[W. S. McDonald served as a private in Co. D, 26th NC Inf. He was wounded and captured at Gettysburg sometime between July 1 and July 5, 1863 and was hospitalized at Gettysburg before being transferred to David’s Island in New York Harbor. McDonald was paroled and returned to duty in early 1864. He deserted to the enemy “on or about” November 19, 1864, and was confined in Washington, DC before being released on November 25.]

March the 6 1863
Golds Boro N C
Dier Sier
My ob ject fro [1] writing to
you is that I Received a letter
from my Father Stating that
he did write you a letter con…
Cerning Something about my
Geting a discharge Saying that
you Replid to his letter & give
him the Sattis faction that you
would as Sist him in Getting me Clare
Sir I am happy to know that
you are a man of feeling & of
Grat talant I think I was honabel
Clare I was old so at Relaigh
when I Come thare fore the purpose
of Getting my Discharge that all
I likd of geting it was a Petiton
with the County Seal to it
[page 2]
Well Ser I will in
form you that I am a
Privat in Company D.. 26
Regt of NC troops my Cpt
Name is J S adams you
are a were what the Col name
is Sir I will in form you the
Reson that I did not get a discarge
at Ralegh when I come thare I did
not have the Petiton to cirty fy that
I was a Publick Miller ner would
the Command of the Camp of in
Struction allow me to Remain in
Camp untill I could Get one from
home I was Sent off the Same day
that I arived So I went to the 26 Rgt
at Peters Burge aftr being thare
some time I was in formed that
my wife Could Get no persen to
attend to the mill & I thought
[page ]
I would Make some efert
to be Discarged I wrote home
for a petition wich I Recivd
with the Conty Seal Rased on
the same I had a Dis charge writen
out wich was Sind By my Cpt
approved By the Col of ap proved
By General Petigrew & fored
to Major general French wich
Returned it Dis appovd I have
Bin told By a Grat many milatary
men that I am honorbale Clare
a Cording to the Conscript
Provision in the act So your
Excellency & moast
Honorbal Gonver of the
Stat of NC I hop you will
assist me to return home again
Pleas write me Soon let me know
Your Truly William S McDonald