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 5

Transcription

To His Excellency F.H. Pierpoint
Governor of Virginia

Gov.
As an Adjutant is necessary to perfect the organization of the 1st Bat. of 3rd Va Cavalry I take great pleasure in recommending to your favorable notice B. Powell (now private secretary to Gen Kelly). He is a gentleman who possesses in addition to a good education and a fund of general information a very extensive and practical knowledge of the workings of military affairs, qualities rendering him amicably qualified to fill the position. As the post of Adjutant is one of considerable importance I feel desirous of getting as good a man to fill it as possible.

Hoping his appointment will meet your approval
I have the honor to be
Your Most Obt. servant
J. Lowry McGee
Maj in 1st Bat 3rd Va Cavalry

Reverse side-

J. Lowry McGee
Oakland Md
Apr. 9. 1862

Head Quarters R.R. Dist.
Wheeling Va
April 9. 1862

Governor:
Not having the pleasure of your personal acquaintance, I presume to address you in note in relation to a favor that may be asked at your hands for my benefit.

When Major McGee was appointed to the command of the 1st Bat. 3 Va.Cav. he requested me to become an applicant for the Adjutancy of said Regiment. I consented to do so, and authorized the Major to recommend me to your excellency for this Appointment. I do not know whether he has written to you in that Subject, as he started to New? Creek shortly after we conversed upon the subject.
I trust that you will defer making any other appointment for that position until you hear from Major McGee, and such other persons as may interest themselves on my behalf.

I am, and have been the private secretary of General Kelley since his first taking command as Brig. Genl.

For good and sufficient reasons I desire a promotion, and my intimate acquaintance and familiarity of the duties of Adjutant render the position I aspire to particularly desirable.

I will furnish proper recommendations shortly.
Respectfully
Your Obt. Svt.
B. Powell

P.S. For the present allow me to refer you to M.Hagans Sec. State whose acquaintance I have had the pleasure of taking. B.P.

His Excellency
Hon. F.P. Pierpoint
Gov. Va.
Wheeling, Va

Reverse side-

B Powell
Wheeling Va.
Apr 9 1862
3rd Va. Cavalry Rgt.

Wheeling Va. Apl 10 1862
His Excel: F.H. Pierpont
Gov Virginia

Sir:
From a long and intimate acquaintance with B. Powell Esq I take great pleasure in recommending him to you for any position you may be disposed to offer him. He was previous to his enlistment a successful practitioner at the Bar in Monroe Co. Ohio and had every prospect of a rapid rise in the profession

His business qualifications are of the first class and his character and morals unimpeachable.

I am very respectfully
Your Obt Servt
Wm P Richardson
Lt Col 25 O O?

Reverse side-

B. Powell
Recommendations

Wheeling Va April 10th 1862

Sir;
I am informed that B. Powell Esq--will probably be an applicant for the position of Adjutant of the 3rd Va Cav. From a long acquaintance with Mr. Powell, in civil life, and since the Opening of this Rebellion. I take pleasure in commending him to your excellency, as a gentleman of good habits, business capacity, and integrity of character, and feel satisfied that he will do credit to himself, and to the thule? in any position you may be pleased to Confer upon him
Jas Washburn
Capt. 25th Ohio Vol. Inf.
Hon. F. H. Pierpoint
Gov. Virginia
Wheeling Va

Reverse side-

B. Powell
Recommendation

Headquarters, R.R. District
Wheeling, April 10th 1862

Governor Pierpoint

Dear Sir;
Mr Barnabas Powell a new commissioned Officer of the 25th Ohio Regiment has been a Clerk in my office since the 1st of August last and much of the time has held the place of my private Secretary; which position he yet fills.

Mr Powell is a young lawyer of Woodsfield, Monroe County, Ohio. And is a young man of good education and ability, good habits and character; and intends settling in Virginia and pursuing his profession after this Rebellion is put down.

If there is any vacancy in any of the regiments, I should be exceedingly gratified if you would appoint him a Lieutenant

Respectfully
Your Obt. Svt.
B.F. Kelley
Brig. Gen.

Reverse side-

Brig Gen B. F. Kelley
B. Powell
Wheeling, Va April 10th 1862

Wheeling, Va April 10th 1862.

