[At the time of the 1860 Census, Speir was living in Campbell County, Georgia. His age was listed as twenty and his occupation as “M D.” He was also married to a seventeen-year-old woman named Elizabeth.]

Pike .Co. Ga. May the 3ed 1864
Dier Sister I take this method of communicating
to you a few lines which will informe you
that I am well & very well Satesfied. I have no
nues to give you, I recieved your letter yestorday &
was very glad to hear from you all though was Sorry
to hear that you all had So much Sickness. I had
begin to get ver oneasey about you before
I heard from you I have not had a letter from
William Sence he went to Savanah, he dont think
prudent for me to know anything a bout him
though as he is so obstnat I dont know that I nead to
cear. I dont know whear he is nor whether he is ded or
a live. I will not come to Fayette untill the forth Sund
ay or Friday be for the forth Sunday in May I hope
that you will have the chance of preparing my cloathes
in that time. I want you to write to me as soon as
you get this for I am very anxious to hear from you
all. I want to know how Pah is a getting a long with his
crop & whether he got my corn or not from Fa.
I was very much soprised to learn that that Mary Jane
had not bin reciveng any letters from me for I have
wrote to her & have bin anxiously wating an anser
from her give my love to Pah & the family & to
Mis Harpers family & Espeshaley Miss Eliza
give my love to Sister Amanda & tell her to
kiss little Johney for me my respect to Miss
Adda Ruston write soon your Brother
with much love James H Speir
[page 2]
PS
I will send a letter to Mary in yours &
you will please see that She gets it kiss
Lealey for me when you read this you will
pleas burn it I have twenty tooo students
in my school & I think that I will have more