Clay C H West Virginia
Decr 20th 1864
To Gov West Va
Sir
The first and only liutenant[sic] of my company having forwarded to you his Resignation and Commission some months ago, and has not been with the company since The Company has this day Elected James M. Forsythe, in his room and desires you to Commission him.
This is the more necessary from the fact that at the last Election I was Elected by the people to represent the Counties of Nicholas and Clay in the next Legislature Which will make it necessary for me to vacate my present position at Least for a time I hope you will be pleased to forward the Commissionas Early as possible, so that there may be a commissioned Officer to take charge of the Company, when I leave
[?] Verry Respectfully
Your Obt Sert
Benj L Stephenson
Cap Com[?] Co W.Va. VM
Transcription by Rob Roush, undergraduate student enrolled in Dr. Billy Joe Peyton's Fall 2010 "Introduction to Public History" at West Virginia State University