Steer Creek Wet [sic] V
F.P. Pierpoint, Esq.
Dear sir, After my best respects to you, I beg leaf to inquire what disposition has been made with Those frisianers [sic] in Gilmer Co and held as hostages. a gaints [sic] others taken at Tray Gilmer Co, by the Rebbles [sic] and taken [?] , has their bein [sic] Petition sent to the governor Barman [sic], by The Troy home guard as I understand they intended to do in order to their release and what disposition has been made of their case. I take this liberty to ask for information, as I feel intended in the disposition made of their case, as all union men on the border are objected to a like Treatment. provided retaliation in this manner to be followed up I do hope I will be done for the general interest of our country. That the wisdom of our government can do. Whitch [sic] I have the utmost confidence will be. Will be you so kind as to inform me at your reception of this letter as your earliest opportunity. as I am particularly interested in the release of one. of one, [?] stump, as he is my neighbor and during, the war has been at home regularly attentive to his [?] as a citizen. At the time of the arrest he was at Troy Gilmer Co, having went their to steam mile with grain to get graun [sic] for his father and others in the neighborhood and while their the Rebbles [sic] march their said upon that place and he being their was arrested I made this statement for your information. perhaps you in passion of all this , information and other things connected with the same. As a friend pleas [sic] please answer my inquires as far as consisting with your position yours respectfully,
John Bennett
Oct 16. 1863
F.P. Pear point [sic]
Wheeling, West. va.
P.S.
Direct yours Webbos [sic] Mills
Richie [sic] co. west. Va
If any thing can be done for his release with [sic] other. held for the same. Please inform me.
Transcription by Chad Story, undergraduate student enrolled in Dr. Billy Joe Peyton's Fall 2010 "Introduction to Public History" at West Virginia State University