
My Dear Mother, This is the last you may ever hear from me. I have time to tell you that I died like a man. Bear my loss as best you can. Remember that I am true to my country and my greatest regret at dying is that she is not free and that you and my sisters are robbed of my worth, whatever that may be. I hope that this will reach you, and you must not regret that my body cannot be obtained, it is a mere matter of form anyhow. This is for my sisters too, as I cannot write more. Send my dying release to Miss Mary...you know who. J. S. Gage Co. A, 11th Miss. P.S. This letter is stained with my blood.

















