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[Postmark] GRIGGSVILLE, ILL. APR 3
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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
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foretaste of what we had to expect, got through safe however and arrived at Camp "Mauvaisterie" at 4 Oclock [O'clock] making to day 20 miles, 11 Oclock [O'clock] at night now on guard, heigh ho [heigh-ho] I wish it wasnt [wasn't] me on account of those I left behind me. 29th This morning at 7 Oclock [O'clock] the bugle sounded the advance and merrily we rolled on till 11 Oclock [O'clock] A.M when we reached Jacksonville. Astornillea the material with the promptness and celerity of our movements, moved today on "college hill" west of the City, opposite the Deaf dumb asylum, we were much interested with the play of the Deaf mutes male & female they all seemed to be very happy the girls as usual were all talking at once, this institution is a noble charity, honorable to state, and worthy of all commendation. the building is a fine large brick most delightfully situated.
Arrived at Camp "Watson" (so called from my having located it when the rest of the Co. could not agree upon a proper place) til 3 1/2 Oclock [O'clock] pitched tents and went out to shoot squirrels. Wound up with a concert very pleasant evening feet getting very sore. Made 17 miles
30th Started at the usual time, this day has been a very laborious one upon men & mules. it would be impossible for me to describe the difficulties of the way, we had to pull our wagons through some sloughs Caused by back water from the Ills. [Illinois River] to day proved 14 men better than 5 mules. we took our mules out of the wagon and pulled it out of the mud, the country today has been very hilly Today and land poor in places. Arrived at Camp "Naples" at 5, OClock [O'clock], making 17 miles. Prospects for crossing river very bad, and no hay for our mules
31 This morning we rolled our wagons we rolled our wagons on the ferry boat, wind high, causing considerable anxiety about the result boat returned about 4 oclock [o'clock] reported all landed safe. Lay round Camp all day, a seasonable rest for all hands. Shot at a mark across the river struck a tree three times in succession 1/4 miles. Expect to
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__oy our mules to morrow [tomorrow] morning at sun rise. Cool to night. Naples is a poor place. April 1 1849 This morning we cross our mules over the river which is 4 miles wide at this time it took us till noon to get all safe ashore. We are now encamped on shore with the water spread out before us like a miniature ocean, with the sun shining cheerfully down on us. I found today the first flower a variety of the Milk weed a very pretty flower. to morrow [tomorrow] we resume our march refreshed in mind and body, I shall leave the Co. at the Mississippi river, for Saint Louis, and now again farewell dear Wife. Cheer up, do not be cast down our situation will not last long. Almost a whole week has passed already strive to get along smoothly with every body [everybody], endeavor to keep our place in as good order as you can. you can get Jim to nail up a board when one gets knocked of [off] the fence. goodbye dearest, kiss our dear little child for me, and learn him to kiss my pictures every day and to love his pa and I think with him you will find enough to occupy your thoughts Especially if our anticipations should prove as I hope they may. be a kind daughter to my father. give My Love to all
I remain ever your affectionate and confiding husband
Benj. A. Watson [Benjamin A. Watson]
I think Billson is getting stouter every day. My feet has got about well
