cams_bawatson_b3153_f002_001_02

Camp on the bluffs 4 miles from Naples

April 1st 1849

My Dear Beloved Wife

I take this opportunity of informing
you of our movements, up to this time and giving myself the
pleasure as it were of holding short converse with you, though alas!
widely seperated [separated] by flood and plain. My dear wife I hope ere this reaches
you, you will have become reconciled to our temporary seperation [separation]
seperated [separated] in flesh, but one in heart, oh how I would like to embrace
you this bright Calm Sunday Evening, how is our dear boy, does he
ask for "pa" does he seem to miss me, oh there are times when
my heart smites me for having abandoned the care of that sweet
cherub thoug [though] it be but for a time. be to him, dearest, all that he
should find in me learn him to love right for right's sake
but I must commence telling you of our travels,

Here by refering [referring] to my notes I shall be enabled to give you a
pretty correct account of all we have done up to this time.

Thursday March 27, 1849 Left Springfield at 2 Oclock [O'clock] P.M. my heart filled
with the most intense grief (o how it wrung my heart to part with
you an [and] father,) head ached very bad, my cold caused me to suffer much.
rode out with Thos. Little [Thomas Little] to Camp "Taylor" pitch tents, got
supper, had a call from some Ladies of the Neighborhood, had music
from the band, and retired, but all hands seemed to wish to do any thing [anything]
else but sleep. Camp life is a new to most of the boys, made to day [today] 4 miles

28th got off at 7 1/2 Oclock [O'clock], road fine and mules working well. Worked
today at a saw mill, pretty tired, feet getting very sore. Weather continues
very fine, found today two bad mudholes [mud holes] which gave us some