Give my respects to all inquiring friends
Sept. 30th 1862
My very dear Brother,
After having a long frolic with the girls, I have come in with the full determination of completing the pleasant task, of replying to your much prized epistle, which I received last Thursday; and would have been pleased if circumstances would have permited [sic] me to write sooner. I was very sorry to hear of Cousin G___'s and Will's [sic] ill health, and sincerely hope that they are by this time convalescent.
Cousin Will, wrote to me several days before he left VA., but did not say that he would leave for home so soon.
Today one week ago, was Mr. De Schweinitze's birthday and you may well imagine what a nice time