[Len Gouge was my great-grandfather.]

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Volunteer Enlistment

STATE OF North Carolina

TOWN OF Mitchel County

I, Joseph L. Guge, born in Mitchel Co. in the State of NC, aged 19 years, and by occupation a farmer DO HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGE to have volunteered this 25th day of March 1864 to serve as a Soldier in the Army of the United States of America, for the period of THREE YEARS, unless sooner discharged by proper authority: Do also agree to accept such bounty, pay, rations, and clothing as are, or may be, established by law for volunteers. And I, Joseph L. Guge do solemnly swear, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the United States of America, and that I will serve them honestly and faithfully against all their enemies or opposers whomsoever; and that I will observe and obey the orders of the President of the United States, and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to the Rules and Articles of War.

Sworn and subscribed to, at Mitchel Co. NC this 25th day of March 1864 Before Garret Honeycutt

Joseph L. Guge

I CERTIFY, ON HONOR, That I have carefully examing the above-named Volunteer, agreeably to the General Regulations of the Army, and that, in my opinion, he is free from all bodily defects and mental infirmity, which would in any way disqualify him from performing the duties of a soldier.

[Signature of the examining surgeon is illegible.]

I CERTIFY, ON HONOR, That I have minutely inspected the Volunteer, Joseph L. Guge previously to his enlistment, and that he was entirely sober when enlisted; that, to the best of my judgment and belief, he is of lawful age; and that, in accepting him as duly qualified to perform the duties of an able-bodied soldier, I have strictly observed the Regulations which govern the recruiting service. This soldier has Blue eyes, light hair, fair complexion, is 5 feet 8 inches high.

[signature:] Garret Honeycutt ist Lieut
3d NC Regiment of Mt Infantry Volunteers,
RECRUITING OFFICER