January 30, 1865

I have promised to keep my journal, at the urging of my parents, since I have been away from them all these months. But now that I have left the mainland and am at sea, I want to keep an accurate account of my time here and send them on to my dear parents. It has been a trying time these few weeks aboard this ship, all of us strangers in a way, but we are finding it necessary to be one in spirit and might. There was talk-a serious confrontation even-of returning to New Bedford when we discovered this is a mule boat and our sleeping quarters were stalls. I have not seen such a thing before, my family is not wealthy but we have always been comfortable. Somehow, I can live with this until we get to this Seattle place. I saw plenty worse in the hospitals in Richmond when my mother and I cared for the soldiers. My lonliness for both my family and my own true love to be is what has brought me here. My two brothers are somewhere in Pennsylvania, fighting in the war, and I pray they come home. I have so many thoughts. The women on board here with me are beginning to befriend one another, and I appreciate and am grateful for their friendships. I have not been too seasick, many have been ill, or even homesick. But I have a strong constitution and an even stronger will. My faith will sustain me in this choice to leave everything and everyone I have known and loved behind. I felt compelled to go. Mr. Jason Bolt talks to us on regular basis and I feel he is truly concerned for our welfare. I like to walk about the ship, I like my quiet moments when I am writing, reading my Bible or sewing, and want to get to know people with whom I am sharing this journey. I pray everynight and day that God will bless us, that I can find my home in this new place, and my concern for the moment....where can a young lady hang her undergarments after washing?? My heart is full.