[Her husband, Egbert Monroe Dickey (b. ca. 1820), served as a private in Co. B, 6th NC Inf. Her sons, John and Zachariah were listed as age 14 in the Census of 1860. The letter was written for her by a neighbor, William Bowling]

this the 24 of jun 1863
govner vance Dear Sur as I hav
but 2 Sones & thar ar both becom of
age so as that both hav to goe in
the armey as thay are both the same
age thay are the oanley chance for my
sur port my husban is in the armey
& I hav my Self & 3 daughtes &
out of the 3 ther is 2 of them that
has no helth at all & I am not
able to Dow enny thing easley so I
hope that you will ur sist me
in gitting one of them off untel
I can mak my crop as I am
living on Reantid land & if thay
both hav to goe off I Dow not noe
what I shal Dow I hav no other
chance to liv oanley by ther labor
I hop that you will ur sist me
as I am nothing but a loan
womman Miss harrit Dickey to
govner vance
[page 2]
govner vance Dear sur you will
pleas giv this ladey some in strction
as her chance is bad pleas Right
to her how to pur sead & you will
oblig in so Dowing
vary Respectfuly yous

William Bowling [1] captain


pleas Derect yor letter to
flat River orang county N C