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NARA 767

Nash Co NC
Dec. 18 = 1867
Gen. Ed. Canby     

Honorable Sir.
Owing to my distressed situation I apply to you for assistance. I will state you the circumstances which I am know suffering under  in Jan 1867. I rented a farm which is this year in Nash County NC for $35- dolars & Galton- M. C. Taylor proposed. to go into copartnership with me he is allso of the same county & State, 
as A horse farme I furnished 2 horses & he 2 after feeding my part of the teems he was to furnish every thing on the farm if I would not charge him for my services & I told him certainly I would not charge him if he would furnish every thing on the farme - all has gone on smoothly during the yeare untill I got the crop nearly housed. no disturbance with any of the laborours whatever, which if should be nesisary I can prove by my neighbors I resided on the farm my self & family & attended to the hands. Mr Taylor [[strikethrough]] at [[/strikethrough]] tended a farm at his own residence & when I was nearly through housing the crop at my house he came down he & Mr Stainback. the gentlemen he bought the Guano from to leve on my part of the Cotton to pay for half of the guano. I told him he promost to furnish every thing on this farme,

Transcription Notes:
Tough going, with the sloppy ink, rambling & repetitive story, and innovative spelling. The letter addressee must be General Edward Canby, who was assigned all over the country after the war ended, but at the date of this letter Canby was in command of the 2nd Military District, which consisted of North and South Carolina. Google guano and learn about its use as a fertilizer 1840-70 - huge import from Peru