I hope this letter won’t make you unhappy. Well, we must always take things as they come as whatever is the will of God will be done.

Anyhow, though 'tis a good thing to be happy in this world ‘tis better to be happy in the next.

This world is really only a valley of tears – so you must not fret when you read this letter.

My dear mother you know a little of the charge against me. Well after about one month my sentence has come through ‘tis the extreme penalty ‘tis all for the best.

Thank God I’ll have the priest now in short and don’t fret for I’ll be prepared to go in the morning.

Two officers brought in the sentence this evening they were rather nice fellows.

They seemed sorry to be the bearers of such news.

Please God I’ll be able to walk out tomorrow without flinching. I admit it appears a hard thing but it’s the end and I like to die a soldier. It is not the same as being shot down fighting but one has the consolation of seeing the priest beforehand.

Of course I was expecting this but I did not like to tell you.

All I ask is your prayers and don’t fret about me.

I’ll be alright with God’s help.

I will close now asking God to bless, protect and strengthen you my own dear mother and father.

Your loving son Leo XXX

Source Chris Dowling