Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1859-12-02
CHARLEsrowN Jan, Va
November l6, 1859.

November 10, 1859.
DEAR BRorHKR AND SISTER OF NY ADOPTION:
After long interval Of silence l sit me down
TO write to you. Not as Of yoro, in freedom,
but doomed man within prison cell, wearing
prisoners chains As one who las heard his
death sentence spoken end whose hours Of life
are numbered.
Oh you little thought when last we parted,
nor, no more did /, that such doom was then
in store for mo. That he to whom your friend
ship and affection gave the endearing name Of
Brother, should ere two short years had pass
ed have been styled Traitor and mHrdsrer.-
Yet 60 it is.
One short month more and HE whom your
generous hospitality welcomed TO your happy
home will stand upon the scafrold to take his
last look of earth. Surrounded by a gaping
crowd who are eager for our blood, my com,
rades and myself amid their scoffs and jeers
must die The dread Of death with me is small
For have faced !. of before gnainching and
it now must come and the disgrace attendant
on it The only ties that bind me are the ties
Of kindred and affection. These it is true
bring with them deaths deep agony, and al
most crush the spirit with their weight of woe.
Brave men have fllen in this brief, fatal
struggle. Comrades who to me were brothers,
companions of many scene Of danger, and
many happy hour sleep in their bloody
grace with the cold earth above them. They
died as they had ever lived. brave men and true.
Eleven OF twent,two fell in the contest
Five more were already doomed; another but
awai his trial to meet the same sad fate
Those who fell, died like brave men. Those
who yet remain will not shame trust their
comrades who are gone. We l trust shall calmly
meet our doom untrembling and unshaken; and
our souls with no guilt of intention upon their
robes will seek mightIer Judgment Throne,
where mercy is not guilt, We will appeal to
that higher Court, which judges of the mo.
tives which actuate aud govern US.
Our days Of earthly life are numbered. But
beyond the graves dark confines we shall
spring to higher, holier life amid the undyinq
radiance OF Eternity. There only can the iDmost
heart be read-there only can we truly know
each other.
Oh! oft through the long interval of silence
which has past, have my thoughts wandered
back to The circle OF your home The memory
Of your disinlerested and devoted affection has
dwelt with me ever as bright beacon OF the past
joys Landmark in the Log Book ofmy life. A
footprint on the shore of Time on which my
heart has longing gazed with love and hope
OFT in the silence which has past have antici-
pated happy meeting and fond reunion
round your joyous hearth. And faney's pencil
these bright hopes has tinged with loves own
rainbow light. But now we meet no more on
this side of the river of death. But trust that
we beyond the shadOwy stream may meet amid
those bright Elysian Bowers where friends no
more may part and Farewells are unknown But
before go hence will bid you in these hasty
lines, Farewell, Farewell forever on the shore of
Earth. And with these parting words accept
my love and deep affection for all your kinds
ness TO the waYward and erring Brother Of your
adoption. Bid your Father and Mother, Sister
and Brother farewell for me. Tell them though
absent, they are not forgotten; that their names
are stlll fresh and green upon the tablet of my
memory. That here, within these prison walls
bear their image with me, and their kindness
to the Stranger is craven in undyiug letters up
on his heart.
Remember me to your dear children. Kiss
them for me; and with that kiss give them my
wv oAd DSht Wlbtlcs lOI luelT ehELulH anu eLer-
nal welfare.
And oh when l am gone; think of me
sometimesi and let your hearts cherish the
name of him to whom in your love and friend.
ship you gave the lame of Brother.
And let me still, although an inmate of these
prison walls, share as in days of yore in your
love- and let me also through the tongue of the
absent, still hold converse with you in your
happy home. Write to me and let me know of
your welfare and your happiness. Forgive my
errors, all my faults forgive, and remember me
still with the same love and affection that
you were wont to feel for me in bye gone days
Accept my love and best wishes for your hap,
piness and prosperity. Good bye, and may G cd
be with you, and bless you, is the prayer of
him who here subscribes himself the Brother
of your adoption, JOHN Il. Cook.
T. .. Direct to me in care of Sheriff Camp
bell, CLarlestown, Jefferson Co., Virginia, as
all the letters are opened and read by him be.
fore receive them.
remain, as ever, your adopted Brother,
JOHN Z. Cook.