Headquarters Nestorville
Barbour County W.Va
April 26, 1865
His Excellency A.I. Boreman Governor W.Va.
Governor
It is made my duty to inform you of the death of our Captain M.T. Haller who was killed by rebel Bushwhackers on Monday the 27th instantly whole pursuing those marariders who had sabed [sic] a citizen near our camp for the purpose evidently of entering us inside a trap that they had set for; in which they only too well succeeded. There were three in our company killed the captain Groderly Nester & one private [?] T. Martin The number of the rebels that [?] the[?] is variously estimations from the best information he caught on the subject there could not have been less than fifty of them.
There were [?] five our men engaged Governor in time of the calamity it will be necessary for you if it is pleasure to continue the company to appoint a captain to command it we deem it necessary to have the number of men to at least fifty in view of the demonstration that the rebels are making on this county recently and we should not be willing to attempt to continue our service here with a less number. He would respectfully petition you Excellency Therefore to isue [sic] an order to this effect if you think is best not to comply with this request then we position your Excellency to release us from further service.
I have consulted the company with regard to whom they would prefer as captain & they have selected Moose Mcneel as their choice. If it is your please then to increase this company we would most cheerfully recommend him as a suitable person to take command If what we have requested should meet with your probation we would further request that you allow us to have one Lieutenant
I have the honor Sir to subscribe myself your most obedient servant,
John W. England
Sergt. Comdg Barbour Co
State Troops
Transcription by Chad Story, undergraduate student enrolled in Dr. Billy Joe Peyton's Fall 2010 "Introduction to Public History" at West Virginia State University