[At the time of the 1860 Census, William Rough was listed as a 41-year-old carpenter. He served as a private in Co. I, 42nd NC Inf., along with his son, William M. Rough (b. ca. 1842). Another son, John W. Rough (b. ca. 1844), served as a drummer in Co. F, 7th NC Inf. Jesse Franklin Rough (b. ca. 1846) served as a fifer in Co. I, 42nd NC Inf., after substituting for his father. William M. and Jesse Franklin Rough were both paroled at Greensboro on May 9, 1863.]

Holtsburg NC April 26th 1863
To his Exelency gov Vance
Since the above
petition has bin writen I have had
the misfortune to lose my wife
leaving four small Children and
no protection whatever but my
Self I am now 46 yeares of age
and have two sones volenteers on in
the 7 nc Regt and the other in the 42nd with mee
and now ask you to accept a third
sone But 17 yeares of age as a substitute
for me if it bee Consistent in mee to
ask the favour he has Bin Examined
by the Serg. of the armey and found
to bee a Sound able bodyed man
Respectufully yores
William C Rough

PS I am now home on a short furlough and
would like to make the Exchange as son as I go back