Monday, May 8.
I left camp very early, and walked on alone, that I may write to
Brother Mac before the wagons overtake me. I am seated in a comfortable
fence corner, and here goes for my letter:
LUCAS COUNTY, IOWA, May 8, 1865.
DEAR BROTHER: We were delayed several days after the time set for
starting, when we wrote you to meet us at Council Bluffs by the
10th. We thought I would better write, that you may know we are on
the way, and hope to meet you by the 15th or the 16th. You must
possess your soul with patience, if you get there before we do, and
have to wait. I could write a long letter, I have so much to tell
you, but will wait until we meet. Mother seems in better health and
spirits than she has since you went into the army. We are enjoying
the trip very much, and I find myself feeling sorry for the people
that have to stay at home, and cannot travel and camp out. Good-bye
until next week. With sincerest love,
Your sister,
SARAH.
The wagons are coming in sight, just as my letter is finished and
addressed, and ready to mail at the next post-office. My pony is in
harness to-day, as one of the work horses is a little lame, so I will
have to ride in the wagon or walk. As the morning is so fine I will
walk until I begin to tire.
Evening.
Cash joined me in my walk, and we walked until noon. How wisely planned
are these physical bodies of ours, how easily inured to the burdens
they must bear. Before we started on this trip, such a walk as we took
this morning would have completely prostrated us; now, we did not feel
any inconvenience from the unusual exercise.
Frank invited us, Cash and I, to ride in his wagon this afternoon. We
accepted the invitation, and made an emigrant visit. He had arranged
his wagon for our convenience and comfort, and we spent a very pleasant
afternoon. Frank mailed my letter at Charaton, and on his way back
bought candy and nuts for a treat for his visitors, which we, of
course, enjoyed exceedingly.
I should not care to ride in an ox-wagon all the way across the
plains, but for half a day, once in a while, it is a pleasant change,
especially when so delightfully entertained. The afternoon passed
quickly. We are camping near a large party of emigrants, some of the
men came to our camp. They look tough; they are from Pike County,
Missouri, on their way to Oregon.
* * * * *
Tuesday, May 9.
A beautiful day for horseback riding, until late this afternoon, when
it commenced blowing a perfect gale, too severe to travel, so we drove
into camp early. We came through Ottawa and Osceola, are camping in
Clark County.
* * * * *
Wednesday, May 10.
A very cold day for this time of year, too cold to think of riding
horseback, so we all took passage in the wagons. As we have plenty to
read, and lots of visiting to do, it is no hardship to ride in the
wagon for a day.
The boys have made a splendid camp-fire, and we are getting thawed out,
cheered, and ready for a jolly evening. There was just one stunted oak
left standing, away out here in this great expanse of prairie--for
our especial benefit, it seems. The boys cut it down, and taking the
trunk for a back-log, the top and branches to build the fire, we
have a glorious camp-fire away out here in Union County, Iowa. It is
surprising to find Iowa so sparsely settled, we travel sometimes half a
day and do not see a home. There are always a few farms near the towns.
The settlements are the only breaks in the monotonous landscape.
Oh, the tedious, tiresome monotony of these vast extended prairies: To
look out and away, over these seemingly endless levels, as far as the
eye can reach, and see only grass, grass everywhere, with beautiful
prairie flowers, of course, but the flowers cannot be seen in the
distance. No earthly consideration would induce me to make a home on
any of these immense prairie levels. How my eyes long for a sight of
beautiful trees, and running streams of water; how delightful to stroll
in the woods once more.
* * * * *
Thursday, May 11.
The wish expressed last evening is realized in a manner. We are camping
in a strip of timber along the banks of a creek--or branch, rather.
But then it is such a slow-going stream, not at all limpid, clear, or
sparkling as a brook ought to be. It can hardly be called a running
stream, for it goes too slowly. I think creeping or crawling would be
more appropriate. We came through Afton to-day.