19th Century Steinbeck Family Papers

Meanwhile John being south with the Confederate army and when they were fleeing from before the national army he was taken sick, and falling on the road was left captured by the Yankees made prisoner. Then with others was paroled and allowed to go free.

Without money (except a little Confederate scrip) he started for Massachusetts to travel on foot. And by doing odd jobs and a little friendly aid he reached the home of Mrs. Dickson, his mother in law at Harvard, Mass and to his surprise found his own family and Fredrick’s widow. Father Dickson died Jan 1860.

not stop long enough for us to gratify our curiosity but swam away in his native element. As there is nothing of interest today I will tell you about our ships company. There are nineteen persons aboard, representing nine countries. The passengers are Mr Jones, our family father, mother, Mary Henry Caroline and myself. Mrs Blanchard the Captain's wife who always accompanies him on his voyages, this is the nineteenth time she has crossed the Atlantic ocean. Mr Trask the first mate is an American. Second mate a German, Cook English, Steward Swede. Sailors one an Italian one French one Irish and one a Spaniard and one Norwegian, our captain is a genial gentleman we are becoming attached to him and his excellent wife. They are always ready to give us information about places we pass and also others where they have visited. If there is anything amusing to be seen, the captains voice is to be heard calling, “Come on deck.” When not engaged he is always ready to walk to deck with us, and tell stories of his sea life. He plays the flute, and many an hour is

built to please himself and wife as they spend most of their time aboard the ship. She is only three years old and a fine sailing vessel. Mother is seasick most of the time all others are well.

Nov 9. Cloudy with head wind. Our progress is slow. We have visitors in little land birds who fly on board they seem tame or fearless and hop close beside us. The cat caught one this morning.

November 10. Still head wind the weather is fine. The thermometer standing 73º. Caroline wants me to write that a little bird died in her hand today which she says is like Susan wrote in her journal one died in her lap. The steward of whom I wrote Monday is making a deal of trouble. He pretends he was seriously hurt by the mate when he forced him aft. He keeps his berth at times uttering terrible groans. Then seeming unconcious refuses food, but it is apparent that he is feigning. It is very unpleasant for Captain Blanchard who says he always tried to govern his

Nov 12 Saturday. Henry is quite sick today. This afternoon in “tacking ship” we came near Sardinia again and in view of a different part of the island more pleasing here we could see hills covered with trees, and a number of towers were to be seen. “The island is 144 miles long and 68 miles wide, has 3500 inhabitants. The palm pomegranate orange and lemon also the chesnut and cork tree grow here. Cagliase the capital has a large propotion of inhabitants has fine buildings and churches. The Viceroy resides here”

Nov 12 Saturday. Today is cold and raw a strong east wind which causes the ship to pitch and rock with a most uncomfortable motion. You would smile perhaps if you could look at the long faces on board. Mother, Mrs Blanchard, Mary and Henry are sick in their berths. Captain is sick Caroline is not well, has a cough, and little appetite. The steward keeps his berth so the cook has double duty to perform. Mrs Blanchard and Mary have been making up the berths this morning they being sick I sweep our state room

then came very near for a few minutes all were in suspence "Will she strike?"" Captain said if her master knew his place he would fall astern. Her sailors stood leaning their bare arms over the bulwarks gazing at us. Our captain sang out “Hello.” The other responded “Hio.” Captain Blanchard called “Where from and where bound” the answer came From Cadis bound for Triest. After taking our name and destination she fell astern and left us.

Nov 15. An uncomfortable night and morning a strong south east wind and a rough sea, the vessel rolling and pitching. All the folks seasick. Mother and Mary are the greatest sufferers. Captain Blanchard intended making his course South of Sicily, but has had so much head wind has become tired of beating about and is going north through the Straits of Messina, along the sunny shores of Italy. It will be much warmer.

Nov 16 Had a fine sail last night, and this morning have snow capped Etna Paniou, and other islets in view also Stromboli with its burning volcano. We arose early