Robert C. Kennedy Letter, to "My Personal acquaintances at Johnson's Island"

              [Letter from Robert C. Kennedy] 
My personal acquaintances at Johnsons 
Island. 
My dear fellows 
I leave this world in 
a few hours, and write merely to bid you 
adieu.  You, my former roommates and fellow 
prisoners will have some curiosity to know 
My feelings on this trying occasion.  Know 
that I am just as when I left you.  Want to 
avoid my fate if possible, but as I came 
will try to bear it with becoming fortitude. 
It is a sad affliction thus I am never 
Again to mount horse of fire a pistol. 
Your friend has been most unlucky in 
The game of life since he left you, 
But no matter what, as Genl. Chatham 
observed at Murfreesboro "cohesion or 
[illegible] tomorrow."  In regards 
to the future it is our a "leap in the 
dark."  I can only hope for the best.  There 
are too many to mention by name but I 
will the most humble my protégé 
"Tank" Goodbye.  Be true to our 
Cause and Country.  I have been 
so. 
Your unfortunate friend 
R.C. Kennedy