Fragments: Mrs. Reuben Chandler writes to her husband during a cholera epidemic

note: Most of this journal, written on shipboard, seems to have been destroyed, probably by fire. What remains suggests that Mrs. Chandler journeyed to New Orleans without her husband's permission, thus becoming indirectly the cause of her baby's death. August, 1849                      EN ROUTE FROM NEW YORK TO NEW ORLEANS ABOARD THE 'GENERAL WAYNE' Two weeks aboard the 'General Wayne' is little more than a floating hospital vomiting spells. I attribute them to is truly ill. For two days he has in his bunk. Belle seems to recover. At least fretful which indicates improvement. struck by a nervous disorder. I sleep very little and take no solid food. (page torn) (Second page) Yesterday evening poor little Cookie died. She was seized suddenly with spasms, poor thing, and died in an hour. You will accuse me of but it was truly frightful. I have not slept for weeping. only a dog! (page torn) (Third page) arrived safely in New Orleans but embark. We are all in quarantine might be better, but Belle is all day by her bedside. Doctor plague and gives me no hope pray for survival. (page torn) (Fourth page) have not been able to put pen to all over. Our dear little girl among the blessed, my beautiful authorities let no one near. darkies. I am full of one who was without fault and so, lies shrouded in my sister's blame God and myself, dear why you have left me without support? (page torn)