Gold Rush Era Letters

another smart place, we have passed through the cities of Philadelphia and St Louis places that you have read of. We reached our camp at five o clock [o'clock] in a beautifull [beautiful] vally [valley] surrounded by hills from which gushed some of the most beautifull [beautiful] spring which I have seen since I left my Native Tennessee having made today twenty eight miles.

Tuesday 3 -- left camp this moring [morning] in the rain. Our India rubber keeping us dry. Marched today through a fine Country under the bluffs passed through "Kinderhook" made a push to pass some ox teams ahead of us which we did and arrived at camp on the snicarty [Snicarte] slough a shute [chute] of the Mississippi River. the rain pouring down incessantly all day prospects for the night very discourageing [discouraging] wood scarce & wet, had some music, which raised the spirits of the boys lay down at nine ocloc [o'clock] and passed the best night since I left your sweet arms, made today sixteen miles.

Wednesday 4 -- Crossed the river in a steam ferry boat and landed at "Sapio" 1 1/2 miles Above the Hannibal having ferried ten miles. Reached Hannibal at 10 oclock [o'clock] a boat had just arrived for St Louis, which I went aboard of and left in fifteen minutes. Company all well, arrived at St Louis at 10 at night. The wind blew so cold I could not enjoy the scenery very much shall stay on board the boat tonight.

Thursday 5 -- Took lodgings at the Missouri Hotel, such a crowd there was no chance to get a room, met Naves in the Telegraph office, met N. G. Shepherd in the street and concluded to take up lodgings with him at the Main street house, Met T. B. Fisher, Bill Pease, & T. T. Whitehurst, got the blues again