Robert Hall Griffin

Robert Griffin 

For all the genealogist like me, I have a journal and some letters from my great-great-great grandfather Robert Hall Griffin. It doesn't really fit it the trip log theme, but it kind of does because he wrote the journal while serving during the Civil War and the letters are written to various people while he was serving. He was born May 24, 1833 in Georgetown, Ohio to William Griffin and Anna McLean. He married Louisa Hooper in Pittsfield, Illinois December 1, 1858 they had ten children. He served with 99th Regiment, Illinois Infantry in Matagorda Island, Texas. He later became a doctor. He died April 18, 1891 in New Salem Illinois.

Letter from Robert Hall Griffin to sons, Charles and Wesley.

Houston, Mo. Dec 20 1862

My Dear little Charley and Wesy:

Pa got your little letter and was glad to hear from you pa is proud of his little son because he can write and beat the drum. You will soon be a little man. Do you mind when Pa used to come home from the school how you used to run to meet him and say papa? Tell me son whose man are you, and who you love? Who made your little wagon? Have you got it yet? Do you know who sent you a drum? It was pa did it. He bought it in St. Louis and gave one dollar for it, and run down to the boat with all his might to send it to you for fear the boat would go on before I got there.

Well son you must mind what Ma says to you and be a good boy till pa comes home. Then we will get in a buggy and go to see Grand Pa and Grand Ma down to Time. You must be good to your little brother for he is a sweet little boy isn’t he? Pa will be home some day, then you can hug and kiss him as much as you please, for you are pa’s own boy and he loves you very dearly and he thinks of you very often, and Wesey too.  I can not write any more now son. You must write to me again. Run and Kiss Ma and Wesey for me and tell Wesey goodby. You must love Grandma and Aunt Mag and Mack too. Don’t forget your Pa. Good night Charley and Wesey.

Pa.

The Diary of Robert Hall Griffin – Year 1864

Sunday January 3. Amendment to Constitution affirmed – by yeas 119 by naya 56

No Entry until March 13th

Sunday March 13. Evacuation of Indianola. Troops marched with wagon C&G Equipago taken by Transport B. Arrived at the Big Bayou at Noon, pontoon ferry sunk. About the same time the Ferry at Saluria Bayou Sunk drowning 25 or 30 soldiers and one Lieut most of whom were of the 89th Ind. Camped near Big Bayou, Rained during the night.

Robert Griffin

Monday, March 14. Crossed Big Bayou 11 O’clock. Very high wind Crossed Saluria Bayou late in evening. Camped two miles below fort Esperanza. Cold and Windy.

Tuesday, March 15. Marched about 12 miles down the island and camped at an old ranch. Received a letter from A.W. Bemiss and one from E Faris

Wednesday, March 16 . This Morning Clayton Hooper came over and told me that his letters contained the sad news of the sickness of my dear little boys. Went up to the fort and heard the same news from several of Co. E boys. Am sick to hear from home. The host moved back two miles nearer the fort and went into camp.

Thursday, March 17 . No mail yet and am so anxious to hear from home. My sleep was troubled last night. Oh God, if it be thy will spare my children. I am so uneasy that I have no peace of mind. God forgive me if I have loved my family more than thee.

Friday, March 18 . Cold and windy. I had no news from home yet. I have a kind of presentment that my dear little Charlie is dead. God protect his Ma and Wesey.

Saturday, March 19. It is a more pleasant today. The sun shines brightly but it brings not joy to my heart. I feel as though I cannot wait to hear from home, time hangs heavily over me.

Sunday, March 20. Sweet day of sacred rest; but not to me--no resting to go to. No wife or children to spend the day with – lonely, lonely – lonely!

Monday, March 21 . A Steamer from New Orleans has arrived and we expect a mail. We will not get it until tomorrow. How anxious I will wait.

Tuesday, March 22 . It has come at last – a letter from Lou. Charlie is dead. I was not surprised but oh, how it rends the heart to give him up. He was the pride of my life – but he is gone. It is only for Louisa and Weseys sake that I now live. I wrote Lou today.

Wednesday, March 23. My mind is a little easier this morning. The reality is little worse than suspense. I will try to be resigned if it will be the means of bringing me back to the old landmarks. God shall have the praise. Con. McClernand visited our camp.

Thursday, March 24. We had a storm last night—some rain. The wind blew some of the tents down—Pleasant today. Wrote a letter to brother John.

Friday, March 25. Weather clear and pleasant but my heart is heavy and sad. It is not pleasant to me. I have been wandering along the seashore watching the waves dash against it. It is a sandy beach and I have been gathering shells.

Saturday, March 26. Weather pleasant—the mail brought me a letter from Allie Sevior. I answered it immediately. Received 4 months pay, $84.00

Sunday, March 27. Everything is quiet in camp. There is no meeting to go to. I wish there was.

Monday, March 28. Nothing to disturb the monotony of camp, I get very lonesome sometimes, and long for the society of family and friends. Expressed $49.00 to Lou. Captain Hodgan started to New Orleans with it. There was 786 dollars in the package for Co. K.

