[Sherrill served as a sergeant (later private) in Co. K, 63rd NC Vols. (5th NC Cav.) He deserted at Garysburg, North Carolina on November 22, 1862, was arrested in January 1863, and confined at Goldsboro before being released on April 23, 1863. Sherrill was reported absent wounded from September 1863 until being detailed in April 1864.]

Snow Hills Green County N C March 11th 1863
Gov Vance
Dear sir I have got in
a difficulty with military affairs and I wish
to lay my Case before yow as your order was
not out when I got to Camp &c
I went home the last of nov an as soon
as Gen Robertson isued an order for all absentees
to report for Duty an tha should not be punished
I <??> the order on 22nd of January an I Started
back to Camp I was arrested by a militia officer
on the 24th an was taken to sailesbury prison
I stated my Case to the officer thar an his reply
was that he would send me to kinston to my
Regt in afew days an he Kept me thar 16 days
an then sent me to Richmond an then I was sent
back to golds borough to go to my Regt I was
kept thar 15 days an then sent to Snow Hill
an thar I was put in the gard house and
am in it yet an the Col said I would be
court Marshal soon. I want to no if that is
the way to do Military affairs for Genrals an
Gov. to issue orders in favor of soldiers an
inferior officers take up men an keep them
in prison untill the time exspire an then send
them to Camp an punishs them If that be
the Case I have no more to say in the Cause
[page 2]
I further more have to say I am
4th sergent of our Company an a Greable to
Military law it was not right for me to be
put in the gard house. but if that be so
I no I have not been treated right here to
fore an so I will leave the matter to
you to be my judge
Yours Respectfully
David H Sherrill
Under Capt Wharten, Co, B, 63 Regt,

I am a native of Catawba County
N.C.

Fraternity