Gettysburg Penn.

July 3rd

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 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 this will reach you and you must not regret that my body can not be obtained. It is mere matter of form anyhow.
This is for my sisters too as I can write no more. Send my dying release to Miss Mary...you know who.
This letter is stained with my blood.

J.S. Cage Co A, 11th Miss.