[At the time of the 1860 Census, Penelope Forrest was 31 years old and married to Sylvester Forrest, a day laborer. According to the Census, Penelope could not read or write. Sylvester Forrest served as a private in Co. E, 67th NC Inf. Their son, Calvin, served as a private in Co. G, 8th NC Inf. Calvin’s age was listed as 14 in the 1860 Census.]

N C green conty July 15 the
1863
Mr Vance
Dear Sir I will Send
you my Sons age and I wonte you
to relese him and lethim come home
to me if you pleas he is in the 8 rige
3 d yalidy [1] is his capt heis all that I
had that cud do me eny good an I have
got 6 besides him the laste time that I
aplide for helpe frome the govermente
I go[t] nothing and the Sed that I wood git
nothing more his father is in Servis
I was advised to send this lins to you
an if you cante releve him pleas have
it dun for me I had his age proved
and Sente to hime an I have note herd
frome it sence he has don rong I now
but I wonte you to furgive hime for it
[page 2]
respecfult yours
Peny Forrest

pleas rite to me when you receved