1861 May 6 Mallorys Ford Orange City Virginia

To his excelencey John Lecher Governor of Va

We ^'your' humble petitioners a portion of the citizens of the Countys of
Orange & Louisa near unto the Po above named haveing formed
and organised ourselves into a company under the Stile of the
Orange mount Horeb home guards composed of men between
the age of 45 & 60 years & the youths under 18 the object
of the guards is charatable purposes and to drill frequently
and learn Something of military tacticks So that if our Section
Should be invaded that we micht make the best defence
possable and haveing no member of our body that is a milatary
tactition the prayr of your petitioners is that whareas Liet
James. W. Payne of malitia rank who is a good drill
master is now a volinteer privat in capt Lewis Williams
com of orange light infantry at Harpersferry that he
may ^'be' discharged from Such Service upon furlough or other
wise So that he may return to our midst for the purpose of
driling Sd company which drills old men will partisapate
in and may be benifited by Most Respectfully

Robert Collins
Matthew Butler
Thos. R Hardkins
Anderson Talley
Robert C. Talley
Benjamin V. Loving
Dabney Locket
Jacob Locket
George Locket
S. H. Parrott
C. Y. Payne
M. G. Grubbs
W. E. Grubbs
John N Gillispie
James R Robertson
John W. Lancaster
Benjamin C. Payne
Richard N Meade
Dabney Wright
William B Estes
Madison Meade

NB pleas direct your resonse
to Robert Collins
mallory Ford orange Cty Va.