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Salem Grove

Moore County NC

Febrary 27th/64

Mr. Z. B Vance

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Dear Sir

          I am constrained to write one more concerning my Son-in law W. S. McDonald[1] who is now at home on parole. he was wounded at Gettysburg P.a. & taken prisner & cared to Davids Island Ny wher he Remained about three months. he is now Exchanged & cald for again & if you take him you may take me also for I am Surrounded with theivs & Robers & I can not Sleepe for fear of being deprived of all my living as severl of my Nabors has Sufferd by the deserters <& I> as a great meny got close as mechanics & for meny other Resons. I think prope to say that I have a mill on a neer failing Strem & I also /have/ a vary good Black smith shop as I am not able to do anything my selfe. Mr. McDonald tends to both & if he is taken away Both must go to naught perhaps you would be told that I have blackies. I ha one black man on the deal and a Sickley black woman 2 half grown Black girles all told. five /of my sons/ has fell in this war. I have neither son no daughter with in 40 miles of me except McDonald wife & if he leavs She will be a charge to me. 

          Dear Sir I do not know that you have full power to discharge my Son in law But I do Know you have Some influence & hope you will excercise it in my favor. W.S. McDonald Served in Co. D 26 Regt NC Troop. he was in listed October the 9 1862. it may be nesesary for me to say that McDonald was discharged by his cpt. & Col. also by Gen petagrew[2] <with> an in conclusion I disposed of the moast of my stock to furnish the market. I have funded the money & never expect to se a sent of it for my foot is on the brink of the grave & I care not <for> if we can Gain our independence 

I have the pleasure of SubScribing my name as your well wisher 

Farewell 

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Lauchlin McKinnon[3] 

 

[Endorsed]

I have no power in the case. He must apply through his officer on [illegible]

ZBV

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[1] William S. McDonald (b. 1840) enlisted in Company D, 26th North Carolina Infantry on October 1, 1862. He was wounded and captured at Gettysburg sometime between July 1 and 5, 1863, and paroled from Davids Island prison on October 28, 1863. He returned to duty in February 1864 and deserted to the enemy on November 19, 1864. Jordan, comp., North Carolina Troops, 7:514.

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[2] General James Johnston Pettigrew 

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[3] Lauchlin McKinnon (1781-1866) was a farmer in New Gilead in Moore County, and owned four slaves. 1860 U.S. Census; N.C., U.S. Wills and Probate Records, 1866.

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