The State of West Virginia, Kanawha County, Sct:
Before me George Ritter & Justice of the Peace within and for the county aforesaid, personally appeared George C. Bowyer who has be duly elected to the office of Brigadier General of the Seventh Brigade and Second Division of WV Militia and took and subscribed the following __________
I George C Bowyer do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of this State; that I have never voluntarily borne arms against the United States; that I have, voluntarily, given no aid or comfort to persons engaged in armed hostility thereto, by countenancing, counseling or encouraging them in the same; that I have no sought, accepted or attempted to exercise the functions of any office, whatever, under any authority in hostility to the United States; that I have not yielded a voluntary support to any pretended government, authority, power or Constitution within the United States, hostile or inimical thereto; and that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion.
I, Geo. C. Bowyer solemnly swear that I will faithfully perform the duties of the office of Brigadier General to the best of my skill and judgment. So help me God.
Geo C Bowyer
Given under my hand and seal this 28th day of April 1864
George Ritter J P
Transcription by Victoria Souhala, undergraduate student enrolled in Dr. Billy Joe Peyton's Fall 2010 "Introduction to Public History" at West Virginia State University