Tuesday, March 29. This is my birthday. I am 31 years old. In reviewing my past life I can see many places wherein I could mend it if I had to live over again but men sees his errors too late. I can only make good resolves for the future and live up to them. I will try to be better at 32 than now if God spares me so long. Wrote to Lou.

Wednesday, March 30. Went to For Esperanza with Col. Bailey for ordnance. General McClernand went to Brownsville on Clinton.

Thursday, March 31. Clear and pleasant. Wrote a letter to A.W. Bemiss (See below for letter)

Friday, April 1. Weather fine- wrote a letter to my wife. Have had a pain in my hand for several days. Study almost constantly about the loss of my boy. I can hardly entertain the thought that he is dead.

Saturday, April 2. Weather clear and pleasant. Wrote to J.K. Sitton. Wrote to A.W. Bemiss F.Kosoncrans came to the Regt.

Sunday, April 3. Weather clear and warm. Wrote to Lou had some words with the H. Paid me $3.35 for comfort. Sorry it occurred.

Monday, April 4. Weather fine. My mind feels oppressed. It is very hard for me to be cheerful altho I try. When I’m driven to the thought, I shall, never see Charley any more it nearly breaks my heart

Tuesday, April 5. Weather fine.

Wednesday, April 6. Weather fine. Wrote to Lou.

Thursday, April 7. Foggy all day. Capt. Cooper went to Headquarters so as to be ready to start home. Went with him.

Friday, April 8. Foggy in the morning-Cleared off about 9 o'clock—Cool and windy. Wrote to Jas. E. Irwin.

Saturday, April 9. Cool and clear—Went to the brigade found Capt. Cooper Still there. Had two pictures taken and sent them to Lou by him. He thought he would start home in the evening on the Cresent. I also sent Charleys and Wesleys pictures with him.

Sunday, April 10. Weather cool and Clear. Wrote a letter to Lou tonight.

Monday, April 11. Pleasant, weather. The mail brought two letters-one from Lou the other from Catherine Griffin telling me of the death of my Charley. I had heard the news before. My heart is still almost broken.

Tuesday, April 12. Weather Clear and windy. Wrote a letter to Lou to tonight. Last night I dreamed of home and meeting wife and friends. I hope soon to be realizing the pleasing dream.

Wednesday, April 13.  Cloudy and some rain. Thunder in the evening. Wrote to Catherine Griffin today.

Thursday, April 14. Cloudy and high wind. Last night so bad a heavy rain and hard storm of wind. All we could do to prevent our tent from blowing away.

Friday, April 15. Clear and warm. Received two letters from John and one from Will and 1 from Lou and a commission from Gov. Gates.A.D. Richards also received a commission to Capt of Co.

Saturday, April 16. Weather fine- Was discharged and mustered in as a 1st Lieut Capt. Richards was mustered in at the same time.

Sunday, April 17. Weather Fine.

Monday, April 18. Clear and warm. 2nd Brigade moved on board of transport. 99th received orders to move up to the Brigade.

Tuesday, April 19. Fine weather – Over from outpost to fortification and joined rest of Brigade. Arrived in camp at noon. Received a detail as a member of a General Court Martial to convert tomorrow morn at 9 O'clock

Wednesday, April 20 . Cloudy. Court Martial met and organized. Names of Members of President of Lt. Col. Vanacida of 21st 1d

Judge Advocate

Capt. Clerk 21st Power

Capt. Henry 23rd Power

Capt Cirkey 22nd Power

Capt. Hodgen 99th Power

Lt Caobeant 21st Power

Lt Griffin 99th Power

Tried 8 cases

Thursday, April 21. Clear and warm. Court met at 9...Tried 4 cases. Adjourned to met at 9 AM on the 22.

Friday, April 22. Wet- Tried some cases and then adjourned.

Saturday, April 23. Nothing now. Weather fine—Court adjourned to meet April 25th

Monday, April 25. Court Martial adjourned sine die. Captain Richards at to N.O. in charge of prisoners. Rec’d mail a letter from Lou, one from John and from Elijah Faris and one from J.H Litton.

Tuesday April 26. The loss of Charlie hurts me. I can hardly reconcile my mind.

Wednesday, April 27. All quiet in camp-fine weather-wrote to Lou.

Thursday, April 28. On guard.

Friday, April 29. All quiet and fine weather.

Saturday, April 30. Wrote to Lou.

Sunday, May 1. Wrote to Lou. (see below for letter)

Monday, May 2. Wrote to John and Elijah Faris.

Tuesday, May 3. On picket guard.

Monday, May 9. On Guard Duty.

Sunday, May 15 on Guard Duty

Monday, May 16. Received a mail – brought me a letter from Lou – One from John and from E. Foris? And one from Jennie Macklem.

Wednesday, May 18. Moved up near end line of defenses.

Thursday, May 19. Regiment on fatigue-Loading Clinton.

Friday, May 20. Regiment on fatigue in the afternoon. Loading Steamship Clinton.

