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Wednesday night 

Marion Oct. [October] 23rd 1856 
My dearest wife,

Your letter bringing the cheering intelligence of our darling'is [darling's] improvement, the first news I have rec'd [received] since we parted, came this evening tis [it is] as early as I expected, in fact the mail could not come through quicker -- I have put off writing you till [until] this late hour hoping to see Dr [Doctor] Bates and have just learned from [unclear text: Whitsets] that the Dr. [Doctor] will not return from his plantation to-night [tonight] -- If Joe does not improve had you not best consult Dr Moore? I think you had -- I am afraid you are influenced by my great aversion to physic to prevent your doing as you think best -- I have every confidence in the judgment of my wife and insist on her acting upon it -- I will however see Dr. [Doctor] Bates and from your minute "diagnosis" (I believe thats [that's] the word ) he can almost see the patient -- Your letter is exactly the kind I like about my darlings -- While at supper at Sisters Bob [unclear text: Goree] sent for Lucy and Mary [unclear text: Jim] to see Carry -- she is looking out soon for squalls --




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I saw Earwin in town to-day [today] -- little Callie has recovered -- family pretty well -- I called at Aunt Ruthy's as I came up this morning -- she expressed great sympathy for you and asked most affectionately about Muggy and Lid and in fact about you all --

My House, not home, is mighty lonely I sleep there, take breakfast and dine and tea about -- I do miss my darlings so much and long for court to be over --

More than a hundred friends have inquired most kindly about you and little man --

Good night my own beloved wife kiss my son and believe me truly

Your devoted 

[Signed] Porter 

I have written you three letters