Taylorsville N. C.
Jany the 6th of 63
Mr Isaac Smith
Dear brother
it had been a long time
Since I heard of you until
yester day when I was delighted
with the joyfull words that
you was yet living and
well it had been 5
months since I heard of
you and the word was that
you was very sick then
and I had come to the
conclusion that you was
dead or takein by the
union men when I heard
from you last you being
Sick then and never
righting I had some fears
that you was dead but
I still inter tained some
hopes that you was
[page 2]
captured by the union
Men and would keep
you untill the war
would be over. Dear
brother there is a great many
men leaveing the Arma
at this time and I am
very glad to see them
comeing home but
if you have any notion
of leaveing the arma
I would like very
mutch to see you come
ing home you
could get home very
easy if you would only
start but Still I would
advise you if you want
to leave the war go to
the other side whear you
can get plenty and
not stay in this
[page 3]
one horse barefooted
naked and famine Stricken
Southern Confedercy for
we have come to very near
naught we cannot even
get any paper or pens
that is worth any thing
this Isaac is what I
call Old Jef Davis paper
and it is but very
litle better than he
is well Isaac I am get
ing very tired of this
war well Isaac there is not
mutch news stiring now
evry Person or very
near say the southern
Confedercy is bound to
die and if it would
I would not cry well
Isaac I would be glad
[page 4]
write to me as soon as you
get this letter and
let me know how you
are making out for
clothes and shoes and
also let me know how
you are making out
for eatables well Isaac
have nothing more to write
at this time so please
let me heare from you
soon we are all well
yours affectionate
brother
Jesse Smith
[added in different hand]
Forwarded to Governor Vance by W. L. Saunders Major 46 Reg NCT