After carfully reading President Wilson’s ultimatum as to our part in the great world’s war, knowing that Berlin is far away from the borders of France, that Paris is only about ninety miles from the German army, it seems to me that if the Kaiser and his army can not be driven out of France in three years hard fighting, and that now Russia and Roumania are down and out of it, there can be but one thing left for the United States of America, and that is a prolonged and bloody war.

As North Carolina has such a vast water front of sounds and bays, it strikes me that our coast will be the most inviting base for German sub-marines, and with Mexico as an ally of Germany, my opinion is that we may look out for a German invasion and depredations, and that not far distant. This serious menace, if it comes, will have to be met, and I write to you and most earnestly ask you to appoint or have me appointed - commissioned - to raise a Cavalry Regiment to cover our Eastern Coast with pickets, scouts etc..

I am seventy three years old, Nov. 1st and am in good health; served in Barringer’s Brigade of Cavalry, and was in the service about three and a half years. I am well acquainted with cavalry duties; have practiced medicine over forty years; am now captain of my old company (by election since the war), am a retired officer of the North Carolina National Guard.

I know somewhere along the line I can serve again, and all of our men, I believe, are going to be needed, and that soon.

Preferring cavalry, I most anxiously ask you to consider and accept my services.