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You see my hand still is very unsteady -

My address is -

xxxxx

care of

Mr Audley Couper

Darien, Georgia

Hopeton, Ga, Jan. 17. 1862

My dear Mr Bright

I trust that, neither you, nor my kind friend Mrs Bright, nor any of your family, attribute my protracted silence to neglect or forgetfulness of you or the debt of gratitude which I owe to you, my benefactors. The fact is I have been sick again - not of my old enemy the Typhoid, but of some of his souvenirs. I travelled home night and day, the fatigue of which, attended by a cold which deprived me of my voice, almost prostrated me; and before I recovered here came a sort of inflamation of my intestines, of which I am happy to say that I am about well; so I hope, as the rheumatism fled at the approach of my native climate, that I am on the eve of getting well all over at the same time, a feeling I have not enjoyed for nearly three months. So much of myself I have written to excuse my not writing before, and because I flatter myself that you take some interest in one who owes you so much. I am delightfully situated, this deprived of my own home, with my married Sister (Mrs Couper) and her family, and Florence & Virginia are with us also - my brothers come to see me whenever they can get leave from the Island. In fine, the only thing I know of present trouble is that poor Georgia is almost distracted at Mannassas because Col. Smith is quite ill of pneumonia. From her account the Drs seem to have a more hopeful opinion of the Col's recovery than she has herself. Our brother Floyd is at hand and friends have been kind to them - may God spare my Sister's husband! They are in the Quarter Master's house and are as comfortably situated as the case admits of, but Georgia feels so terribly helpless and lonely having no older lady with her.

Of course I have no news to give you for you get it all before I do. We have prepared defences along the coast and have troops stationed in reserve to succor any point threatened or attacked. Now let me beg you to write to me just as soon as you can and tell me how you all are, for I feel as tho' I had been ever so long absent from you. I cannot now say when I will be well enough to return to duty - some time in February perhaps - certainly not before I feel my legs strong enough to ride a spirited horse. When you write tell me some army news, for the Peninsula is so seldom mentioned in the Savannah papers that I am really in the dark as to what is going on there. Tell me what Robert is doing and any pleasant gossip of the town, and also whether the way has been opened for you to the main street, and also again whether Mrs Bright received my note from Richmond and you two gallons of whiskey which I sent to the care of Shirley Harrison at James Town Island.

I feel that it is not in your nature, my kind friend, to expect a profusion of professions of thanks for kindnesses rendered, and I confess that, tho' my heart is full, my tongue and pen are feeble to express the gratitude I feel to dear Mrs Bright, and all of you for my restoration, under Providence, to health & my family, but I trust you appreciate my thankfulness. All the family join me in love and regards to you, Mrs Bright, Miss [Caloc?], Jean (my love) & Robert. Your since friend

H. Lord P. King

Please let me know Mrs Bright's initials - Florence wrote to her and [illegible] directed to Mrs B. Wm Esq.