Guyandotte Cabell County WVa
May 21st, 1865
To His Excellency the Governor of the State of West Virginia
At the instance of the Commanding Officer of the U.S. Forces at this post, I have the honor to inform you that he has just sent a detachment of troops to Ceredo Wayne County for the purpose of protecting the citizens against the abuses of the state troops under command of James H. Ferguson.
Last evening Abel [illegible] Esq, Delegate, and other prominent citizens of that county waited upon the Commanding Officer here and represented to him the condion[sic] of affairs there as truly deplorable on account of the state troops - they have collected at Ceredo a number of lewd women and are pillaging the citizens to keep them(?) up, as well as personal abuses by them commited[sic]
I would still suggest the propriety of sending the Adjuteaut General to inquire into the condition of things here, as I have no hesitancy in stating that the entire loyal element (except the state troops refered[sic] to) will hear me out as to what has been stated of those troops.
The Commanding Officer requests me to say that he will notify you of his proceeding when ever Lieut Martin who has charge of the detachment to Ceredo has made his report at his Head Quarters
Very Respectfully &e
B.D. McGinnis
Pros. Atty.
Transcription by Jeffrie Carroll, undergraduate student enrolled in Dr. Billy Joe Peyton's Fall 2010 "Introduction to Public History" at West Virginia State University