July 13, 1861
For the Enquirer
PRINCETON, MERCER CO., VA.,
July 1, 1861
Sirs: Seeing but little in your paper from Mercer, the county now furnishing so many men for the war, I give you the outlines of this proceedings last Saturday, (that being the day of general muster.) Although Mercer has now in the field 105 men under Capt. Richardson and two other companies, Capts. Dorman's and Ryan's, which number about 100 men each, and expect to leave in a few days; yet there being a call made for volunteers, right upon the spot sixty or seventy men fell into line, saying they were ready for the Yankees. I think if the war does not stop very shortly, the General Government will have to refues to receive Mercer volunteers or there will not be five men left in the county who are able to bear arms. The number of militia in the county is about 930.
Yours, Ja
Timeline of West Virginia: Civil War and Statehood: June 1861