Saturday, May 21. On Guard- Steamship Clinton sailed for New Orleans.

Sunday, May 22. Co. E on fatigue at port commissary-looks but little like the Sabbath at home.

Monday, May 23. Pleasant weather.

Tuesday, May 24. Propeller Corinthian, Steamship Zepher and Warrior Sailed for New Orleans. Weather clear and fine

Wednesday, May 25. Propeller exact arrived from New Orleans with the mail. Rec’d a letter from Lou, one from Mary Griffin and one from Catherine Griffin. Wrote to Lou and Mary. Lou is discouraged and needs my presence to cheer her up. I long to be with her.

Thursday, May 26. Wrote to John and Father. Think of home more frequently than ever before. Long to see my family and to comfort them.

Friday, May 27. On Guard. Lazy work on picket guard here. A good place to think of the past and make resolves for the future. I have been thinking today that my past life has been poorly spent, and by the help of God will do better in time to come.

Saturday, May 28. Steamship Crescent Arrived from Brownville. Wrote to Martha McCurdy. If I could only feel happy in the love of God as I did onset. I sometimes do, but not always. The influences around me tempt me to do wrong. I pray for strength.

Sunday, May 29. Co. E on fatigue in the afternoon. The morning passes quietly. No service. We need a good religious Chaplin to lead us. I wonder why Mr. Evans don’t come.

Monday, May 30. Co.E on fatigue.

Wednesday, June 1. On picket guard-Received 17 letters—6 of them from Lou, 1 from Jennie Higbee, 1 from Lydia Willard, 2 from Capt Griffin, 1 from Still, 1 from J.K. Sitton, 2 from A.W. Bemiss, 1 from Mary Miller, 1 from Elie Williamson, 1 from Frank Miller.

Thursday, June 2. Wrote to Lou

Friday, June 2. Wrote to Jennie Higbee.

Saturday, June 4. On Picket Guard.

Sunday, June 5. Wrote to Lydia.

Thursday, June 9. On Picket Guard – sent $5.00 to Moses A Dow for the Waverly Magazine, once Godey’s Ladies book. Boston Mass.

Friday, June 10. Came off guard this morning. Wrote D.D.Hicks, C.W.Kain Chapman and Kellogg and W.H. Clayton. Wrote to Lou.

Saturday, June 11. Wrote to A.W.Bemiss. Steamer Alabama sailed for N.O with part of the 21st Iowa on board.

Sunday, June 12. On Fatigue all day. Leading the Propeller Corinthian I’m not well. The boys get very tired doing so much fatigue duty. Col. Bailey issued whiskey to all who wanted it. Capt Fee confiscated the pussers whiskey on the Corinthian, because he sold to the soldiers, downright.

Monday, June 13. Corinthian sailed for N.O. this morning. We are getting tired staying here. Will go soon

Tuesday, June 14. Embarked on board the steam ship St. Mary. Cleared the wharf at dark dropped back to pick up schooner and got hard around where we had to stay until near morning when the tide come in. Clinton arrived outside the bar from N.O. was in charge of detail to burn up hospital and all other buildings.

Wednesday, June 13. On board the St. Mary. Clinton came over the bar-brought to me mail. Rec’d a letter from Sarah Jane C. at about 7 O'clock we leave the Island and I hope forever. The Sophia led out the bay, the Clinton next, and then the St. Mary with the 99th and 5th Cos. Iw. We are now (noon) out of sight of land—vessel rocks some—some of the boys are sea sick.

Thursday, June 16. Still on the gulf, making slow time.

Friday, June 17. At two O'clock in the afternoon we entered the Mouth of the Mississippi.

Saturday, June 18. We arrived at N.O. at 7 O'clock this morning. Moved out W. Greenville and went into camp.

Sunday, June 19. Went to the city with Col. Bailey, Capt Johnson, Lt. Atkinson. Met Capt. All and John Allen and had a good time.

Monday, June 20. Went out to camp this evening and found the boys alright.

Tuesday, June 21. Marched up to Kennersville, 9 miles and went into camp.

Wednesday, June 22. Rained and wet. Wrote to Lou.

Thursday, June 23. Raining –Ordered to go to Donaldsonville.

Friday, June 24. Wrote a letter to Lou. Raining today. Embarked on the Steamer Iberville early in the morning—arrived at Donaldsonville at 3 in the evening.

Saturday, June 25. Warm and Sultry. Chaplain preached tonight.

Sunday, June 26. Chaplain preached at 10 ½ o'clock in the grove. Quite a number of soldiers out and listened with much attention.

Monday, June 27. Went across the Bayou to see Major Matthews who is sick. I found him some better today. The larger part of the town is on that side. Most of the town has been burned.

Tuesday, June 28. Weather hot.

Thursday June 30. Hot- some rain.

Monday, July 4. Salutes were fired from the fort and U.S. Gunboats at morning noon and night. Flags were displayed from all quarters.

Thursday, July 7. Embarked on the Steamer Joseph Pearce—Arrived at N.O. at nine o'clock tonight.

Friday, July 8. Came over to Algiers and went into camp.

