July the 20 day 1863

Stat of north carlina Ash county
Dea frind I am now Blest with
the privleg of riting to you for the
first time Which I hope will bea
reseavd As a frend I can Say to
you that the in tendest of this Leter
Will in form you that I hant
avary A Bel [1] man for the serves
On the account of somting that
is a grig in my sid and my Wife
is not a bel Womom for biesness on
Account of a vary larg wen on her
and I am avary good shoumaker and
cooper and Wheal rit and if hites layes
in yor power I hope
you Will Dis char mea for thes
purpes I hope this lins may bea
reseavd as a frend I am sothern
man living in Ash county near
the Vergina Line a bout 15 mils
North of Jefferson and I hav a vary
larg famly a 11 and the most
Smal childer and my ag is 41 one
yers and the malish offers has
in rold my nam with the concripes
thru a mistak and I wish you
wod grant my request I can give
as good evidentes as is required
and if you feald Willing to Discharg
mea from serves rit hit and send to
mea in a leter as soon as thes lins
is reseavd
[page 2]
I have never Bin bea for [2] the bord
to bea ex zam mend for I thot
I was over the ag of con cripes
and men is nerly all gon from her
and hites Lokes Like if some body
Dont stay her that wimmen will
bea Bound to starv and childern
too if this leter is reseavd which
I hope Will Bea and when
you rit Dirct to hors creek Po
Ash county N C so no mor fo this
time onley I hop to her forom you
Soon this from William rich erson
to govner vance and aggent Jinerl
of war Depart ment