Newbern N. C. March the 17^th 1863  General Hospital

 

Dear Wife I am in the hospital I am very sick I have been sick a long time and I must break to you the sad thought that when a few more days are past I shall be no more I must the the sad realities of death & eturnity these few lines you will read in sorow tis hard to think that I never can behold your loving eyes againe, can never can fold you in my arms & againe can never see our little one againe can never engoy our pleasant home no more but tis Gods will & and what he wills is best for a few weeks past by the help of a noble officer that came in to see me I have been trying to get ready for death and think that he has forgiven me so dont despaire I feel that tis well with me I feel fuly [?]

 

my friends to be shure and not put off the

till they are brought on a sick bed like me

this blest hope while you have health and

all the world besides I never knew the worth

I could live my life over againe early in youth

but thank God that I have found him even

I have had a fever and then sore throat and

God onely knows what next but never mind

of pain of toile and twill be done I will be

laying in one position not being able to help himself

God will go through the ye valey and shadow

of death but long to be at rest that rest

people of God Dear wife I must say good Bye/

 

Tis evening now I am growing worse it seemes to me that that my time is almost come but tis well with me as I cannot live so I shal be gld when I am relieved by death but be shure and remember my last request may God help you my dear wife Put your trust fully in him who onely can save and live a life devoted fully to his cause so that we can meet where parting is inknoon I may not live to ut write you againe so you if I dont take this as my last Farewell so now dear and beloved wife Good Bye meet me in heaven

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