[Jesse Coppedge (spelled Coppage in the 1860 Census) was a Nash County farmer. Several of his sons, including Hiram Coppedge, served in Co. B, 66th NC Inf.]

this the 19 of September 1863
Mr govner vance I sopored you
in your Alection because your
vues an mine the Saim in the
Start of this wor I hav had
Six Sunes in this wor and thre
is it yeat an the pries of meete
And bred Stuf will parish
thar famlys to death without
giving them moer or bring doun
the price of purvishion tha hav
nomenzes of making an one of my
Sunes wich is in the fare ground
horspittle at raleigh haze bin
in Sirves Aboute Ateteen
Months an haz never don duty
Anuf to pay expences of one barly
yeat go to See him rede this
letter to him for he cant
help in nede is help in dede
Mr vance help hiram J coppedge
to git Adischarge an wich
Wood benefit his famly when
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2
he can be som bennifit to the
Confret States at home I am A Strong
Surthen man no Stronger then
Mr vance I think thir is meny
Wood be moer benfit at hom
then tha can be in the wor
Mr vance I Adres you in a orkerd [1]
Way but from the depist
Dzirs of my hart an my Cuntry
I am A poer man of no propity [2]
But alarge famly of femal Cant 
Spel my wores rite I wod to
god ol men was as ner rite as
I wish to be Mr vance giv me
som in sturcton on the men
Befoer us for Congres in aletter
to me it Shal be asekret btwixt
us if you wishet as boldy
Arinton is one of my natives
But one of my outside roze for
ofis plese to ansor this when it
Come to hand Jesse Coppedge
pech tree grove post ofis