Captain J. M. Cathey, in camp near Weldon, North Carolina, to his father, Col. J. Cathey, February 15, 1864. Captain Cathey writes of his personal feelings and concerns, his health, recent events, the reenlistment of fellow soldiers for additional military service, and favors sought from Col. Cathey by his fellow soldiers.

James Madison Cathey was a captain in Company F, 25th North Carolina (North Carolina Troops, vol. 7, p. 408). Rodom C. Best enlisted in Haywood County in September, 1863, and served with Captain Cathey in the 25th Regiment, Company F (North Carolina Troops, vol. 7, p. 409).

Camp near Weldon N.C.
Feb 15th 1864
Col. J. Cathey
Dear Father
I will _____
write you a line this wet
evening as I can’t do anything
else, and if you are _____
like to hear if it is only
a few lines. My health is good
has been most of the time lately
was a little sick 3 days
ago. The rest of the boys are
well and seem to be very well
satisfied A great many are reen-
listing for the war some of
the companys have entirely enlis
ted 20 of Co. “F” I have not had a
letter from home in some time
the last brought me the sad news
of Sister Sallie being so sick
I am very uneasy and ancious

to here I fear the tories will trou-
ble you it makes me uneasy
all the time My life is not mu-
ch pleasure to me I have not
had a letter from my dear wife in
several days she was well the last
but was low in spirits. R.C.
Best paid me ten dollars to be cr.
his note he wants to know how much
it is if you want it lifted let me
know & I can get it I gave him my
Receipt for the 10 dollars charge the
same to me J.N. Davis wants to know
if you will take his money & let his
family have _____ to live on as they _____
it. he is afraid his Father will get
drunk and spend it. he don’t want
his Father to know that he has writen
to you about it. he said if it would
trouble you to much not to do it. he
would get some one else to do it _____
_____ not have so much to do. I haven’t
any mor news to write mor than you
have heard. nothing _____ the Richmond
paper to day ran. write soon & often to your
son in the sadness give my --- to all. your son till death.
J.M. Cathey

[bottom, second page]
we are under marching orders at
present don’t know where we are expect
ed to go if at all. never know until we
get to our journeys end.

[top, first page]
I want (?) to _____
May (?) al____
J. N. Hyatt
I am looking
for _____
all _____ _____
now. write
soon do
write I am
so _____
_____ you _____
J.M.C.