Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1859-12-10
CnARLEsTowN JAIL, Va, |
November l6, 1859. !

DEAR BROTHER AND SISTER OF MY ADOPTION
After long interval of silence sit me down
to write to you. Not as Of yore, in freedom, but
doomed man within prison cell, wearing a pris
oncr's chains As one who has heard his dea,t
sentence spoken and whose hours Of life are mum
bered.
! Oh you little thought when last We parted
nor, no more did I, that such doom was then il
store for me. That ho TO whom your friendship
and affection gave the endearing name Of Brother
should ere two short years, had passed have beer
styled a Traitor and Murderer. Yet SO it is.
One shl rt month more aud uE whom your gen
erous hospitality welcomed to your happy home
will stand upon the scaAfold to take his last look
Of earth, Surrounded BY q gaping crowd who
are eager for our blood, my comrades anG myself
amid their SCOTS and jeers must die. The dread
of death with me is small For have faced il
oft before, unhiuching and suntrcmbling. Il only
dread the mode in which il now, must come, end
the disgrace attendant on it. The only ties tha,
bind me are the ties Of kindred and affection
These it is true bring with them DEATHS deep
agony, and almost crush the spirit with their
eight of woe. Il .yss 7t Is-ege ,eg ssyE.t
Brave men have fallen in this brief, fatal strug
gle. Comrades who to me were brothers, com pan
ions of many scene of danger. and many hap
py hour. sleep in their bloody grare with the cold
earth above them. They died as they had ever
lived, brave men and true. Eleven Of twenty-five
fell in the contest. Five more were already DOOM
ed another but awaits his trial to meet tho same
late. ..gt .p-ytf. .r,. 81 7.--yt,.y
Those who fell died like bravo men. Those
T
rades who are gone. We trust shall camly meet
our doom untrembling anG unshaken ; and oal
souls with no guilt Of intention upon their robes
will seek mlghtier Judgment Throne, where
mercy is not guilt. We will appeal to that high
er Court, which Judges of the motives which ac
tuate and govern US. .,'....i, .., f.. ...-
Our days of earthly life are numbered Bu
beyond the graves dark confines we shall spring
to higher, holier life, amid the undying radiance
of Eternity. There only can the inmost heart be
read--thers only can VIC truly know each other.
i Oh oft through the long interval oe silence
which has past, have my thoughts wandered bacl
to the circle of your home. The memory of your
devoted affection has dwelt with mo ever as
bright beacon of the past-joy's landmark in the
Log Book of my life-a footprint on the shore
of Time on which my heart has longing gaset
with love an hope. Oft in the silence which ha.
passed have anticipated happy meeting and q
fond reunion round your joyous hearth. And
fancy's pencil these bright hopes has tinged viii
loves own rainbow Light. But now We NEE, nC
more on this side the river. of death, But l trus
that we beyond tho sbadowy stream may NEE
amid those bright Elysian Bowers where, friends
no more may part and. Farewells are unknown
But before 60 hence will bid you in these has
" lines Farewell, Farewell forever on the shore
of Earth. And with these parting words accep
my love and deep affection for all your kindness
to the wayward and erring brother of your adop
,ion. Bid your Father and Mother, Sister ant
Brother farewell for me. Tell them though ab
sent they are not forgotten that their names arr
still fresh and green upon the tablet Of my mem
ory. That here, within these prison walls. ! bea
their image with me. and their kindness tolth'
Stranger is craven ip, updying Letters upon hi
heart. f- .,,te4 ..-.t ,.-ebcI ts 11i-l- i
Remember me to your dear children. Kiss then
for me and with that kiss give them my love ant
best wishes for their earthly and eternal welfare
And oh !! when am gone think Of me some
times and let your hearts cherish. the nams o
him to whom in your love and friendship you CAV
the name Of Brother. asdi 10 iaeG'.is!ls ls>iia