.MTIzMQ.OTcyNjE

1849 March 21st Wednesday Left home and its dear ones Monday March 19th 1849. The parting scene can be imagined, not described, & as I turned to take a last fond look, at my own dear home, and all that earth held dear, tears unbidden dimmed my eyes. Mans stern nature melted into childhood, & we journeyed on in sadness & in silence, took dinner at Dr. Whites & reached Ithica in the evening. Spent one day in Ithica (20th) making preparations for our journey across the Prairies we were all armed with rifles = revolvers = & large knives Our dress was of sheeps grey cloth, ¶ hide brimmed hats protected us from rain & sun. at first I did not think of joining the Company formed in Ithica, but, from the representations of the secretary (which afterwards proved false) I was induced to join in the evening a supper was given to us by the citizens, & Wednesday March 21st escorted by a band of music & hundreds of the citizens of Ithica, the Ithica & Auburn Compound? marched in procession to the cars?. When all were slated? we were addressed by Mr. Cushing in a very appropriate & touching manner/ and during the adress many a sun burnt cheek was wet with tears. Dr. White replied to Mr. Cushing then came the parting scene, and as the car moved on, the cheering of the multitude drowned