Monday, July 18. Am looking for Brother John every day.

Tuesday July 20. Embarked on Steamship Laurel Hill at daylight. Left the wharf at eight o'clock and started up the river. Landed at Morganza Bend sometime during the night.

Wednesday July 27. commenced disembarking at daylight. Went into camp on the river bank, at Morganza Bend, L.A.

Thursday, July 28. The first brigade went out on a Scout-towards the Stohafazliah-met and routed the rebels and returned.

Saturday, September 3. Embarked upon the transport Illinois with the 21st Iowa and 120 Ohio at noon. Hard storm of wind and rain in the evening, thought we were started for good at dark, but only went 2 or 3 miles and landed.

Sunday, September 4. Started up the river at daylight, passed the Red River early in the morning. Arrived at Natchez an hour before dark. Saw all three of my brothers there. Had a joyful meeting. After dark we moved up the river 2 miles and landed.

Monday, September 5. Started at break of day. Arrived at Vicksburg an hour or two before night. Found my old friend Dr. Erisez there. Lay there all night. The troops on board the Rose Hambelton changed onto the Kentucky.

Tuesday, Septemeber 6. Left Vicksburg early in the morning. Run very slow all day, our flee consists of seven transports and one gun boat viz: 1st Laurel Hill, 2nd Nebraska, 3rd Baltic, 4th Illinois, 5th Ohio Bell, 5th Fringle, 7th Kentucky, convoy gunboat No. 14

Wednesday, September 7. Nothing of interest today except the whole fleet stopped to bury a soldier—then the Nebraska collided with the gunboat No 14 and broke some arms out of the wheel of the latter. Fun all night.

Thursday, September 8. Landed at the mouth of the White River early this morn. Camped in the cotton field. We had to pull the cotton stocks out of the way.

Friday, September 9. In camp at the cotton patch at the mouth of the White River.

Saturday September 10. Embarked on board the Steamer Hattie and started up the White River. On the way up struck a snag, causing some alarm on board. Main of Co. A jumped overboard and swam ashore and was brought on board by the boat hands in the yawl.

Sunday, September 11. This afternoon we arrived at St. Charles Ark., disembarked and went into camp.

Monday, September 20. Col Bailey started to Memphis with the expectation of going home from there.

Friday, September 25. John Allen Starts to Memphis

Monday, September 26. Today I sent up an application for a leave of absence. Received a detail on a court martial as judge advocate. The other members of the court are Capt. John R. Richards and Capt. T.C. Hodgens.

Tuesday, September 27. Court met this morning and tried two cases; 1st Henry Andrews of Co.C and Charles Main of Co.A.

Wednesday September 28. Court met again this morning but adjourned sine die. A hard storm of wind and rain.

Thursday September 29. Johnny Allen returned from Memphis said Col. Bailey went home from there. I wrote a few thoughts and sent them to Bemiss.

Friday, September 30. Raining.

Thursday October 20. The regiment embarked on board the Steamer Eclipse for Duvall Bluffs.

Saturday October 22. Arrived at Duvall Bluffs at 2 o'clock this afternoon.

Sunday October 23. Embarked on board the Steamer Sallie list early this morning and starts down the White River.

Wednesday October 26. Arrived at St. Charles at Noon-got caught on a bar and lay there all night.

Thursday, October 27. Started at eight o'clock this morning.

Sunday October 30. Left mouth of White River on board the Sallie list at five o'clock in the evening . At nine o'clock in the night passed the Steamer Dunliff stuck on a snag. Rescued her passengers.

Monday, October 31. Left mouth of White River on board the Sallie list yesterday. Arrived at Helena today at noon.

Tuesday, November 1. Arrived at Memphis this morning at eight o'clock took passage aboard the Steamer Belle Memphis for Cairo.

Wednesday November 2. Arrived at New Madrid at ½ past one o'clock PM Arrived at Cairo 9 o'clock tonight.

Thursday, November 3. Took the twelve o'clock train at Cairo arrived at Odin at Nine o'clock, tonight took the train for St. Louis—arrived at St. Louis at 2 o'clock.

Friday, November 4. Took passage on Steamer Nellie Rogers at 2 o'clock.

Saturday, November 5. Arrived at Montezuma at 2 o'clock. P.M. Had a very pleasant trip from St. Louis up. Met Mr. Foremen at Montezuma and rode out in his wagon to Time. Arrived at Time at 4 o'clock and found Lou at Ad Norton's.

Sunday, November 6. Went to Father's and stayed all day and all night.

Tuesday November 29. Left home this morning for Naples. Left Naples at ½ past 6 o'clock this evening.

Wednesday, November 30. Arrived at Tolono at 1/2 past 2 o'clock this morning. Missed the Cairo train—lay all day at Tolono. Left Tolono at ½ past 5.

Thursday, December 1. Arrived at Cairo this morning at daylight. Embarked on board the Steamer Olive Branch and left Cairo at 6 this eve.

Letter Sent to A.W. Bemiss:

Matagorda Island Texas.

