02/08/2022
The following poem was written in a Bible owned by Alpha Cook - 21st North Carolina. Cook was killed in the battle of Cedar Creek in 1864. His Bible was taken from his co**se by a Federal soldier on the battlefield, 15 years later that Federal soldier would return that Bible to Cook's mother. This is the poem that Cook had written:
"I want to see my mother nigh, Oh can you call her name?
It wouldn't seem hard to die to have my mother near.
My home is in the mountains, up where the pine trees wave;
Was there I heard the bugle calling for the brave.
But, I want to see my mother, her tender, Loving eye -
and hear her footstep, to hear her call my name.
To have her pray beside me - No other prays the same.
I want to clasp her dear hand, and hold her to my heart,
And say, God bless you Mother, once more before we part.
Mother, Mother, come to me! I cannot die alone.
Come quick my Angel Mother, Oh, Don't hear me groan.
Oh No, she does not hear me, she doesn't know my pain
and She'll never, ever, see my old seat again
She's tending darling sister - I've dreamed of her all day.
And I hear my little prattler lisping, Brudder far away.
Oh God! O Chaplain, Hear me! Pray Heaven will give me grace;
to still this Dying longing To see my Mother's face.
There. Peace! I'll turn to Jesus, He never would complain -
He came to save his country, Yet Jesus too was slain.
Yes, Brother, God has heard you, He's calmed my agony.
My sins are all forgiven now: and he is all to me.
Then tell my blessed Mother, I'm dying peacefully -
Christ Jesus now is Mother! and he will take care of me."
Photo: Unidentified Confederate soldier with Bible.
North Carolina Confederates