We landed at New York May 27, 1862. Stayed in New York a couple of days. Went by rail to the Missouri River and there boarded a steam ship and sailed up the Missouri R. to Florence, Nebraska where we arrived June 22nd. Made camp on the outskirt of a forest. America is rich in forests and good land. We received provisions in abundance cooked and fried them out in the open on our journey across the plains. Traveled with ox teams. Those that were able had to walk.