January the 4 1863
Mr Vance I take the
oppertunity of dropping
you afew lines to let
you kno that I am
knot well but
I am able to write
mr Vance I have bin
in the service
twice and have bin
dis Charged boath
times and I expect
to go back a gin I
waunt you to
detail mee for a
shu maker I
have had the eppalep
sy ever since I was
bornd my fahter
dide with the eppalepsy
and I am knot able
to do any thing only
make shus I have bin
[page 2]
making Shues ever since
I came home and wee
are making Soulders
Shues and sell that at
fom four to five dollars
and others is Selling
at ten I am knot
afraid of the yankes but
it tares a man up
to be afixing so much
give me an ancer
as son as you get
this if you pleas
J. W. Whitworth

Direct your letter
to buffalo paper mill
N C Cleavling Co