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Athens Sept. [September] 16th 1856. 
Dear Sister Callie --
I am just home from my Circuit -- & though I have "a pile" of letters to answer this morning I feel disposed to write to you. Most sincerely do I trust -- that our Heavenly Father has answered our prayer -- & in mercy has spared to you & your Husband your noble boy -- . Yet I know that your Heart & Faith concur, in believing that He doeth all things well -- & in saying "not my will -- but Thine be done" -- I hope that this most severe of tests will not be placed to your faith -- but I have the confidence to believe -- that it will not stagger nor fail --

The prospect of seeing you & your family -- with your Mother on her return reconciles all of us -- even your Father -- to her continued absence -- & he begs me to say to you -- that he waits patiently to see you all -- It would be idle



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to say to one who knows him as well as you do -- that he does not feel the disappointment -- of your mother's postponed return -- Yet I assure you that he would have said to her that she ought to remain with you in your trying situation
Muggie managed to go to [unclear text: Lid's] yesterday & see her -- She was very feeble -- but is improving -- Lid -- is doing well & has a fine boy -- The balance of the family are in usual health --

I called a few days ago to see Mrs Orr -- ([unclear text: Lizzie Towns]) She ran out of the room -- but left her work basket -- I noticed that she was making a very small dref [dress] with a great deal of trimming & [unclear text: inserting] about it -- I drew my inferences -- You can draw yours --

[unclear text: Bob. McCay] & his wife & child came up yesterday on a visit to [unclear text: Mrs Baxter] -- There is quite a controversy in the family -- as to who shall keep 



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old Mrs Wiley with them -- Sue has carried the day I hear --
Tell Porter -- I am with him now -- a fire eater & a disunionist I fear -- & believe that Frmont's election is certain -- & I am for immediate disunion -- I can't see that the South can remain in the Union without humiliation & degradation --

What a salmagundi I have written you -- yet it is a daguerreotype of my mind -- if it only added a few words on some legal point --

God bless you & your Sister Callie -- with his choicest blessings -- All send warmest love to Mother -- self -- Husband -- [unclear text: Jimmie] & the babies


Truly and affectionately 
Your Brother 
[Signed] Thos.. R.R. Cobb