March 12, 1865 pg 2

land, one of these days -- not
far distant, -- I trust. The
hope and longing for that time
to come sustain and cheer
me in my great grief at being
obliged to put so many miles
between you and me.

I am very fortunate
in being largely acquainted
among Californians and there
is a large party of my
intimate friends going on
the steamer of tomorrow.
This is very lucky, for a
lonely voyage, among stran-
gers would be almost
unbearable under the cir-
cumstances.

Ordinarily, the steamers
of this side connect with
very elegant vessels in the
Pacific -- but -- as is my
usual ill fortune, something