I'm writin' this letter, my darlin, from high on a hill.
We've been marchin' ten days and we're just outside Hawkinsville.
It's been snowin' all night and we ain't got no more kersosene.
It's colder than hell,
Hope you're doin' well,
Josephine.

There's a fever in camp and our boys are too sick to fight.
We done lost ol' Calvin;
Weaver won't make it through the night.
I overheard the Captain say it's the worst he's ever seen.
I'm losin' some weight
But I'm still standin' up straight,
Josephine.

CHORUS
Tell the children I miss 'em and wish I could kiss 'em once more.
Bet they've growed a foot since they waved me goodbye at the door.
Tell Mama and Daddy I'm all right
And just one more thing:
I love you, I love you, I love you, Josephine.

There's three thousand Union troops camped at the river below.
And six hundred of us -
At least there was two nights ago.
Will Irwin deserted and
They hung him down by the stream.
Good God, I'm so scared,
Keep me in your prayers,
Jospehine.

The order came down: we attack tonight at nightfall.
If we can stop 'em right here
We can win this war, once and for all.
You know, I killed a Union boy last week -
Bet he wasn't fourteen.
He looked just like our son,
Forgive me for what I've done,
Josphine.

CHORUS
Tell the children I miss 'em and wish I could kiss 'em once more.
Bet they've growed a foot since they waved me goodbye at the door.
Tell Mama and Daddy I'm all right
And just one more thing:
I love you, I love you, I love you, Josephine.

And lastly, my darling, in case I should be killed...
Don't grieve me too long
Promise me that you will
Marry another and don't let him treat our babies mean,
And when he's holding you, won't you think of me too, Josephine?

CHORUS
Tell the children I miss 'em and wish I could kiss 'em once more.
Bet they've growed a foot since they waved me goodbye at the door.
Tell Mama and Daddy I'm all right
And just one more thing:
I love you, I love you, I love you, Josephine.

Oh, I love you, I love you, I love you, Josephine.