Well, I am on the long ride from Washington, D.C., where I resigned as a
Senator, to my home in Mississippi.  I can't help but think of my entire life
here in America.  I was born in Kentucky, just like old Abe Lincoln.  Now,
I'm a Southerner and he's a Northerner.  I reckon Abe isn't a bad guy - just
doing his job.

I am only 53 years old, but feel like I've lived 100 years.  I must say that
my happiest days were at West Point Military Academy.  Boy, were those the
days!  I remember fighting the Mexican Wars - how scared we were.  I fought
right along side with men who will now wear a different uniform than mine -
U.S. Grant, William T. Sherman, and that young fella - George McClellan. 
Wow!  It's hard to imagine them as my enemies.  At least a lot of the great
soldiers from West Point will probably side in the South.

I can't wait to see my lovely Varina.  I haven't been on our plantation for
nearly 18 months.  That's a long time for a man to be away from his wife and
home.  

My mind is still full of concerns.  What is Abe Lincoln going to do once he
is inaugurated?  Only time will tell.  How am I going to fight against my
fellow men?  It was different against Mexico, but now....