March 31, 1864

A.W. Bemiss

Dear Sir: 
I wrote to you but a day or two ago, but as my propensity for writing has become materially augmented of late – thought I would write again; knowing that anything from “a Soldier in camp in the field” will be read and appreciated by you.

Our life at present is rather a monotonous one; consequently we are compelled to adopt various modes of “driving dull care away”, one of the most pleasant of which is writing our friends at home.

The duty we are preforming at present is not the kind that suits soldiers of our nature. We like something more active an order to march forward toward the interior would be hailed with delight. Soldiers, with their limited means of knowing the plans of our Commanding Generals, can hardly be brought to see the point in laying on a sandy barren island for months at a time. It may be right- but I confess that I am not in possession of a sufficient amount of human ken to see it. We get but little news from the rest of the world, and when we do it is very stale.

I have been regaling myself with the contents of the Westminster and North British Reviews, dating back as far as 1855. I find there the cause of the Russian War; alos the resources of the nations engaged; and the manner in which they conducted the Crimean war. Once cannot help arriving at the conclusion that our cause is more just than that of the English. It is not my province however, to discuss the merits of their cause.

We find in reading the history of the wars in France, Belgium, Italy, Poland and Spain, a greater similarity to our own, than we do in the Crimean war.

After the “Treaty of Vienna” was established Europe was said to be at peace. Politicians said so at least, but they meant nothing more than a truce or an armistice. The peace which they proclaimed rested precisely the same foundation that the previous state of things had done; that is they wanted to stop long enough to breath. On how firm a basis the peace rested let the battles in France, Poland, Belgium, Italy and Spain decide.

How like the Treaty of Vienna was the Compromise of 1820; After that our histories speak of the “era of good feeling”. That Compromise was nothing more than an Armistice of a truce. There was no change in the feelings of the contending parties. The inevitable forces had not ceased to work. The bone of contention still existed.

How firmly this “era of good feeling” as our histories are pleased to term it, was rooted in the hearts of the people, we can see by first referring to the Boston Mob which sought the hearts blood of the garrison. We can find evidence all the way down from 1835 to Bulls Run, Anteitem, Gettysburg, Champions Hills, and Vicksburg, how strong that good feeling was.

Tho final result we do not doubt. This universal contest will be decided in our favor, because the universal tendency of mankind is toward perfect liberty, it is so recorded in the book of human history. The instincts of the human heart teaches us what Jefferson truly said that God has no attribute that can take sides for Slavery. This truth is not limited but is universal.

We may as well imagine Pope Pius will dominate the world, or that Russian serfdom will be established on free American soil; as to suppose that the slave breeding aristocracy will again be permitted to rule Americans sell men and women like cattle.

Faint hearts may quail, weak men may tremble in their boots as they “smell the battle far off,” copperhead traitors may cry out “Call off the hounds! Let us have peace!” but it will not do. The issue is upon us and now is the time to look it square in the face. Now is the time to conquer a peace that will be worth more than the flimsy Compromise of 1820. WE do not look for a fairy peace. WE do not want it, because it would be worthless if we had it, and whosoever desires such a peace is a coward and deserves not to live in a free country. We want no more compromises. WE have already had too many and now the sooner the last vestige of human slavery is swept away the sooner we will have a permanent peace, if we shun the task now the blow will fall upon our children. Our lives and our all is staked upon a peace that will be enduring for generations to come, and we will accept of none other, and may God speed the day when it will come.

Please excuse those incoherent lines for I sometimes imagine that I am talking to traitors and then I must let off steam. I send you this that you may know the sentiments of the soldiers who take the trouble to think. I have no local news to give. All are well and seem to be happy. My kind regards to friends.

Ever your sincere friend, R.H. Griffin

Letter from Robert Hall Griffin to Louisa (Hooper) Griffin

Head quarters Co. E 99th Ills. Vols. Infty. Matagorda Island, Texas

May 1st 1864

Dear Wife:

