J. Gordon Taylor, letter to Em, 11 July 1864, Folder 1, Box 1, Elias Riggs Monfort Letters, Duggan Library, Hanover College, Hanover, Indiana.

On Board Steamer "Jas. White"
Monday July 11th 1864

Dear Em.

As we shall have an opportunity to send letters home from Memphis, I forward to you a piece of your Journal for which if it prove uninteresting you must make due allowance as I have been some time out of practice. We are progressing slowly but so far surely and expect to be in New Orleans by next Saturday.

Tuesday July 5 1864. After a busy day in the hot sun the Major and I were off at eight in the evening. To our great grief our train was minus a sleeping car so doubled up in our seats, sleeping now and then, growling oftener we worried through a not remarkably comfortable night. The Major however makes the most of everything and we came out of the darkness in good spirits. July the 6th dawned with a rainbow spanning the sky, ominous of a storm and when at eight we stopped for breakfast at Olney Ill. it was in the midst of a drenching rain. It was not unwelcome, how=

[p. 2] ever, the cooler air and absence of dust rendering our progress much more pleasant. At Odin we parted company the Major taking the cars for Cairo and I keeping our yet four miles to Sandoval when I was to await the arrival of our horses baggage &c. and see them safely transferred to the cars of the "Illinois Central. A short interview with the R.R. Agent impressed upon me the disagreeable fact that I was to stay here until tomorrow evening. Behold me then seated in the shade of my "hotel" a little two story frame where I am regaled with corse bread and salt pork in true southern style which with the "whar" and "thar" of the natives quite carries back me to Tennessee. From my seat I can count thirty two houses scattered over the prairie which are dignified with the name of Sandoval, while far away North, South, east and west, stretches the interminable unbroken level with such dead monotony as forms a vivid contrast to the Alleghany scenery through which I passed one week ago today, and giving one very much the same feeling as one experiences when over the waste of waters no land appears. Across

[p. 3] this plain comes a pleasant breeze which somewhat modifies the scorching rays of the sun and renders existence possible. Night comes and I go to sleep in a box the last impression on my fleeting senses being made by a mosquitoe. July 7" 1864. Finding my baggage all safely arrived when I awoke this morning, I was enabled to get it transferred in time to take the half past ten train for the "Egyptian Capitol." We changed our cars at Centralia a thriving lively town looking as utterly alone on the great prairie as was Crusoe when he sang "I am monarch of all I survey. It is very dusty with all and has a thirsty air not at all dispelled by the doleful cries of "E're's your ice cool lemonade only five cents a glass." From Centralia to Cairo, was the hottest dustiest most uncomfortable ride it has been my misfortune to take for a long time. But to all things there comes an end and at six o'clock I reached my destination. I stopped at St. Charles where with a limited supply of water and a still shorter allowance of towel

[p. 4] I managed to make myself passably comfortable and to eat the supper with a relish which nothing but the lack of dinner could have given. July 8 1864. Today was the climax of the heated term and we spent it in stowing away our stores where their removal would least delay us upon the arrival of our boat. That done the discovery of a bath house was ample compensation for all our trials. The Cairo water works are unique in their style of architecture being represented by a mule, a man, a cart, and a corpulent barrel from which latter the fluid the fluid emerges through a leathery spout having acquired during its sojourn a stagnant frog pond taste which however agreeable it may be to the natives does not impress the stranger so favorably. The town being lower than the river there arises from the undrained street a perfume which rivalling the ancient Egyptian darkness "may be felt" or as I heard a Colonel express it "you can hear it." I imagine that here might be accomplished the feat of

[p. 5] living without eating the nutritious qualities of the atmosphere being amply sufficient to sustain life. I shall never more regard as a fable the statement that Chameleons live on air." We expect our boat in tomorrow and then a long farewell to this city. Saturday July 9th This has been to us a day of "hope deferred" but we have borne up bravely and our hearts are not sick. No boat came and compelled to spend yet another night here are consoled by the thought that we are not alone in our misery. Sunday July 10th. Our boat the "Jas. White" came in just as we finished breakfast and without delay we were domiciled on board of her. She is a large new boat very comfortable and not crowded. At twelve we bid adieu to Cairo and at two halt at Columbus Ky. It is but a small place lying under a high bluff its forts commanding the river while its rail roads afford easy communication with the South. About half past six we pass island No. 10 on which can still be seen the huts

[p. 6] built during the rebel occupation. There is just enough of day left for a glimpse of New Madrid as we sailed past. Here only yesterday boats coming up were fired into, but we were not favored. We have had a heavy storm this afternoon and the cool breeze and pleasant quarters afford a great contrast to our situation of last night. As evening came on I occupied myself with "David Copperfield which I find very inetresting. And now good night. ~~~~

Writing on a shaky boat is not so pleasant and you must charge the hieroglyphics to my position. I am not in a letter writing humor today and to that charge the uninteresting portions of this Epistle and I'll say good bye. Give my love to Ma, Kate, "Tom" Ned and "Bob" and if you are a right good girl you may have a little wee bit for yourself. Remember me to friends. The Major sends his regards

Yours affectionately Gordon.

[Envelope to Miss Emma A. Taylor, College Hill, Ohio]