WEST VIRGINIA
ADJUTANT GENERALS' PAPERS

Union Regiments
1861-1865
Ar382

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3rd West Virginia Cavalry
(Field and Staff, Companies A - M, Unassigned, Miscellaneous)
Box 4, Folder 1

Transcription

August 22nd 1863
To his Excellency
Gov. Boreman, W.Va.

Sir
Permit me to respectfully call your attention to the claims of Capt. S.B. Conger commanding squadron of the 3rd Va. Cavalry attached to this Brigade.

Capt. Conger has served under my command since the Battle of Chancellorsville, at Beverly Ford, Gettysburg, and all the Cavalry engagements of the Maryland Campaign.

I have in every instance found him to be a brave, reliable and efficient officer and have had occasion to recommend him in every official report.

I would earnestly recommend him to your favorable consideration (in the event of a vacancy existing or occurring) as a Field officer in the Regiment of which I understand he is now Senior Captain.

I have the honor to be
Very Respectfully
Thom. C. Devins
Col. Comidy, 2nd covy Brig.

Reverse side-

Head Quarters 2nd Cavy Brig.
Army Potomac. Aug 20

Tho. C. Devins
Comdg 2 Cavy Brigade

Recommends Capt
Congers for the position of
Major

Camp near, Cedar Creek Va
Aug 23 1863

General
I have the honor to state that there are in this Corps thru Companies of the 3 Va Cavalry as follows: Co ,A, Capt E J Conger and Co ,6, Capt S.B. Conger in the 2d Brigade 1st Division and Co ,B, Capt Joseph A Wilson in 2d Brigade 2d Division.

Co ,B, formerly Co N Va Cav was recruited by Capt Thos Reves and by an order issued by Gen Rosecrans some time in Feb 1862 was assigned to the 3d but never joined upon the Resignation of Capt Reves His Excelency Gov Pierpont issued a Commission as Capt in the 3rd Va to 1st Liut Joseph H Wilson Owing to some defect in muster Rolls he was not mustered as Capt as late as Feb 10th 1863 but I have since heard he is now acting as Capt and conclude he is mustered

I have been assured by the Major General Pleasonton Corsidy? Corps that upon sufficient showing that the Co Mentioned belongs to the 3rd Regiment he will course it to join us here

This result is very desirable as a beginning of the consolidation of the Reg as our present position is unpleasant attached to a Reg from another State with no chance of credit for good conduct

I feel confident if an Organisation of the Reg could be Effected or even a Battalion under Command of Major McGee it would do no discredit to Virginia

will you be kind enough to furnish me at your earliest conveiniece a copy of the order on file in your office which changed Co N 1st Va Cav to be B 3rd Va Cav Also any information you may have of other Companies with the names of their Commanders

Very Respectfully your
Obedient Servant
S B Conger Capt
Co C Com Detch
3rd Va Cavalry
Head Qrs 3rd Va Cavalry
Wheeling Va

Reverse side-

Cedar Creek
Aug 23 1863

Capt S.B. Conger

Culpeper Va
Nov 13th 1863 Col D H Strother
3rd Va Cavalry

Having been Mustered as Major leaves a vacancy in Co. C and as my Brother E J Conger has resigned and accepted a Commission as Major in Bakers Rangers leaving a Vacancy in Co ,A, I would respectfuly ask your nomination to the Governor and influence in obtaining commissions as follows

Co ,C, 1st Lieut John E Huffman to be Captain Vice SB Conger Promotion 2d Lieut John E Bowers to be 1st Lieut Vice Huffman

Co. A 1st Lieut William W Barrett to be Captain Vice E J Conger resigned and 2d Lieut B. C. Smith to be first Lieut Vice Barrett

I have served with these officers for more than two years and know them to be deserving of this promotion and that it is in accordance with the desires of the men of the Respective Companies

If issued I would desire that the Com be sent to me for them as soon as agreeable to his Excellency the Governor

Very Respectfully your obt
Servant S. B. Conger
Major 3rd Va Cavalry

Reverse side-

S. B Conger
3rd Reg Va Cavalry

Letter from Major S. B. Conger
Asking promotion for certain officers
Recd'.. Nov 24th

Cumberland: Dec 2d 1863
Having no personal knowledge of the officers herein named I can add nothing to the recommendation, but would defer entirely to Major Congers judgement as he has served with them & knows their quality. I think the early filling of the Vacancies important.

D. H. Strother
Col. 3rd Va Cavalry
Culpeper Va

Dec 10th 1863

His Excellency A I Boreman
Governor of West Virginia

Sir
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of a Captains Commission for 1st Lieut John E Hoffman 3rd Va Cavalry

It is also my painfull Duty to apprise you that on the very Day of the issue of the Commission Lieut Hoffman was Killed in action while gallantly leading his command in a fight near Hazel River

His death again leaves a vacancy in the company to which I Earnestly recommend 2d Lieut John E Bowers the only commissioned Officer left & Whom I Know to competent and Every Way Worthy

Very respectfully
Your obt Servant
S B Conger Major
3rd Va Cavalry

Reverse side-

Culpepper Va
Dec 10 " 1863

S B Conger
Major 3 Va Cav

Recommendation for
Promotion

Head Qrs 3rd W Va Cav
Charleston, W Va
Feb 26th 1864

His Excellency A I Boreman
Gov of West Virginia

Sir
In a letter received from Col Strother today occurs the following passage

"An order has just been received from
"Washington assigning two Companies Comd'
"by Capt Means to the 3rd Va Cav and indicating
"that the unassigned Company will also
"be assigned to us without delay

"The Mustering Officer is ordered to muster
"in and complete the organization of the
"Regiment Immediately"

This will entitle us to a Surgeon and I wish Earnestly to recommend to your favorable consideration for that position our present Assistant Surgeon Dr. Thomas Morton

He joined us at Culpeper Aug 23rd 1862 & has since that time been faithfully and Earnestly doing his duty to the service and his Regiment in at least that portion of it to which he was attached

For more than a year he served with my command and although part of that time acting as Brigade Surgeon Yet the men of this Regiment always had his prompt care and attention He served us faithfully when we were small and I deem it but justice that he should be advanced when opportunity offers.

