Mrs. Lyon’s Diary.
May 27.—Mr. Stanton came to our quarters before daylight and said that the boat had come and would wait an hour. I got ready and we walked over to the landing and took the boat Sunny Side. We have parted with our husbands—perhaps to meet no more on earth. It was a sad parting, but we will hope for the best. God is good, and in His infinite mercy He doeth all things right.
Arrived at Smithland about two o’clock. Mrs. Chapman left us here. We were sorry to part with her. We realized here that we had forgotten Rachel and had to go back to camp after her. She had found out that the boat had arrived and was all ready. [Rachel was a colored woman that I had promised to take to Chicago with me.] We changed boats at Smithland. Some of the party took a Government boat in the night, but we preferred to wait for the packet. We were late and the boat left us.