Again I commence the pleasant task of writing to you this Sabbath morning. I have not received any letters from you since last writing, but I never wait for that. I write as often as I can anyhow. Your letters nearly always come in a bunch. Sometimes I get three or four at a time. I am anxious to have another mail for I know I will get some letters from you. When I last wrote to you I did not expect to write from here any more, but here we are yet and a pretty good prospect of remaining here for some time to come. The white troops have all left except our regiment and the 21st of Iowa. The probability is that we will remain here and do garrison duty which pleases us all very well. I think this is a very healthy place to stay. We have never all been in as good health, as we have, since we have been on the coast. The weather is fine and cool all the time. It would be pretty warm some days if it were not for the breeze which comes from the sea it commences about 9 o'clock in the morning and continues all day. Capt. Richards has not returned from New Orleans yet. Consequently I am still in command of the company. I have been very busy during the past week making out muster and pay rolls. We mustered yesterday for pay, but I do not know when the paymaster will come round. I hope before long. Bad news awaits Capt. Richards on his return from the city. One of his children died recently, two or three letters are here for him with the badge of mourning, poor fellow, I know how to sympathize with him, but he is yet unconscious of his troubles. It will go very hard with him for he is like myself, he almost worships his children, but these things must be borne we cannot expect to pass through the world without trials and afflictions. If we had nothing but happiness and pleasure here, we would not know how to appreciate heaven when we reach that place. It is like being separated from earthly friends. If we are always permitted to enjoy each other's society, I doubt if we are so well prepared to appreciate each other so well, as if we are necessarily separated for a time. It was always said to me, that I loved home and friends. If this was true before I ever was away from home, it is doubly true now, for I know that I never before place a proper estimate upon them until since I have been separated from them. I have often heard it said that time would wean a man from his old associations, and even from home and friends. I know not how it is with others, but as for me I am prepared to deny it. On the other hand the longer I am away the more I long for home and its associations, but you must not think that I go drooping around and am homesick, for you know that I am of a buoyant spirit, and am rather inclined to look on the bright side of things, and in this manner I will try to spend the time until I get home, and then I expect to spend many a happy a year with you, in the hope that there will be no more war to separate us or our boy. I would rather pass through a great deal, than that our Wesey should ever have to undergo what I have done.

I have no news to write at this time. I am officer of the guard tomorrow and will be on duty until the next day. We are doing the easiest solidering we have done since we have been in the service. We have new tents, are well clothed and fed and the boys are all in good health and spirits. Give my love to Mother, Mag, and Mack after receiving your own share. Kiss Wesey often for me, and send me your and his likeness as soon as you can. Write often as possible.

Farewell.

Your loving companion

R.H. Griffin

Two Weeks of Keto

In my year of challenge, April is Keto month. I have been doing keto for half of the month and it has been an interesting experience.

If you don't know what Keto is, it is a low carb, high fat diet. So it is similar to atkins or paleo, the difference is that the majority of diet should be fat, between 60%-75% fat. I am aiming for 60% fat, 35% protein and 5% carbs. Though as long as I get below 15% carbs I don't worry too much as long as my fats are higher. I used my fitness pal in the beginning, but now that I am more familiar with the diet I haven't been using it as much. I was averaging 60%-78% fats and around 7% carbs.

Meal Prepping

I prepared for keto by going to the grocery store and making 8 frozen keto meals that serve 6. I have been using those for dinner. They are chicken or meatball based so I switch off from chicken to meatball each time. These have been going well, but some of the seasoning is bland to me so I will add hot sauce or extra cheese to go with it. I usually get full pretty quickly and feel satisfied.

Meal preparing was so necessary. Not only because it makes it easy to figure out my meals, but because of the covid-19. I had been following it closely since February, and the first weekend of March one of the podcasts I listen to said that people should have a months worth of food in pantry like you do for storms. Being from Arizona, we don't really worry about natural disasters like a blizzard. So I didn't know that was a thing. The second weekend my roommate asked I wanted to go food shopping and I decided that was the perfect time to stock up and meal prep for keto. She got enough for the end of March and I got enough for April. We didn't even need things like pasta or rice.

Bulletproof Coffee

I fast in the morning to around noon, the only thing I have is bulletproof coffee. If you are not familiar it is coffee with butter, this adds in a lot of fat without a lot of work. The recipe I used called for 2 tablespoons of butter and 1 of coconut oil I also add some cinnamon. I did this until the fifth day. The coffee tasted so bad to me. I don't mind black coffee, and this was much worse. So, after a bit of google searching I found out that most people work their way up to that amount. So I started to only do 1 tablespoon of coconut oil.

That didn't help, in fact I felt like it was making it worse and I was actually holding my nose to drink it! So, more google searches, many people said the coconut oil wasn't for them. So I switched to 1 tablespoon of butter. That is so much better. I could actually drink the coffee without wincing. I would even be finished with my coffee without noticing. Since then I have built up to 2 tablespoons. I probably won't add the coconut oil back in. I am not going to say I will continue to drink bulletproof in May, but maybe after the next two weeks I will want to.

Snacks

For my first meal I usually have an avocado smoothie made with avocado, protein powder, unsweetend peanut butter and ice. The recipe adds berries, but I think they have too many carbs so I stopped adding those. For snacks I eat a shot glass of olives, meat sticks, and fat bombs which is peanut butter and cream cheese. I ran out of cream cheese so I don't eat those any more, but they were great. 

Thoughts

If you have done keto or know about it you may have heard about keto flu. The keto flu are symptoms like headache, foggy brain, nausea and etc that some people experience in the first week of keto. Forums will try to explain what the keto flu is, but there really haven't been any studies on what causes the symptoms. It does go away after a few days so it is nothing to worry about.

I had some symptoms like nausea, headache and charly horses. It actually reminded me a little bit of when I have done a three day fast.

When my friend was pregnant her doctor told her to eat before you would get nausea and that would help her not be nausea as much, basically snacking a lot during the day. So I used this trick. If I felt nausea I would have oils or fat bombs if it was between meals or I would eat lunch or dinner. This really helped get rid of the symptoms.

