Letter from W. A. Smith to Governor Zebulon B. Vance
Boon Hill Johnston County NC. Jan 3rd. 1863—
To His Excellency Gov. Vance,
Sir,
The people of Johnston County owe allegiance first to North Carolina secondly to the Confederate States, and accordingly, to my Humble judgement protection is due from North Carolina to her Citizens even against the injustice of the Confederate authorities; but so far from the State protecting Johnston County and equalizeing her among her sister Counties, the State itself seems at the present time to be almost as injust as the would be Aristocratic and demanding Horse leeches of the Confederate Service. Not long since a man, who said he had authority from the Commander at Goldsboro, but who could not read his own instructions, having never had the blessing extended to him of learning his letters came to this his native County with and armed force to press and take our wagons & mules from us, his particular friends he passed by lightly, those whom he before had old grudge against, he robed of all they had in the way of teames, and if they objected he threatened them should they not hush there complaints to take them and force them into the Confederate Service. . . .
With Great Respect I am Your obt Servant
W. A. Smith
