Letter from Private Ollin Goddin to Governor Zebulon B. Vance
Fayetteville NC 27 Feb/1863
Govr Vance
Dear Sir
Please pardon the liberty which a poor soldier takes in thus addressing you as when he volunteered he left a wife with four children to fight for his country. He cheerfully made the sacrifices thinking that the Govt. would protect his family and keep them from starvation. In this he has been disappointed for the Govt. has made a distinction between the rich man (who has something to fight for) and the poor man who fights for that he never will have. The exemption of the owner of 20 negroes & the allowing of substitutes clearly proves it. . . . Now Govr. Do tell me how we poor soldiers who are fighting for the "rich mans negro" can support our families at $11 per Month? How can the poor live? I dread to see summer as I am fearful there will be much suffering and probably many deaths from starvation. They are suffering now. A poor little factory girl begged for a piece of bread the other day & said she had not had anything to eat since the day before when she eat a small piece of Bread for her Breakfast. . . .
Respectfully your obedient servant
O. Goddin Private Co D, 51st Regt. N.C.T.
on detached service
