[1] October the 31st 1864
Dear Wife Opelika Alabama
I again have an opportunity of Sending this to Granada
by hand this is the fourth letter that I have written to you in this month i wrote one about the
last of September or 1st of oct one the 12th of Oct and one the 23rd and this the 31st which I send
a negro belonging to one of the company who leaves for granada tomorrow the 1st of november
this leaves me well and I hope it may find you and children likewise we are still at the
Opelika ala I have been expecting to hear from you for some time but have not received
the two letters before alluded to one dates the 4th of august and the 3rd September both recd
at one time I also received in one of yours aslip from Henry I have not heard from him [cut off]
I have not heard from Bro James since I left Hoods army I do not know when I shall be at [cut off]
Several of ther company has applied for furlows and has been disapproved we are doing verry [cut off]
now we have but little duty to do but I do not know how long it will last the boys think [cut off]
will stay here this winter but I can not tell none of them knows but you may direct your [cut off]
to me at this place merrins Battery Opelika alabama if can send it to panola Po i will
not know where to direct a letter to him i want you to wright to me every chance you [cut off]
I have no news to wright you at presant i am nearly out of Shoes and hat but I k[cut off]
you have noe chance to sind me any i will do the best I can and you do the same [cut off]
[page 2]
Give my respects to all inquiring friends
and particular to Mrs Beal and family
She was kind enough to remember me in
one of yours, I wrote one letter to mr Burton
one to Dr Staton and one to Caleb but
have never Received aline from either
of them poor consolation to me to wright
no more at presant but remains your
husband untill death H. H. Collins

I must wright some to Benton and Harvey
Benton and Harvey
my boys how are you coming on i have often thought [cut off]
you since I left you are you going to school yet i want [cut off]
to learn how to wright me a letter Benton if you dont [cut off]
Harvey will beat you learining i want you to obey [cut off]
mother strictly and be a dutiful boy i dont know [cut off]
I shall see you a gain (god only knows whether I ev[cut off]
shall a gain or not) but i hope soon to have the pl[cut off]
to shake your little hands and talk with you a [cut off]
be good and kind to your mother and your Lo[cut off]
will love you a due my boys for the presant—