs. Det. 3rd W.V Cavalry
Clarksburg, W. Va.
November 14 1863
Adjutant Genl.
West Va.

Sir;
Inclosed please find Muster in Rolls of
Capt. G. W. McVicker
1st Lieut. McGill Clark
1st Lieut. J. P. Johnson, 3rd Va Cav.

The mustering officer having forwarded duplicates of these rolls, it is presumed he has not retained a copy for your office. If he sends you the same rolls, please return these to me.

Respectfully
Your Obt. Svt.
Barna Powell
Adjt 3rd Va Cav.
Brig. Genl. F.P. Pierpoint
Adjutant Genl.
Wheeling W.Va.

Reverse side-

Clarksburg
November 14th 1863

Adgt Barna Powell
3rd Cavy Regt

Sends Muster Rolls

Charleston, W.Va.
December 27th 1863
F. P. Pierpoint
Adjutant Genl.
West Va.

Sir;
In compliance with your request, I forward you, herewith, as complete a Roster of the 3rd W.Va. Cav. as the data at my command will afford. It is not a very luminous document.

I have spent some time, and consumed quite a respectable amount of paper, in my researches offer information concerning the history of this regiment, and short biographies of the Officers, ___ sufficient to make up a roster ___You have before you the result of my labors. I presume the Officers do not desire a posthumous fame, and hence the retention of valuable knowledge.

Hoping with what you may be able to add from your own ruras? of information, it may aid you.

I am Lmry yours
Barna Powell, Adjt.
3rd W.Va.Cavalry

Reverse side-

Charleston West Va
December 26th 1863

Barna Powell, adjt

Forward roster of 3rd Reg
West Va Co, Cav.

Head Qrs. Det. 3 W.Va. Cav.
Charleston, W.Va.
Dec. 30 1863

Genl. F.P. Pierpoint

Sir;
I take the liberty of troubling you "once again" on the subject of the Majority, and will promise you that, whatever may be the result of this letter, or rather the effect on his Excellency, the Governor, I will not trouble him again on this subject.

I understand that efforts are being made by one, or perhaps two, Captains for this position. Both of which I believe, are good men, and of them I understand are excellent men.

In addition to the recommendations of Lieut. Col. McGee, (who certainly knows me) and Col. Strothers. I think I may fairly ask for the appointment of Junior Major of the regiment as a matter of right, as such things go. The Adjutants of the 1st & 2nd and both Adjutants (Lainy And Goff) of the 3 mounted have been promoted to the Majority. I, of course, would be pleased to receive the compliment of promotion. General, I hardly believe I will be mustered into the service as such. I will feel very thankful to the Governor if he will give me his commission, however

I desire you to present this matter, to him at once and respectfully ask him for me, whether he will make the appointment or not. While I do not wish him to understand my request as either defiant or suplicating, I wish to have the matter set at rest in my own mind. It places me in very embarrassing circumstances to be called on for a recommendation by an officer of the regiment, for the place, while I don't like to say to him I am an applicant.

Will you present this letter to the Gov. and unto me, by return mail what his final decision is, and very much oblige.

Respectfully
Your Obt. Svt.
Barna powell
Adjt. 3 W.Va. Cav.

Reverse side-

Charleston Dec 30./63
Adjt Barna Powell
3rd Cavalry
Ansd Jany 8, 1863

Wheeling, West Va
March 15 1864
Hon. A.J. Borman
Governor, West Va.

Sir;
Learning from the Adjutant General that a vacancy exists in Co "K" 3 W.Va Cav--an although I have no present connection with the regiment, I shall ever, as I do now, feel an interest in its welfare, In view of this fact, I take great pleasure in recommending, to fill the existing vacancy Sergeant Jacob Stirgant?, Co. "D" of that regiment-

This recommendation is wholly unsolicited on the part of Sergt. Stirgant, but knowing his actionable qualities and efficiency, I feel satisfied that there is no man in the regiment who will fill the position in a more satisfactory manner-

I speak from a very intimate knowledge of the facts in this matter, and I will be pleased to hear you give this matter a favorable consideration-
Respectfully
Your Obt Svt-
Barna Powell
Lieut Adjt 3rd W Va Cav

Reverse side-

Recommendation for
Sergt. Stirgant
3rd W. Va. Cavalry

Parkersburg WVa.
April 24 /65
Jacob Hombrooke
Wheeling W.Va.

Sir:
I have been requested by Private Thomas Callahan of Captain C.W. Whites Co- 3rd Va. Cavalry--Over in the general hospital at this place--to write to someone in Wheeling, in relation to a County? bounty, which he alleges is due and unpaid to him from Ohio County--for enlisting to the Credit of their County in the 3 Va. Cav. in the month of August, I think, 1862. The amt which he claims to be due him is $50. I do not know whether you are the proper person to write to in relation to the matter or not, but if not the right person, I presive you can refer this to some person who can give the proper information. The rolls in the Adjutant Generals Office will probably shew to which locality he was credited, and some means are probably accessible to be ascertain whether he has received the bounty--If not how it is to be obtained.

He is now here in the hospital wounded, and having known him while an officers in the regiment he has called on me to assist him in getting this bounty-

This will greatly oblige him by giving this matter attention or placing it in the hands of some one who will attend to it-

A communication to me as the subject, or to him direct will be communicating wherein-

Very Respectfully
Your Obt. Svt.
Barna Powell

Reverse side-

Parkersburg W.Va.
April 24. 1865

3 Cav

Powell Barna

Certificate of muster
Of Thomas Callahan

3rd WV Cavalry