Governor;
I herewith enclose you letters of recommendation kindly furnished me by the gentlemen whose names are attached hereto-

Maj. McGee informs me ^by telegraph^ that he has written you on the subject. I have requested a number of gentlemen citizens of Va occupying prominent positions in the Volunteer Service to address you directly in reference to my qualifications or the position to which I aspire, some of whom you may have heard from, others will communicate with you, I presume in a few days___

One word with you. You will see by my papers that I am a Citizen of Monroe Co. Ohio. The first Co. in Ohio that tendered aid and comfort to Western Va in her hour of trouble, and which since furnished several hundred men directly for the Virginia service, near a whole regiment. I presume, in the aggregate no field or staff officers from that county has been appointed by this State___

Again, I propose settling in one of the counties of Western Va. Tayler, perhaps, and pursue the practice of my profession, as soon as this rebellion is suppressed. I have now been in service one year wanting a few days___

In as much as I propose casting my lot with Western Va. and contribute my humble influence in the organization and support of her future institutions. I trust you will not regard it a matter of injustice to yourself in the State and people you govern, to appoint me to the place I pray for___

Trusting that your earliest convenient attention may be given the subject, and that you may not have occasion to reject your action? in that premises, I remain
Respectfully
Your humble Servt.
Barnabus Powell
His Excellency
Gov. F. H. Pierpoint
Wheeling Va.

P.S. On Monday next we leave her for Cumb. or Parkersburg?

Reverse side-

B Powell
Wheeling Va.
Apr 10 1862

His Excellency
F. H. Pierpoint Gov. of Va.

This certifies that I have been for some time favorably acquainted with the Bearer Mr. Powell and from such a connection I take pleasure in introducing him to your notice as a gentleman of high moral worth, rare intellectual attainments and a person will do honour to any position to which he may aspire. The Bearer may see fit, in his patriotic devotion to the Union cause, to become an applicant for some position in the U.S.A.in such an event, I have every confidence that your excellency will duly appreciate merit and thereby gratify his requests____ By so doing you will advance merit and confer a favor on your humble servant.
Very Respectfully Yours,
M. A. Himan
Grafton Apr_14th 1862

Reverse side-

M. A. Himan Recmd
Mr Powell
Apr 1862

Cumberland
April 16 1862
His Excellency
Gov. F. H. Pierpoint

Dear Sir,
Understanding that Mr Barnabus Powell , now acting as private Secretary to General Kelley, is an applicant for the Office of Adjutant to the 3rd Regt of Virginia Cavalry, we take great pleasure in recommending him as a person, not only of good Sound Union feelings, but one in every way Suitable to the discharge of the duties of the Office and feel well assured that should you confer on him the appointment he would make a great and faithful Officer.
We Remain
Very Respectfully Yours
Geo Harrison
Geo W Harrison
Capt A. 2 M USA

Reverse side-

Gen. Harrison
Cumberland Md
Apr 16 1862

Head Quarters RR District
Cumberland June 23 1862
Governor;
I had the honor some months ago to recommend for a position in 3rd Regt. Va. Cav. Barnabus Powell formerly of Monroe Co Ohio, but am not adviser as to any action in the case

Mr. Powell was a practicing lawyer of that County for some years but when the Call for the troops was made he resigned his practice & enlisted as a soldier in one of the Ohio Regiments (25th) then being formed. The Regiment was sent to Western Va. and Mr. P. there performed duty until I recognized in him a scholar and business man, detailed him as my private Secretary in which capacity he has been acting until now

It affords me much pleasure to be an testimony to Mr Powelles merit as a man and as a soldier. During a period of nearly a year--the time which he has been associated with me--he has discharged his duties with promptness and fidelity, and in doing so has indicated an ability that eminently qualifies him for the discharge of the duties incumbent on a Comd Officer. He expreses his intention and expectations of making Virginia his permanent residence

I would therefore respectfully ask that he be appointed to the Adjutant of the 3rd Va. Cav. or that being impractical, that he be Commissioned as a Company Officer in one of he Virginia Regiments of Infantry now in the field.
I am being respectfully & c
B F Kelley
Brig Genl
His Excellency
F. H. Pierpont
Gov of Va
Wheeling

Reverse side-

B Powell
Adjutant 3 Va Cav

Appoints as requested
F H Pierpoint
I want Lawyers to Emigrate to Va-
and I make the appointment on the
grounds that Powell is going to
settle in Va
F. H. Pierpoint

3rd WV Cavalry