Very Respectfully
Your obedient Servant
S B Conger Major
3rd Va Cavalry

Reverse side-

Charleston W Va
Feb 26 1864
Maj.
S. B. Conger
3 W. Va. Cavly

Recommends Asst
Surgeon Morton for
Surgeon.

Head Qrs 3rd Va Cavalry
Parkersburg W Va July 14" 1864

His Excellency
A I Boreman
Governor of West Va

Sir
I have the honor to state that on the 21st Day of June 1864 1st Lt J Peyton Johnson Co B 3rd Va Cav was killed near Salem While leading his men in an attempt to retake twelve cannon which had been captured by the enemy and were being by them destroyed

Capt C E White of Co B has been a prisoner in the hands of the enemy since June 15th 1863 which leaves the command of the Company with 2d Lt. D.J. Martin who is not (from Various reasons among which are Drunkeness Libertinism and an inability to command men who have witnessed his weaknesses) a person whom I can recommend for Promotion

The Co Numbers (96) Ninety Six Enlisted men and while Lt Johnson lived and was with it was a good and efficient one but as present it need absolutely a leader and commander Thirteen men have left without leave and gone home since coming to this place

I therefore would respectfully ask you to Commission 2nd Lt Benjamin ,C, Smith as 1st Lt to be assigned to Co B and in view of the above facts that it be done at your earliest convenience

This letter need not be considered private as I am willing Lt Martin or any other should see it if desirable.

Major Bowen has gone to Buckhan on detached service but if here I feel confident he would coincide with me in this statement

Very Respectfully
Your Obedient Servt
S B Conger Major
Comdg 3 Va Cavalry
I concur in recommending Lt Smith for promotion as I have had him in my command and notes his energy and abillity to command and lead men.

Jnos Mc?
Maj 3 West Va Cav

Reverse side-

Reccommendation
For Lieut Smith
3rd Calvary

Head Qrs 3rd Va Cavalry
July 15 1864 Parkersburg WVa

His Excellency
A I Boreman Gov of W Va

Sir
I have the honor to forward for your favorable consideration a reccommendation signed by all the Officers now with the Command Except three who have already given their countenance to others Mr Slaughter has been with us for nearly a month and is one who with is a credit to the Reg if connected with it

Hoping the request may meet your favorable consideration

I am sir your
Very Respectable
Obedient Servant
S B Conger Maj
Comdg 3rd Va Cavalry

Reverse side-

Parkersburg July 15th

Major Conger
3rd Cavalry

Recommendation for
the Chaplancy

Head Qrs 3rd Va Cavalry
Parkersburg W Va July 15th 1864

F P Pierpont
Adjutant General
State of West Va

Sir
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of Many upon My return from Lynchburg on the 1st of July

Together with some Other Officers of the Reg I had already signed a reccommendation for Mr Slaughter which was forwarded to Lt Col Strother for his approval and forwarding to his Excellency the Governor

Since then a further association with him has confirmed the favorable opinion previously formed

Today has been the first time since our return when the Officers of the Command could Meet and consult on the question and the result is contained in a communication to his Excellency of Even date herewith

I regret exceedingly that our wishes did not run together and before I had seen Mr Slaughter should gladly have taken any one of your certificate of competency

We leave here tomorrow for Martinsburg and from thence wherever sent My belief is that we shall soon be wanted again in the Kanawha Valley as I consider there is now a fine opportunity for a dash into Ohio from that direction if not checked in time

Very Respectfully
Your Obt Serv
S B Conger Maj
Comd 3rd Va Cav

P.S. Major Bowen is absent on Detached Service at Buckhannon SBC

Reverse side-

S.B.Conger

Reccommendation from 3rd Cavalry

Lexington Richland Co O
March 13th 1865

Hon A I Boreman

Sir

Feeling a strong interest in the Reg't with which my Husband Major S B Conger was so long connected and learning there are vacancies to be filled among the Officers of the 3rd I would ask a 1st Lt Commission for Frank Beverstock a former member of Co A who was mustered out of the service in Jan soon after his release from the Rebel prison. If references are needed as to his qualifications I would name Col McGee and Capt Smith of the 3rd Va. H B Hubbard of Wheeling and John H Hoffman Esq of Morgantown as gentlemen who know him well

He has refused the offer of the same place here as he will not enter the service except in the old Reg't and I believe I fulfill my Husbands wishes in making the request. It would give another man and I believe a good Officer to the Reg't and one who is known and respected by those with whom he has served. My earnest desire for the welfare of the Reg't will I hope be an excuse for the liberty I have taken and with sentiments of the highest respect I remain

Yours Respectfully
Mrs. S B Conger

Hon A I Boreman
Governor West Va

Reverse side-

Lexington Ohio
March 13. 1865

Conger Mrs S. B.

Requests a 1st Lieut
Commission for Frank
Beverstock in 3rd W. Va. Cav.

3rd WV Cavalry