Philippi Barbour County
West Va July 20th 1863
Dear Sir
Benjamin Simon, a Major in the 169 Regt
of Va militia, called up on me this morning and
desired me to write to you, with a view to having
some order made from the proper authority, in
[?] to ordering out and [?] such of the
num[sic] of his battallions[sic], (the 1st in said Regit.) as it
will do to entrust with the implements of war.
His Col. Michael Simon. & Lieut[sic] Col. Moses Simon, met here in Saturday, and after consultation with each other and with me, the Col. So I am advised by the Major, decided that he would not take the resp- onsibility[sic] of having guns and amunition[sic] sent for (with a view to aim the postion[sic] postion[sic] loyal of his men,) unless he was ordered to do so by some higher authority.
The Major insists that he has, say some [?] trusty loyal men in his battallion[sic], who Thought to have arms, for the purpose of doing oacasional[sic] service in suppressing the horse theives[sic] who are continually in our midst.
He seems to wish to have such orders giv en from Headquarters, as will overcome the [?] [?] of his Col. so that the men can get arms to. I promised to write to you as our "Commander in Chief." so that if it is thought advisable, your subordinates can be but in the proper line of duty. My private opinion would be, that it is not now apparently neceisary[sic] to call out all the militia of our County, and Instruk[sic] them away from their [?], as I am informed has been done in Upshur to, but perhaps a few of them scattered over out County who are whole might, by having arms, intimidate the marauding theives[sic], with whom we are sure to be infested from the mountain haunts and are cower even after the war is over. If it is proper to have unless made, I hope it will be attended to. Mr. Simon is to see me again on Saturday next & bring me a list of the true Union Men under him, and wishes me to some directions from you by that time, if practicable. He states that he has written to you about commissions from the new State authority but has received no answer. I shall be much pleas ed to hear from you at your time and conv enience[sic].
I am very Truly
Yours to
Spencer Dayton
Transcription by James Bailes, undergraduate student enrolled in Dr. Billy Joe Peyton's Fall 2010 "Introduction to Public History" at West Virginia State University