[J. D. and W. C. Caldwell served in Co. E, 32nd NC Inf. Their neighbor, Hugh Q. Bandy, served in Co. A, 18th NC Inf.]

OC the 8 1863
N C Catawba Co
Mr vance i take the presente oppertunty
of riting to you as a frend to in sist
us and help us out of trubled they have
takn up my Dear husband and Sent him
of by quin bandy ateling a pack of lys
quin Sais he is Sorey he had ronged the
men so that is Captin J D Caldwell and
W C Caldwell i Say to you thar has bin
lys told on them both and i can prove it
to i want you Mr vance to give them the
Chance to prove them Selves Clar i dont
want my husband sent of in such a
disgraseful mannor i can get as meny sinners
to sine a pertishion as you want if you will
Send for them i can get them at eny time
tha allways done thar douty quin was mad
at them be case tha went with the men to
take him and he said he done this po
posely to Clar his Self he was Skird to
deth nerly a frad tha wood kill him
his Mother and his Sisters said he want
at him self when tha caught him no
how i saw thim to day and he said he
was sorey he had ronged the men so
the nabors nose quin and tha say he will
do eny thing to Clar his Self i dont
want you to tak my word for it
you can rite for siners and you can get
as meny as you want and if this want
do grant him a pece of riting and let
him Come home and get his Close and
go like a white man this i pray do
Catawba Co newton Nancy M Caldwell
PO
to Mr vance gov