[M. E. Allen’s husband, Abram, served in Co. E, 42nd NC Inf. F. E. Proctor’s husband, James, served in Co. A, 55th NC Inf. The entire letter is written in a single hand.]

July the 1 1863
Mr Gover Vance my Husban is in serv
an hase bin for the last 16 Monts i lived
in Edgecome at the time he volinteerd
an i move to Pitt Co an thay wount
let me Draw in Edgecome or in Pitt
Co my Husban is in the 42 Regt Co E
Generl Danel Brigade Generl Rodes
Devisen an i Cant serport my selfe
an Child an i shall have to have som
one help or my Husban will have to
Come home an take Cear of me i
hope to hear from you soon rite
to me an i will cary the letter an
show it to enny place you say for me
to draw Direct to Folkland Pitt Co
yor serven M E Allen
[page 2]
if enny body dose i hant rote
to my Husban to Come home but i
shall if i dont get help an i wount you
to rite to me an let me no wher i can
draw from g[r]eenvill or not for if you
rite to it will be like it wase
befour so rite to me if you please an
let me no what to depend one or give
My Husban A Discharge or let him
Come home an serport me an per
tect me i neve call on no boddy to
pertect me nor serport me as long as
he Could stay with me an i think
you ar A Man that hase Got A feling
for all sech Wiming an for that resen
i rite to you A bout my case an i shall
be bound to have some help or you
must give J G Proctor A discharge he is
[page 3]
My Husban an he is in the 55 Regt Co A
NC Troops Capt sepercurch Company Generl
Davises Brigade Generl Longstrete Devsi
en i hope you will give him A discharge
for my sike or fix for me not to starv
to Death an if you dont i shall rite to him
to Come home an take care of me i am
A lone womman an he will be bound
to Come home if this is no regment [??]
i hope you will be A frend to me an let
me hear from you soon as i stand in
need i hope you will rite to me an dire
ct to Folkland Pitt County NC
yor obeantence servent i ant abel to
Go to Wilson to draw an i
F E Proctor
hope you will let me draw at Greenville Pitt Co
P S my Brother an Husban an all of
my raletafe and frends is now Gone in
serves