Huntsville 18th Sept. 56

Dear Elizabeth,

We have just reached this place, I seat myself on the ground of the public square to drop you a few lines.

We all enjoy fine health and spirits, though we travel quite slow, we can only travel about 25 miles a day and yet have near 300 miles to go which will (?)_______ 12 day more & if we rest on Sunday, which I shall insist on doing it will take 18 days from the time of leaving home till we reach our journeys end, then if we find (?______ land worth) locating, it will require at least 3 weeks more. So you see it will be impossible to get home again under 2 months. We traveled 18 miles yesterday without water for our horses and after leaving this place a few miles, shall have to travel 50 miles without crossing water, but shall have a chance at watering at wells. We saw 2 young men last night that have just returned from near where we are going, they say we can get plenty for ourselves and horses. They saw a company of armed men going on that we suppose to be Mc and company.

Kiss my Dear Eldonia for me. Poor Matty is a good boy when not mad, tell him to be a good boy. I should be much delighted to have little Sophronia in my arms, that I might have a sweet kiss. Tell the other children all to do better than they have done heretofore.

I feel anxious to see you already and you can only tell by experience how I shall feel to be absent 2 months. Brother Joseph and his mule both got on very well. We all are troubled to keep our horses backs from hurting on account of the weather being so hot.

Give my respects to all & believe me ever your affectionate husband.
J. G. Collier

(In possession of Barbara Yancey Dore)