1863
     Overton Hospital   Feby 15th  
My Dear Wife
                          I received your
Kind letters Yesterday and was
very glad to hear from you but
Sorry to hear of the Children
being Sick but I hope they
are all better by this time
I am here In the Hospital
very sick with the Chronic
Diarhea I am not able to sit
up any at all I don’t see any
  Chance at all to get to go
Home.  If I was discharged
I could not go home now for
I am not able but If I
get better I think I will
get a discharge and go home
  You Spoke In your leter about
coming to See me I would
like very much to See you

but I would rather You
[words crossed out] would
not undertake Such a trip
It would be exposing Your
health to much  If it
Should be the Case that I
am called away my selection
for Administrator would be
Solomon Boyles,  I would
rather If you can keep the
property all together and
not have any Administrator
but I hope and trust that
I may be permitted to
return home but If I
do be called off I believe
that I am prepared
and I want you and all
the Children to prepare
for death  I believe I have
nothing moore to write at
present I close by remaining
as Ever your affectionate