LETTER FROM THE UNITED STATES.
Parkersburg, Wood Co., West Va. [Virginia?]
REV. SIR, - Many, many years have elapsed since I
had the pleasure of seeing you, or of hearing from
you...I presume you are aware that in the month of
May, 1848, I sailed from Ireland for the "New World,"
and landed at New York in June, and immediately after
came to this State, where some of my relations had
emigrated before me. Having a letter of introduction
from Mr. Lindsay, I was at once received into the
Methodist Episcopal Church, and was shortly after
licensed "to exhort," and then "to preach." In 1850
I entered the Conference, Western Virginia, of which
I am a member, as a Probationer, passed through my
studies with some little credit, was ordained Deacon
in 1852, and Elder in 1854, and since then as well
as before have been trying to preach "Jesus and the
resurrection," through that portion of Virginia
which is now embraced in the new State of West
Virginia...In 1862, Bishop Scott, the presiding
Bishop of our Conference that year, appointed me
Presiding Elder of this (Parkersburg) District,
which place I held, until following, as I thought
the leadings of Providence, I received the
appointment of Chaplain to the 7th West Virginia
Infantry, attached to the army of the Potomac.
I was with my regiment in the battles of
Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Williamsport, Bristoe,
and some skirmishes. Through these I was mercifully
preserved, and am now at home on "leave of absence"
for thirty days....
Your brother in Christ,
SAMUEL STEELE.
