Kinston, NC
November the 2 1864
My Deir Wife and children
I seate my self this morning with a troub beld harte and a de strest mind to try to rite a few lines to let you no that I hiered my sentens red yesterday and hit was very Bad. I am very sory to let you no all read dy that I hafte to bee shot the 9 of this month. I am sory to in form you that I hav but 7 dayes to live but I hope and trust in god when thay have slane my body that god will take my sole to este whier I will meete my little babe that is gon be fore. My dier wife I think I could die better sadesfide if I could see you and the children one more time on erth and talk wih you but my time is so short I done exspct to ever see you and my dier lile dchildren eny more on erth.
I can in form you that I receved 2 leters for you yesterday witch I red with plesur witch you giv me some sadesfaction to heir that you was all well and doing well. I receved the close that you sent to m by lt smith. I exspect that will be my bearying close. I receved a canteen of brandy also but am in too mutch truble to drink. My dier wife I wante you to come to see mee if you can gi abner brooks to come with you if can my dayes be perlonged. My dier wife if I see you no more on erth donte grieve for mee nether lamente nor morne mee. I hope I shal with my Jesus bee while you ar left a lon. I pray that god will be with you and helpe you rase your children up in the noledge of th truth and the lorde and savior Jesus christe.
A woird to my children witch is in my harte in nature seem to bind. James I wonted you to bee a good boy and obey your mother. Also sissy you muste bee a smarte little girl and bee good to the babey and call to Jobey. I hope that god will bee with you all so far well children you cane se you papy no more on erth.
My dier wife thes times has ben sweet. I have spent with you but no I muste depart from you and nevr more return but let this no griv your hart. I pray that the lorde will bee with you and helpe you out in all your troubles and trile hier bee low. So far well dier wife
J.R. Redmond condem to die
Source: Christopher Watford, ed. The Civil War in North Carolina: Soldiers’ and Civilians’ Letters and Diaries, 1861-1865, Volume 2. (Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company, Inc., 2003). Original in the Military Collection, North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh.
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