As for the charly horses I started drinking more water and I only had them two nights. I haven't felt any flu symptoms for a while, so it does go away, but it is something to look out for. Hopefully, some of these tips help you.

Progress

So far I have lost 12 pounds or so since starting keto. I know some of it might be water weight at the beginning. So I hope that I because I have another two weeks it will stick to me more. It is a diet that would be hard to maintain for months and months, but I think I am learning that Fats are Friends and to opt for that over carbs.

Why I Still Lend to Kiva

How I started

I started lending on Kiva in 2007, after I first heard about it from Oprah. I loved the concept of lending money to people who could use it to better their position. I like that $25 can be reused over and over. In this way a small loan can go along way.

Since I have started I have made 39 loans to equal $975 loans. I have been repaid $792.08 and lost only $27.63. I only have $134.40 total currently lent or waiting to be lent. Even though, there has been some loss the majority of people will pay in full and I believe that the loans help people better their lot. 

In the last three decades extreme poverty has declined 60% to less than 10%. I believe that Kiva lending has had some impact, however small that is to helping that. It has also provided water, education and sanitation to people all over the globe. This helps impacts everyone.

Differences

Some things that have changed over more than a decade, there are teams that you can assign your loan too and people in those teams can also loan. You could also pick loans from the teams. Some of the teams are based on types of loans like Give Green which finds green loans to invest. The only team that I use to find loans is Late Loaning Lenders which finds loans that are about to expire without being fully funded. The other teams I will just add my loans to. 

Another difference, is that there are group loans. I don't remember there being group loans in the beginning. When they first started having group loans, I stuck to individuals, because I thought it would be more difficult for a group of people to repay a loan than an individual. I also thought it was more helpful to help one person. I haven't been as picky about this lately. I haven't noticed a difference in the pay back. I also started to think that helping more people makes an impact as great or better than an individual.

You can get a loan if you are in the US or give a loan to someone in the US. I selected a US loan when they first made this change, but it default with only seven payments to go. I would consider loaning in the US again, but I think peer-to-peer lending companies already fill the niche.

Something different I do is, since January 2018, I have started to deposit $5 into my account every month and donate a $1 to the Kiva foundation. I think a steady amount every month even if it's a $1 is better than the $3.75 that is recommended when you make a loan. Because of this steady amount and repayments I have made 9 loans in 2019 and 2018. This is better than making up the difference to my balance, it's consistent so I belief I have been able to take more loans than previously. So, this year I increased my deposit to $7 and donate $2 each time. I lent in late December, so today was the first time I made a loan since the new deposits.

How to I pick my loans?

When looking for a loan, I usually look for loans in the Americas. This is for a few reasons, I know that they really have a need for the loans, and because I think lending to North, Central and South America has a bigger impact on people in the US than lending to people in Europe, Asia or Africa. Simply because of the distance and the connections of our economies. I imagine the money trickling up here no matter how small or how long it takes and impacting migration.

Even though I try to look in countries in the Americas, there is also a feature where you can look by countries you haven't lent in yet. So I sometimes I will do that as well, but I still prefer loans in the Americas.

I also try to look for women or a woman. While I do think women have more of a need for it, I also think that when you loan to women it has a bigger impact on her family, community and nation. 

Like I said sometimes, I will look for a loan that is about to expire before it is funded. I don't always do this because, but I think it is nice to help loans that get overlooked.

I currently have 7 loans that are pending, one that is fundraising, four that are paying back and two that are paying back delinquent. Kiva will continue to let people pay if they are willing to pay even if they go delinquent which is good. One of the loans was in Puerto Rico, and after hurricane Maria they had trouble paying, and another is in Ghana. The other loans are in Columbia, Guatemala, India and Moldova. 

Kiva Gifts

Early on I gave gift certificates to some of my family to get them started as well. I gave gifts to 8 people and they have relent at least 13 times, two gifts are private so I can't see if they relent. I will gift a Kiva cards to the first commenters who is interested.

I will continue to deposit and donate to Kiva, even though there are other microlending and peer-to-peer lending companies out there, because I believe that it has an impact. If you used kiva what are your thoughts? Do you have any loans that you think need fundraising?

My latest Kiva loan:

Kiva.org

4 Spring Things to do While on Quarantine

Are you on quarantine? Millions of people are in 2020 and you might be struggling to find something to do as well. I have found a few things that I started doing this spring in order to combat bored and isolation. I am not going to talk about spring cleaning or home improvement. I think those are two things that are more work than pleasure. While they might be great things to kill the time, I am looking for more unique and leisurely activities.

Start an Indoor Garden

One thing that I have been doing is growing plants in my home. I already have some potted plants that I maintain, but I have also began to grow plants from seeds, tops of carrots or bottoms of onions.

You don't need fancy pots or containers. I have just been using contains, plastic or paper. I even used the Styrofoam from the chicken I bought at the store. For the carrots, onions and celery, I cut off the part ends that I wasn't going to use to cook with. Then, I put them in a shallow try until they grew white roots. I transferred the celery and onions to normal potting soil but the carrots were moved to the chicken tray. I am going to plant them in soil soon. 

