Headquarters, April, 15th '62 Dear Sister: I received a letter from you and Mother by Henry Myers and would have answered sooner but one thing or another has prevented until now. Our company was filled up with Militia two days ago, we required 52 but got only 33 the first day and were to get the rest on the next day and reorganize immediately. But as we knew that they had formed a plot to elect their own officers over ours, we let Col. Ronald, the Col of our regiment, know our fix and he ordered an election to be held before the rest came down and they released the Sentinels at the Headquarters, so we had one or two majority. We elected Hugh White Capt., Givens Strickler 1st. Lieut. and Lyle 2nd. Lieut. and Culton, one of the militia 3rd. Lieut.. The way he happened to be elected was this – [Page 2] the Militia put him up as their candidate and Raymond was also announced by Guy of the Militia, we nominated Arnold and Chester J., by the first ballot. There was no election; when we saw there was no possibility of electing Chester and Arnold they both withdrew, when it lay between Raymond of our company and Culton of the Militia. But we preferred Culton to Raymond for this reason, when the list of Militia was given to us, Raymond got a copy and went to the Militia Camp and told all who were drafted and among themselves had determined to elect officers over us and Raymond was to have been one of their Lieutenants, consequently we would not vote for him since he did such a trick. He certainly would have been elected had he not done it. [Page 3] Today the Militia with Sherwood, Sergts. Arnold, Lyle and Corp. Chester were sent back to Staunton as Provost Guard of the town and we are still retained as guard at Headquarters. Hugh White is in command of this part of the company. My dear Sister I have had a conversation with Hugh White on the subject of religion and trust that I have found the way to heaven. I am willing to trust myself in the arms of my Saviour relying on His saving power and know that we came into the world to turn sinners and not the righteous to repentance. I trust that I have not deceived myself and pray that I may not fall back. And now my dear Sister good bye. Yours in love, Ted