State of N C July the 1st 1863
Johnston ,Co,
unto the govnor of .NC. Dier sir I take this opernituny
to rite you as I feel that we are all bound in
this war I all ways feel vary small to rite to men
in a thorety but hope they will take it in the sperit that I
feel to rite with I see ther is 7.000 volinter wanted from
this state or they will have to Draft for them if you
will fix if it is in your reach so as to git volintears that
has bin in servis to com holm I think they could
Raze them they are Ready Drild and has all the advanteg
to what the militia has my son John, A, Coats was
a lected Lieutenant in the melitia the day he was 18 it
was the first day he Ever musterd he did not git Commishon
he volinterd I think he could Rase a comney for the state
and ef you think it in pla give him Librty to try and
after the term of cervis he will be at your com mand
to do with him as you think p[r]oper it is my desire that
he should be in this state wher I can cary him som nirish
ments som times he is as studay a youth as I Ever saw
and is as ancious to gain his contary freedhom he will be
20 years old the 20 day of this month instane he is in .Co. (I)
24 Ridg Privit in that .Co.
pleas ancer this letter he is the saim man that sent
you a list of subcribers when you cald for volinters
when you was at kingston if you Recklect his naim
[page 2]
he sent you a good Rickmendation for you to give
him a thority to Rais a compny he is young but I
think is one amongst the studest that I ever Saw
Josiah. Coats