<title type="main">Burgess Preston to Unknown

Head Quarters 65th Kentucky Enrold Militia

Paintsville Johnson County Kentucky Augist 5th 1864 Sir

In obediance to Genral orders No 6 ishude by the Govoner of Kentucky on the 3rd of June 1864 I proseeded on the 30th day of July last to make the make the company ordrd in said order I made an effort to make the company by Volunteers out of the men that I could git to gether- & failed in that effort I orderd the Reidgment to randevou again in Paintsville on Tusday the 2d instant about Two thirds of the Reidgment attended and I made the Company on the next day by detail I detailed one hundred and one men out of by ballat out of the difrent companeys in the Reidgment not having but six companeys in the Reidgment & neither of the companeys having the number of men required in the order the number either too small or to larg in making the ^companey^ by ballet it fell on some men that did not randevou Same I think are Reble Syimpathisers purhaps Same that will have to be brought in by the forse of armes which I will endevor to do as soon as I can git some amunition I have in camp Fifty Five men -- I have put my Lt Col in Command of the company and have appointed the first second & third Lts Lieutenants and they are acting as such --

We are in some danger here in the

condition We are in I only have about 40 guns 10 enfields Some Shot guns the balance old guns the Rebles left scturd about in the country & I had them gethered up & have got all that I can find and they are all in vary bad order have no amunition Except a few rounds I got from the united States Troops at Louisa, We are 32 miles from any Federal Force and Reble Gerrillars purty close to us. but if we can git arms & amunition I dont ask them any difrance my boys will make them git up & dust --

I tharefore desire the Company be armed imeadately I think the guns for this Company Should be a good Scouting gun of long rang as thare is a garet deal of Brush and high mountains to scout over in this Country --

in as mutch, as I have had abad chance of infermation as it respects my duty in organmising this company I desire all the infermation that you can give as it respects the organizanation armming & Equiping & subsisting the compny we have no regular mail nearer than Louisa which is 32 miles no order that have bin sent to me have not reached here within the time that I wase orderd to purform the duty under the order I never Recievd the order toRefered to above till about the 25 of JulyC When you communinacat with me direct to the ceare of the

of the commander at Louisa Ky and he can convey to me by Exspress let me heare from you imeadately

Burges Preston Col Comdg, 65, Ky, E, M

65 Ky. State. Militia Paintsville Johnson, Co. Ky. August 5th 1864.

Preston Burgess Col. Comdg. 65th Reg. Ky. E. M. Johnson. Co.

Made an effort to raise a Company under Genl order No 6. by volg. but failed, on the 3rd inst he detailed 101 men from his Reg. including three Lieuts and placed the same under command of his Lieut Col. Some of these men will have to be brought in by "force of arms"; And others of them are Rebel sympathizers. Has about 40 guns of different calibres- wants to be well armed and equipped, Asks to be informed particularly about how his company is to be subsisted All communications to him to be directed to the Post Commandant at Louisa. Lawrence County, who will forwrd them.

Aug 16-1864. Answered on letter book Page 30.

Recd I. G. O. August 15th 1864