[At the time of the 1860 Census, Miller and his wife, Mary (b. ca. 1800) were living on their farm with four adult sons and one adult daughter. The Census records his age as 75, although he claims in his letter to be about ten years older.]

State of North carolina
Davidson County April the
13th day 1863 Z. B. Vance
Dear Sir I take my pen in
hand to Let you Know that
the people of Randolph county
has killed my son with out
Houlting him and one other
man by the name of Seth
Laughlin and wonded one
man by the Name of Alson
Miller and then they come
to my house and take en my
son saddle after thay hade
killed him and takein one
of my best horses i hade
and Bridle and and kep them
som five weakes and damage
worth more then half what
thay was when thay was takeen
from my house
[page 2]
then thay come and taken
me and put me in Jale
and kep me thare twenty
four days and then thay turnd
me out and made me
pay for my Board and i am
aman About Eighty
Eight years old and i was
A Soldier in the Jac son [1]
ware and i want 
to Know wheder you approve 
of the Like of that or not
I want you to Write me
ALetter and give me yours
Advice on this matter i am
A citason of Davidson
County neare the Randolph
Line Rite to me as soon
as posable Direct your
Letter to Spencers post office
Davidson County N.C
[page 3]
this from Isaac Miller sr
to Gov Z.B.Vance