[Abetha Crowell’s husband, Pleasant Crowell, served as a private in Co. F, 2nd NC Cav.]


Jamestown Nc July 11th
Excellency Govner Vance
I now pick up my pen to ask
you what us poore women is to
do for clothes I hav went twice to
the u[n]ion factory in Randolph to
get me some thread and not one
single lbs could I get my Husband
bin in the service two years the
12th of this mo and I have not had
but one bunch of thread yet and
myself and family are very bare
indeed for clothes now I exspect
you will say that I must spin
but I have no chance to spin for
working for something eat thow
you cane say that the state suports
[page 2]
me it does do its part but not all
oh Dear Govenor if you have eny
feeling for the poare soldirs wife
I think that you will have sume
way provided that we can get work
at the factary to clothe ouer naked
familys the reason that we cannot
get thread is this because we have
not corn or bacon Gov vance
you know that thire is hundreds
of us in the Confederacy that has
not got eny bacon or even
my self for one the Manager off the
factory Mr Newton said I could
not get eny cotton unless I brought
barter such as I have mentioned Gove
I think it is very hard that my
[page 3]
Husband has to be away from home
and me and my family will have
to go naked for I have made my old
refuse clothes go as far as the will
Gove I donot want theme to give
it to me for my husband has sent
me some money to buy thread with
but it will not so I see no other chance
than to go naked for I can never
bear to hear my children cry for
bread while I am able to wurke
now Govner if it pleas you [???]
pleas send me an order frome
your hand that I may get some
thread to clothe my naked family
and soforth My Husband is a private
in the 2nd Nc Cavalry com F
[page 4]
in W.H.F Lees Brigade J. R. Nelson
was there Capt but is now dead Gove
thare is plenty of bunch cotton at
Greensbarro at one dollar per no
but I am to poare to buy that if I
do go naked Govener pleas look
over thase scrible line and do
something for me if it is in your
power which I trust it is so Dear
Govener I will close by saying I hope
to hear from you soon yourswith
Respet &c
from Abetha A Crowell
To Excelency Govenerre
Z.B. Vance