T. Melvin to Max Weber, May 11, 1864

Brig. Gen. Max WEBER, Harper’s Ferry, Va.:

GENERAL : I am directed by the major-general commanding the department to request that you will relieve the provost guard, on duty at Martinsburg, belonging to the Thirty-fourth Massachusetts Regiment, and direct it to rejoin the regiment at this place, or wherever the regiment may be, as soon as practicable. The detachment may be sent with a train leaving Martinsburg for the column in the field. The general commanding also requests that you will promptly take such stepsas you may deem necessary to inaugurate more perfect security and a better administration of affairs at the post of Martinsburg, as complaints continually reach him of the manner in which the business is conducted there by the present commander. It is desired, further, sosoon as the three Ohio Regiments arrive at Hafper’s Ferry, you notify General Kelley of the fact, informing him at the same time that the general commanding confidently relied on the disposition of these troops indicated by the Secretary of War, viz, that they would be stationed at Harper’s Ferry, to be used there or at adjacent points in any emergency that might arise.

very respectfully, your cbedient servant,