I am also going seeds in a plastic container from a get together in February. I kind of mixed up which seeds I put in which sections, but I think the seeds that sprouted are peppers. I am going to transfer them into individual containers so they can grow roots for a few more weeks. I also put lemon and grapefruit seeds in a jar with cotton balls. Those are starting to sprout too, but haven't gotten up out of the cotton yet.

I also put some potatoes and garlic into paper milk containers. I saw some growth in one of those, but I think it takes over a month to see growth from those.

It is nice to have all the green in the house. I also planted a orange tree that my roommate's Mom bought for me at the beginning of February. She heard that I always orange tree and she got me one. She brought her daughter a smaller lemon tree and told her that when it was ready to plant she had to move into her own home!  

Art & Wine Day

A fun thing to do in the spring is to take a wine and art class on a calm Sunday. So, on the last Sunday of March my roommate and I decided to have one on the patio. We made Sangria using a cheap red wine, cocktail fruit, and fresca or spirit. You can use a more expensive wine if you want but I don't like to waist good wine if I'm adding fresca. We also made pineapple salsa and chips.

Then we put on flowery dresses, big hats and sunglasses and went out to the patio. We used our limited supplies of paint, brushes and canvas and put on some Sunday brunch music.

My roommate painted her feelings on the corona virus and I painted some kitchen decor. It was very relaxing and nice to be outside. Next time I am going to paint the plastic terracotta pot. 

Bird Watch

Another activity we have been doing, is that we bough bird feeders for different kinds of bird feed (sugar water, seeds, suet. We hung them outside on our tree. We have had a lot of birds that I have never noticed in Arizona before. We even have one lark that comes in the evening and sings pretty songs. I don't know what kind of bird he is, but we name him Jake. We even have two ducks or mallards that started hanging out on the sidewalk by the feeders.

If you don't want to buy bird feeders you can use milk cartons and make some. We couldn't do that because we used ours on the garden. It is nice to see the little birds around and actually pretty entertaining.

Start a Blog or Journal

Even though, I have had my blog for a while, I usually only post after I have traveled, which isn't often. I think this is a good opportunity to make blogging a habit. I think people get better at coming up with content and ideas the more they practice. 

Pick a topic that you like and know a lot about and start blogging. I try to blog about topics that interest me like traveling, genealogy and finance. You might not appeal to everyone, but on the internet you will find your niche. 

Doing one or some of these activities can help you build your attention span, which can be hard to do with social media and instant gratification. Extending your attention span might help you to be bored less often and for short periods of time. Let me know if you try a few? May you have an activity that you started doing that you want to share?

Crochet Projects

I started crocheting maybe two years ago. I started doing it because I wanted something to do with my hands while watching netflix. It is a way to keep me from looking at my phone while watching. Though I still look at the project more than the television. I can still pay more attention to the what I'm watching than I can when I am scrolling through social media or playing games on my phone.

My first projects were very bad. I would make a simple single crochet blanket but the blanket would shrink with each row. I will say I still think I'm a novice, but I feel better about giving my projects to people instead of to the dog shelter.

Project 1 - Amigurumi Bees from Red Heart

For this spring, I was going to give my niece and cousin's baby crochet bees for Easter. But with the coronavirus, I probably won't see them for Easter. I will hold on to the Bees for now. I picked this Amigurumi because it looked simple compared to the other designs. It was just a ball, which I have done before and wings which I haven't done before. I think the bees turned out well.

The kit says it makes two bees, but I was able to make four. I have some yarn leftover. The yarn is thin so I needed to get a 2.5 mm hook. The yarn also tangles pretty easily, but it didn't knot bad enough that I couldn't get it out. I also had to get eyes.

I also bought the mermaid kit. We are planning a trip to San Diego at the end of May. So I was going to give a mermaid to my niece and my cousins baby. I haven't started those projects yet. I have another to complete first.

Project 2 - Baby Blanket

I started a baby blanket on Tuesday because I found out that my other cousin is pregnant. I based it on the blanket in the link. It didn't like all the colors so I am just using blue, yellow and green. I will do the colors blue, yellow, green, yellow, and finally blue. She wants to do the gender reveal on Memorial day while we are all in San Diego. I want to have the blanket ready to give to her then.

I have not done a V-stitch before but I have done the double crochet. It is also a lot faster to do a row than the blanket I made for my niece, which was single crochet. So far the project isn't getting smaller as I go. The only issue is that when I change colors I have been using a magic knot and so sometimes the color doesn't change until after the three chains at the end. I think that is ok, because there will be a trim around the blanket, and I do not think that will be noticeable.

If it doesn't work out at the end I will give to my roommate and try again.

So, if you need a hobby to pick up while quarantined or to keep your attention off your phone, consider crochet. It's a good way to help combat a short attention span, relaxing, and you can have some nice projects at the end. As you are getting started you can donate early projects to animal shelters. Dogs and cats don't care if their blankets are a trapezoid shape. At least near me the shelters are always in need of blankets and towels.