Letter to Rebecca Harris concerning her husband, John A. Harris - Co. D, 19th Louisiana Infantry
John A. Harris Letters - Special Collections - Emory Univ., Atlanta, GA
In the Field Near Atlanta July 30th, 1864
Mrs. Rebecca Harris
As a friend to Your Self and husband it becomes my painful duty to inform you of the death of your husband. He fell on the 28th inst Nobly defending his Country…[manuscript mutilated]…he died in a very few moments. Mrs Harris deeply do I sympathize with you but I am aware of the fact that all the sympathy _______ _______ give you ….[several words indecipherable] …little consolation. But a Christian heart like your will turn to the words of a blessed Saviour that never failing source of heavenly love…[manuscript torn]… affliction is one of the hardest trials that we have on earth that of parting forever with a dear companion. But such is life. It is not left to us to say when we are willing to part with our loved ones but God takes them in His own proper time and was as Christian people should submit to his …[three words indecipherable]… Your husband died a true patriot and good soldier. And Angels have caught up his Spirit and carried it to a land of rest where there is no war nor troubles to molest. And where you will meet him on the bright elysian fields of paradise after your race is run here on earth…[several words indecipherable] … believe me to be your sincere and …[signature indecipherable]
[There are many more poignant letters from John Harris to his beloved Rebecca. We chose to print only a couple. He appears, from his letters to never have been granted the furlough that he so often talked about in his letters and was, thus, never able to come home to see his family again.]