There, to their utter consternation, they found General Read lying dead upon a lounge with a Derringer pistol grasped in one hand, while the other was folded upon his chest.
It was written without the slightest evidence of temor, in unusually free and manly chirography and gives no idex to the frame of the unfortunate gentleman.
The sad, piteous, heartbroken and yet bold utterance of the letter reveals how a brave man can be reduced to such a dreadful alternative.
I have been the farmer's son, the mechanic, the soldier, the officer, the professional gentleman, in all of which I am confident that I am entitled to respectful consideration.
So with the fresh memory of the honor of my native State, and with love and kindness towards my family, I bid farewell.