cams_bawatson_b3153_f009_001_04

done. We encamped at 11 1/2 oclock [o'clock] today upon fine grass where
shall remain untill [until] Monday, as we could not reach a camping place
short of sixteen miles from this on Tuesday night we expect to
camp on the big Platt [Platte] River. Our camp is surrounded by a perfect
bed of a variety of the sweet Pea which is now in full bloom filling
the air with its fragrance they are more beautiful than any of their Kind
I ever saw, probably because they remind me of "Home". I have also
observed a variety of Pink bearing a yellow flower, also a flower very
nearly resembling the China aster in appearence [appearance] & fragrance the Briss
pear is becoming very common in sandy localities we have had
one or two mizrs of wild onions, and are to have a dish of Turtle
soup Tomorrow as Billson had the good fortune to catch a
very fine turtle night before last. We shall season our soup with
wild garlic of which there is a good supply at hand. We learned
from a young man who came up since we encamped that Capt.
Roberts was a few miles behind us and he will doubtless come up
tomorrow as we shall lay by. There are a great many persons going out
by this route that is from the various points on the Mo [Missouri] River.

I think they will amount to 20,000 we are ahead of the mass
and I think shall be able to keep so. There was a man killed by
one of his Comrades a mile below us last night, either accidently or on
purpose I believe that latter, making in all six deaths that have
taken place on this road that we know of. I tell you this that
you may not be frightened by the stories you may hear & that we
heard before we started from St Joe [St. Joseph] and which we have found
to be false. Our whole camp are entirely well & have been so, but
I find I am coming to the bottom of my page and as it is getting too
late to write another, every one [everyone] in camp Except myself, the guard
and others similarly occupied, are snoring an accompaniment to the
wind which is blowing tremendously making the canvas of our
tents flap & pop as though it would split. I think we shall have some
more rain before long but a line to my sweet one you must not
blot your letters up so with your tears save them to shed for joy over my
safe return recompensed for the sacrifice which I am making for
the good of my family. My dear I wish I could write some word
that would express the extent of my love for you but I cannot &
must leave you to set your own estimate upon it.

Your affectionate
Husband

B A Watson