Oct 29th, 1865

My own dear Addie,

I hope you will not think for a moment that I have forgotten you. I wrote to you last

Dec. and Beddie took the letter when her was retreating from here and sent it to Trenton.

I wrote you again last Aug. and after I received your first letter, directed it to Memphis. It is very strange that you never received any of my letters, though I suppose it is owing to the irregularity of the mails. Nov 12th, 1865 - Dear Addie say that you missed much by not getting them. They would tell you that I hadn't forgotten Addie, no indeed. I often think how may pleasant moments we have spent together and often wish I could recall them.

I commenced this letter 2 or 3 weeks ago, Addie, seems to me I never will get an opportunity to finish it. I have so much to attend to that I do not have much time for writing as it is very hard to get anything done by the servants. I tell you Addie, I often wish for the arrival of Christmas, that we may get clear of some we have. I wish sometimes that I never had seen a negro. I know I would be much happoer than I am now. I often think of the happy hours I once enjoyed, how different it was once that I could feel like singing or at least trying. But now my feelings are so different. I seldom feel like laughing. I will quit writing you in such a sad strain. I don't wish to make you sad for one moment. I reckon you received the letterthat I sent to you last, telling you that I was confined in July, had a child born dead. Mr. Wright was absent at the time in Miss. There has been a good many marriages in and around this neighborhood and several deaths. Fannie Gillespie was married to Jack Gordon about two weeks ago, had quite a nice supper and I have been told a splendid bridal wardrobe. Ann J. Patterson was also married the same day to a Mr. Sewell and Lizzie Thomas was married last week to a Mr. Hern from Wilson Co. I believe there has been a marriage not far from this neighborhood every Thursday since the 24th of August. I presume you haven't heard of Uncle Billy Hunter and Aunt Sallie's deaths. Aunt Sallie died about 1 weeks before Uncle Billy. His death was quite sudden. He got up one morning, went around and woke the negroes up and was taken sick and had to be carried back to the house and died in about an hour. Addie, I don't think a better and more clever man ever lived than Uncle Billy. Cousin Ben, poor fellow, is left without father or mother and his right arm off, his education not completed and I reckon with but very little money. He certainly ought to have the sympathy of every feeling heart. Mollie Henderson (Hanna that was) had a sad calamity to befall her a few weeks ago, had her right hand caught in a molasses mill and mashed so badly it had to be taken off at the wrist. E. H. Gracy is living at her husband's father's about ten miles from here. She is looking very badly at this time. She was married last Dec. Its reported that Julia Perry and Clay Mack is to be married this fall. I expect it is true from the signs of the time. I have just had quite a pleasant visit from Cousin Laura and Cousin Rissa this evening. Cousin Rissa is fixing to go to keeping house next year, is going to live where Cousin Hunter did live before the war. Cousin R wrote you a long letter not long since and directed it to Trenton. Addie we had quite a revival of religion at McLain's not long ago, had a good many conversions. Cassie N. (?) was among the number. Cassie Holder (?), Willis Perry and a number of others. As it is getting late, I will close this dull epistle by asking you to come and see us this winter and spend some time with me. You have no idea how much I would like to see you. I think you ---