The
Fassett Letters - Letter #90
One sheet of blue lined paper
folded to make four 7¾ x 9¾” pages
Date:
March 5, 1862
Place: Aboard the Steamer
“Panama” in the Gulf of California
From: NC
Fassett
To: Mrs. CH Fassett
Str
“Panama” March 5th 1862
In Gulf of
California
Mrs C.H. Fassett
Granville Ohio
Dear Mother I am now on my way home from Lower California and now (4
P.M. Wednesday) we are in sight of Mazatlan where we will remain a day
or two then we sail for San Francisco where we will arrive probably
15th or 16th march. and I will not be sorry having been gone
since Jany 1st/62 a day or two ago received the first letters since I
have been away giving details of our losses at Pacheco which seem to be
considerable I had heard from a ship Captain of our loss but he knew no
particulars, having read of it in the papers. even now I can hardly
imagine so much devastation & waste as the papers represent.,
and to read my own account of the height of the water at Pacheco seems
incredible. I do not fret a moment at our loss because it was some
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page 2
no foresight could prevent. so you must not
mourn but think all is for the best. I have a rough but delightfull
trip. when on land I have ridden on mule back 50 to 60 miles a day,
over a country you folks at home would not think an animal could go ten
miles a day Water is very scarce there so we carry a leather bottle of
water some hard bread and Panoche (a kind of sugar) and a pair of
Blankets. then we are prepared to camp when we please. I recommend this
life to those who cannot sleep in a good bed. The sun is very hot and
if you would see me now and hear me talk Spanish you would be sure I
was a regular Greaser (Mexican) I have a very uncomfortable place to
write (on my knee) and I soon go on shore so you must not expect much
of a letter. but when I get home will give you a better account of my
trip. you can tell by
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my
marks when the “Ship” Rolls. My letter from Hale
says Ann has a little son which I presume you will have heard of before
now but I mention it in case the overland mail should fail as it may on
account of storms I am anxious to hear from you my last news I received
was a Letter from John just as I was going on board of the Steamer Jany
1st starting on this trip. have had no opportunity to answer but will
as soon as I get home I hope you are all well and getting along nicely
I am perfectly delighted with the climate of Lower California &
Mexico. Italy has lost the palm if all her praise has been sung. and
this is the richest agricultural & mineral country in the
world. dinner is ready and then ashore. write often Love to all. I am
well much better than before in two years
Yours truly Chittenden
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