Outgoing correspondence from Robert Ridgway, October 15, 1867

              u.s geological exploration 40th parallel camp 19 buena vista canon west humboldt mts october 15th 1867 my dear father yesterday was a happy day to me four letters from home the first since i left washington they date as follows august 5th aug 26th sept 16th and sept 23rd that of the 16th from granville turner. how glad i was to hear from home i had almost despaired of hearing this season how glad i was to see home even in the form of a photograph and little jodie how he has changed i took his photograph at first for that of harry walker. our photographer says they are excellent pictures particularly that of home i believe mother spoke of my sending photographs home in relation to this there is one very important thing which i forgot to mention our photographer takes only negatives the prints will be made in the last probably in washington i think however i can have some printed in virginia where we will pass the winter i believe i have never given you any particulars as to the manner and extent of our work from the summer well our first working camp was camp 12 on the truckee there i spent a happy month going down the river with mr parker ind superintendent for this state and mr o'sullivan our photo in my last i gave a detailed account of our lake trip. from the truckee