[??] McDowell Co NC
May 25 1863
Mr. Z. B. Vance Governor of N.C
Der Sir after my Respects to you I
wish to inform you that there are
a number of deserters Lerking about in
this County and the malitia are making
no effort to arrest them and they are a
doing agreat deal of mischief Robing
meat houses and Breaking open mills and
Stealing meal and flower and I have
bean told that along this mountain
they have Broke and carried off all the
farming tools wash pots and kettles
Besides they are adoing a great dea[l] of
mischif ther fore I take this me[t]od of
informing your oner of their doings hoping
you will devise means to arrest this
if it is not stoped their will be in my
opinion agood deal of suffering among[??]
the soldiers wives who are without Bread
your obedient servent and Friend &c
G. W. Dobson