My ever dear Husband

     Once again I am permited to write to you. Little Jimmie and his Ma, are, in fine health, and if you was at home we would be perfectly happy. I trust to God that day is not far away. I have written three times to you and think it doubtfull whether you have received them or not. How long the time has been since you was taken away from your little family, and Oh: how long untell you will be with us again? I still trust in our almighty God, and feel that he will bring us safely together again. Would I ever have believed I could have gone through with what I have the troubles of troubled days, and the sleepless of sleepless night, have

[illeg] over my life since last we met. and I know and feel every trouble you have gone through since then, I pray this will not last long. I have never been without a hope. I have tried all I could, to have you released, and know you will be it is only delayed, for men that know say there is no charge against you. I wrote to Jeff Davis, that you had been arrested, and sent off south without even a hearing, and wanted him to have justice done you. he wrote me a very simpathising letter and said the distance prevented him from managing the case. but that he had written to Kirby Smith [i.e., CS Maj. Gen. Edmund Kirby Smith] and called his special attention to the case, I then had all the depositions of those men and more too taken that Swan wrote me to get, and sent them to Kirby Smith he sent it to Richmond

[2 1/2 lines struck by censor] John Brenner then had us to get up a petition signed by the very back bone of Sesesion all over the county, Dan and Duff was gone too or three days getting it signed, and all the names John Brenner give him to get sined, there was only one man refused, and that was one Stokely Williams, Albert Watkins, Dr McFarland, Andy Mountcastle, Judge Berton, John Goforth all said they sined it with pleasure, and many more, then there was many men in Knoxville did the same; That is men before Smith and if he does not reply soon I intend to go myself and see him in person. [3 1/4 lines lines struck by censor]

[1/2 line struck by censor] Judge Swan has been a good and efficient friend of our's, and you have plenty of friends in this hour of trouble for they all know your innocence of any charge against you. I understand you are peroled, if [illeg] I think you will get to come home soon. The time is long and I sometimes think I can endure the suspence no longer, but every day brings forth strenght to bear my burden.
     Little Jimmie is the sweetest of children, says a good many thing, calls Papa all through the days, and every time he goes to sleep he is saying papa. even the little one is troubled. I have been down staying at your fathers [i.e., Adam Kennedy Meek (1796-1890)], came up last Sunday to stay this week with Ada as her and Mr Deaderick are going back home to live. Mr D is up at Jonesborough now. Ada

I send you some envelopes and paper

I send you some goose quills in the satchell.