Gen Rosecrans,
Sir in approaching you through this means I wish to give you an honest and detailed account of my case, concerning my arrest and confinement and the causes that led to it.

On the 17th of last May I received a notice from Gen. R.E. Lee that I was appointed as an assistant surgeon for a camp of instruction to be gotten up at Grafton and that I should report myself immediately to the officer in command. I left home on the 27th of May to go to Grafton and see what was going on there, but intended to return home on the next day and so promised my family, but when I got to Grafton to my astonishment I found that the United States troops have came in behind me and I was told that if I returned home that I would be either killed or made a prisoner of, and that I had better go down east with others of my friends who were going from Marion Co., which I did. But would have gladly returned home to my family as I had promised to do had I not been afraid.

I never accepted the place to which I was ordered to report, nor any other connection with the rebel army, but strenuously avoided having any connection therewith, being determined to return home when ever opportunity offered. And knowing that I could not do so with safety if I had a connection with the Southern Cause. I was repeatedly offered a comission but refused and for no other cause than that I was determined to return home and be a loyal citizen. About the first of October in company with a friend who was determined upon the same purpose, we left the east to make our way home and after making around the Southern forces at Greenbriar River we came inside of the Federal lines and was arrested and taken before Gen. Kelley at Grafton who sent us to this prison to await the wish of our Union friends, who have sent two liberally signed petitions forward for my release. What has become of these petitions and whether they ever came to hand or not I don't know.

I employed Mr. F. Smith of Marion Co. to set my case before the authorities but he has treated me badly and for that reason I have chosen to appeal to you myself.

I did vote for secession which I have ever regretted and am today as sorry for the destruction of this once glorious Union. As any other man with my capacities I always expected to take an oath of allegiance to the government, which I today am willing to do and obey.

I have a wife and five small children depending upon me and my restoration to them would be received as the greatest favor at your hand. I have been in confinement for about two and a half months. My health is declining and my spirits are gone.