In November I started to return to my post at Charleston by way of New Orleans; took the stage to Chillicothe, Ohio, November 16th, having Henry Stanberry, Esq., and wife, as travelling companions, We continued by stage.
next day to Portsmouth, Ohio.
At Portsmouth Mr.Stanberry took a boat up the river, and I one down to Cincinnati.

There I found my brothers Lampson and Hoyt employed in the "Gazette" printing-office, and spent much time with them and Charles Anderson, Esq., visiting his brother Larz, Mr.
Longworth, some of his artist friends, and especially Miss Sallie Carneal, then quite a belle, and noted for her fine voice, On the 20th I took passage on the steamboat Manhattan for St.
Louis; reached Louisville, where Dr.Conrad, of the army, joined me, and in the Manhattan we continued on to St.Louis, with a mixed crowd.

We reached the Mississippi at Cairo the 23d, and St.Louis, Friday, November 24, 1843.

At St.Louis we called on Colonel S.W.
Kearney and Major Cooper, his adjutant-general, and found my classmate, Lieutenant McNutt, of the ordnance, stationed at the arsenal; also Mr.Deas, an artist, and Pacificus Ord, who was studying law.

I spent a week at St.Louis, visiting the arsenal, Jefferson Barracks, and most places of interest, and then became impressed with its great future.