“My dear and beloved wife I have often times wrote to you and you have wrote to me, but I expect this will be the last time for I have not seen a well day in three months, been in Hospital about three weeks. I have chronick diorhea. I can’t live but a few days longer if the Lord restores to life I have suffered a grate deal. Dear wife I am sorry to leave you and my dear little children. I love you all dearly, but the Lord will be done. Patty don’t greave for me for I have strong faith in Jesus who has died on the cross to save all the finaly faithful. Patty meet me in heaven which I beleave you are a true hearted Christian, teach the children to pray to the ways of God, tell them father said they must meet him in heaven, tell them not to use bad words and to mind their mother. Patty always keep the children at home together don’t hire them out, don’t hire nobody if you can help what is wicked. Send the children to school all you can, and it is my request for them that is able of my neighbors to assist in schooling them, and give them good and adviseable correction. Dear wife tell Brother Simmy and Thomas that if they outlive the war it was my request that they should do all they could possibly could in paying attention to my children in raising them. Patty Mr. Banderson Hatchel nursed me while I have been sick, he is mighty good but he has too many sick to nurse. Patty I have left a fifty dollar note on Lieut. Dove which when he gets the money he will send it to you. It is my request that all my family Brother Sister father Should meet me in heaven dear father I want you to do all for my children as long as you live and it is in your power. I am getting too weak to write. I can whisper now. My last letter to my beloved wife, Wm. Isaiah Kirby.”