January 15 1863
Mr govner vance
last febuary I went in the
Sirvis and I was in Bad helth
All the time I wasent Able to
Pform duty one half the time
and the Cornel Red owt orders
for All men over thirty five years
of age Could Pay Back thare
Bounty and Loose thare wagers and
I give Back my Bounty and Lost
three months wager I got home the
first day of June to my wife and
six Litle helples Children and
my wife is in Bad helth and has
Byn for sevral years she hasent
nether fathr or mother I hird a
hand to make me a crop and I
hope [1] him what I cold after I got home
and I made corn and Pork a nuf to do
I have got A good too horse farme and
too good horses and if I have to go in
the sirvis any more I Cant hire noone
At all and I Cant make no farm
At all I have no sirvants at all
I am my wif and six Litle Children
dependence I wowld Be thanfu for
your advice what you think A
man in my standin Can do
to off and Leeve a wife and Children
to starve to dath Seames more
than I Can do if I Cant make a farm
[page 2]
next Sumer tha will Be Bound
to Suffer I wowld Be vary
thankful for your advice
if yow wowld Be so kind
Direct your letter to Elevatin [2]
Johnston Cownty yours Respefu
MC Coy Johnson
[added by the Governor]
Ansr that I
sympathize
with his condi
tion but can
see no way to
<??> & I
Hope he will
do his duty
manfully & if
he has to leave
will try to see
that his family
dont suffer
Z B V