Brevards Station Gaston County
North Carolina
Oct the 15th 1863
Sir I a privait in Company H 37th Regiment
of N. C. Troops have Bin absent from
my Command since the 4th of may 1863
and pleadge my self to return to my
Regt if you Will not punished mee or
have me punished I intended on going Back
With my 2nd Liutenent J.C. Moore and I takin
sick on sunday be fore I Was to start
Back on monday I am Rhumitised very
Bad I Wood Like to have a transfur to
Captin Buces caverly company for I cant
stand marching I am Nearley allways be hind
my Company on a mach cant keep up
I have not Done nothing more since
I have Bin at home only I shot some squirls
shot at the malishia But Did not
heart no one as I Know off I Dune
this to skeare them
[page 2]
I pleade hard fore a Reprieve or
a transfur to Capt Brices Company
I Wood Like to have some time
to fix up my Bisiness
I Will Close, yours very Respectfuly

D F West
Direct to D F West Brevards station
Gaston County, N.C.