Justus W. Ferris to Pendleton Murrah, February 14, 1864

The laws of last Legislature have not yet
reached us; and I write you to know what provision
is made, if any, for detailing some persons to
remain at home whose services are absolutely required
at home.

For instance Mr Parton is our shoe-maker—has
a shop with two workman [sic] beside himself[.] He
works hard night & day, and on very reasonable
terms. The soldiers in the army from this county
are dependant on this shop for shoes. If he is
taken away, his shop is closed & not only the
soldiers but our women & children must go barefooted[.]
He certainly can do more service for the army & the
county making shoes & boots here, than he possibly
could in the army. We got up a petition
to you to have him detailed—it has been returned
without any action[.] He is enrolled in the militia[.]

Now if there is not some regard made to
these things & to home interests, there will be
suffering at home & that shortly[.]

Here in the wheat region, with a large crop
last year, it is very difficult to procure bread-stuffs
for indigent families. The wheat crop for the
coming year has been seriously injured by the frost
& freeze of last winter[.] There must be a short