1861 Nov[ember] 23rd

Capt. C C Cocke

Dr Sir:

I received your letter of the
18th Inst to day and was sorry to learn that you
had not received neither of two letters which I had
written you--After the receipt of your letter containing an
extension of my furlough I went to Richmond five days
previous to the expiration of the furlough for the purpose
of getting an extension there of the your furlough to the 10th,
which if I could not have procured I was determi-
ned (though there under medical treatment) to proceed
to Centreville in order to report n the time prescribed by your
furlough--I found upon application at the Adjutant
General's Office that it was only necessary to forward
the certificate of Dr. Winn which I had with me, to
the Captain of my company and that each certificate
sent at intervals would answer the renewal of the furlough
I then had & showed them--I therefore forwarded to you
from Richmond on the 6th Nov. the certificate and also
wrote a letter--In that I stated that my strength was returning
and I hoped to be able in a week or so to rejoin the company;
notwithstanding the opinion of my physician and those who saw
me during my sickness that my recovery would be slow--
The bronchial affection however under which I then suffered
and which has not yet released its hold upon me, thwarted
me in my expectation and at two weeks from that time

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I again wrote you and asking your opinion as to my
resignation, basing it mainly upon the inconvenience and
dissatisfaction which my continued absence owing to
sufficient or insufficient reason would give
the Company--I am still incapable of performing my
duty of camp, not daring to expose myself with all of
the advantages of home life to camp atmosphere, and
I therefore submit to you my resignation and as request
of you the proper mode of application--I know the
imputation which naturally falls to the lot of one circum-
strained as I am , and to broach it has cost me some
difficulty, yet to escapt it I cannot consent to do
a foolish act and do what prudence and common
justice forbid--i.e. to expose myself to imminent risk
of life for no available purpose--If you have not
received the certificate which I forwarded you I will
get Dr. Winn to give you a professional statement of
the my condition of health--Hoping Sir that
you may yet receive my former letters, which will
show that no indifference towards the Company
or remissness in my line of duty has controlled me
during my absence--I should be glad to hear from
you at your earliest convenience--Excuse
the haste & drollery of this letter as I am replying
to be in time for return mail--the encelope being a
roadside invention

I am respectfully yrs &c
F S Johnson

MSS 640