Wilkes County N. C. Dec 7th 1862
His Excellence Govrner Vance
after my best respects to you
I pray tiyr honor grant me Twelve
men clear of conscription together
withe my three Lieutenanc for
the purpose of taking up Deserters
who are harbering in the mountains
and being well equiped and als allow
me some powder and caps [2] and Twelve
Suficent Mukets. I think it will
be very assential to Keep a gard in these
mountains as thare is every Day comeing
in Deserter who are being harbed by
union men these men to be able
bodied men Who can can stand fatigue
over the mountains to be alowed me
out of my own company. if nothin else
pleas allow me some powder and
caps. p’s answer this soon
Wm N. Pierce; Capt
93 Reg. Company A. Reddies River Dist
of the N.C. Molitia