, 1864-03-19
We are indebted to DR. Boswell of this


city, for the following extracts from pri-
vate letter, just received by him, from Rev.
D. Hockett in relation to this years emigra-
tion, etc. Mr.. Hockett formerly resided in
this valley. He writes from Freeport, ILL.,,
under date of Jan. Goth, 1864. He says:
"By this you may learn that I have ar
rived safely at home. x x
found brother-in-law with large company,
preparing for an overland passage to that
most aoonderfuI of all Gold Fields-Boise.
l say "most wonderful because the excite
ment with reference to it runs higher than
the excitement with reference to the war
for the preservation of the life of the nation.
The number going in the spring is legion of
legions All the way from New York to
western Iowa, this excitement prevails
Thousands will go by water, and many more
by land | am determined to advise no one,
but simply state what know to be true
l am satisfied that the time is near at hand
when the vast mineral resources of Idaho,
Oregon, Utah, Nebraska and California will
be developed by population so numerous,
that through the port of San Francisco, will
pass the exchange Of the commerce of the
world.
Times are tolerably good here. Money is
plenty, but all kinds of dry goods and gro
ceries are selling at exhorbitant prices. Ev-
erything in that line is lower in San Fran
cisco than in New York Bleached muslin
is selling 60 from 35 to so cts; unbleached,
at from so to 60c; cotton flannel, at the
same. Prints sell at from 25 to 35c per yd;
sugar fully as high as in Walla Walla; cof-
fee and tea fully as high. Woolen goods
are not quite in proportion. Clothing is
cheaper in Walla Walla, ready made, than
here. This may appear strange to our emf
grant brethren, yet it is, nevertheless, true
Wheat is worth 81 is per bushel; oats, 65
to 7Oc.; pork, from Sc to 81 per hid; corn,
about 36c per bushel. The passengers gen
orally received in New York for their gold,
Sl,59 in greenbacks for 81 in gold
The excitement with reference to the
war is not very great. Most of our armies
are in winter quarters. Every train through
out the States is loaded down with soldiers
returning on furloughs. The old regiments
are all enisting, as far as | know There
is from $40O to $1,000 paid as bounty in the
different States. New York pays in all
SIT, and New jersey $1,000 for veteran
recruits; for new recruits, 500 less. Those
States pay the highest bounties s.
When in New York saw the 51st come
home on the cars. They were met at the
Depot by many civilians, also the military,
together with fathers, mothers, brothers and
sisters. When they made their appearance
it was announced that out of 1900 they had
buried 1,000-most of them on the field of
battle. The remaining 800 on leaving the
cars were in marching order, their little
brothers, sisters and mothers hanging to
them. Every soldier moved as though the
fate of the world depended upon his keep
ing the exact step. Then they hoisted the
colors that they had carried through so many
battle fields yictoriously, and every one was
literally riddled with bullets, as also were
the hats, caps, and almost every vestige of
the soldiers clothing. Thus at the sound
of their own familiar fife and drum, while
mothers, sisters and brothers followed weep
ing as though their hearts would break,
they marched straightway at their own re-
quest, to the city plaza, where every soldier
enrolled his name for during the war. [ had
heard of patriotism, but these men Gov
cred themselves with glory Such is only
one Of the every day scenes throughout the
States"