I want a letter from home & so much from Walt I tried to write to him but get confused about directing I am not strong & it will quiet my mind to write my mind is perfectly clear but night & day I long for a letter Charlie showed me one yester day from Walt to him written the 5th just a little to me a short letter from when you first knew I was sick I think Walt & you all have written because Charlie says hes sent word home every day & ask all the time. I am well now dear mother To what I have been I never suffered so much [2]X
In October and November of 1868, Hannah suffered from a painful infection on her left thumb which Mother Whitman describes in a letter to Walt Whitman (dated November 11-14, 1868, Walt Whitman Archive) as "erysiplas" — erysipelas, a bacterial infection similar to cellulitis. agony in so short a time I believe about 2 weeks. I dont much now. When I was first taken I View PageFull size in new windowI wanted Walt to come I though I should not get well if he did not now I am well taken care of by Ellen [3]X
Ellen may be the name of the person Heyde hired to assist while Hannah was ill. Heyde refers to the new help in his letter to Mother Whitman dated November 24, 1868 (Trent). it seems she has save my life she has saved me much suffering & I want Walt to write & thank [4]X
Walt sent a letter to Dr. Thayer, dated December 8, 1868 (Walt Whitman Archive), thanking him for his kindness and asking him to send Walt a few lines regarding the condition of his sister. He also asked Dr. Thayer to keep the matter confidential, as Hannah had requested. Dr Thayer, [5]X
Dr. Samuel White Thayer Jr. (1817-1882) graduated from Vermont Medical College in 1838 and moved to Burlington in 1852. Although his practice was general medicine, his specialty was surgery, and he performed numerous amputations. Professor of anatomy and physiology at the University of Vermont from 1854 to 1871, he served as surgeon general of Vermont during the Civil War. See H. Royce Bass, The History of Braintree, Vermont (Rutland, VT: Tuttle, 1883), 58. I cant now explain but I think he was kind to tend to me at all and dear Mother if you value my life be sure to not let Charlie know I have written I will explain, be to him just as usual

Dear Mother I am so sorry Matty is some sick [6]X
Martha Emma Mitchell Whitman (1836-1873) married Thomas Jefferson Whitman on February 23, 1859. Affectionately known as Mattie, not much is known about her background prior to her marriage. Jeff and Mattie moved in with Mother Whitman shortly after their marriage. In 1867 Jeff accepted a position as chief engineer and superintendent of waterworks in St. Louis, Missouri. Hannah refers to Mattie getting better, but Mattie began to suffer from chronic illnesses beginning in early 1863. At the time of this letter Mattie was visiting New York, seeking counsel from doctors about her health. See Mattie: The Letters of Martha Mitchell Whitman, ed. Randall H. Waldron (New York: New York University Press, 1977), 2, and Walt Whitman's letter to Jeff Whitman, October 25, 1868 (Walt Whitman Archive). next summer she must come live with me & let Dr Thayer cure her. I send my love to George — I shall be well soon Home & a letter from Walt runs on my mind all the time

Dear mother dont be the least anxious about me there is no cause long as I have Ellen to take care of me I am comfortable take care of yourself my dear Mother — I was so glad for you Mattys home she must give Jeffy my love