Troy. Gilmer County West va Feb 12 1864
[?] F. P. Pierpoint, Dear sir
you sent me An order for capt of an independent company of scouts for Gilmer county which is the very thing we want in this county I very sorrow to say that it will Be out of my power to comply with the Request of the governor from the fact that I am engaged tanning Busimp + have no person to attend to the Busimp for me And I think Lieutenant David Heckert is the man from the fact that he has Recruited 1000 twelve men that then sovereign and sent on for A comision [sic] which he had Been looking for Eversince now I think he is the man to take charge of the company from the fact that he is stout + hearty man + one that will go through with what Ever he undertakes + he will give this people satisfaction now I hope you will not Delay But send him A comentive [sic] immediately As he will have no trouble in getting up the company this I hope will be strictly attended too yours very Respectfully
D. F. Stienbeck
Transcription by Chad Story, undergraduate student enrolled in Dr. Billy Joe Peyton's Fall 2010 "Introduction to Public History" at West Virginia State University