Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1860-06-08
The seWide AVnIkes.,,

We condense from the Hartford Couraa
the following description of this Campaign
Corps, which originated in that city. Il
seems that the idea of this organization
originated as follows: In the torchlight pro.
cession which escorted Cassius NJ. Clay to
his quarters after his speech in Hartford, on
the evening of February 27, and which
marched through the streets after that duty
were two young men who wore black cam.
brio capes to protect themselves from the
oil, which experience had taught them
would occasionally drip from the tOrches.-
The marshal Of the procession noticed the
uniform and complimented them upon it,
and had them put at the head of the pro-
cession. 1t was the subject of kerry gener-
al remark that the capes were grand
idea, and the next Gay it was proposed
among the young men to get up COM
pany Of fifty, and to adopt as uniform,
glazed caps and capes. and to carry torches.
The name "Wide Awake" was afterwards
suggested by paragraph in the Courdnt
of March Sd. The "Wide Awakes" did
yeoman service in the Connecticut cam
paign, and, since that time, clubs have
been formed in various parts of the country.
The Courant describes the uniform and
regulations of the "Wide Awakes," as fol-
lows:
"These clubs are composed of young
men who, while holding themselves ready
for any duty during the day, are organized
more particularly for escort and torchlight
duty during the evening, at meetings and
in professions. The uniform of the COM
pany consists of glazed cap and large
eDamelled cloth cape, made very full and
reaching down about the length of the arm,
so that when the arm is hanging by the
side, the cape entirely covers the sleeves of
the coat. The capes are tied or buttoned
in front, so that when the arm is raised to
carry the torch, the coat sleeve is not ex-
posed, and the action of the arm is not i'm
peded. The officers have overcoats of the
enamelled cloth, made in the style known
as the Inverness mantle. The object of
the cape, besides being very striking uni
form, is to protect the clothes from oil,
which may drop from the torches. A coat
would be expensive, and the cape was
adopted on accout of its cheapness. The
torches are made of tin, and will hold
about quart each. They are hung in
ring like ship'scompass, and will swiugin
every direction, and by adapting them
selves to the motion of the carrier, are al
ways upright. The sticks are about five
feet long and an inch and half in diane
ter. The officers of the company wear
glazed hats instead of caps, and instead of
torches carry colored lanterns, the Captain
red, and the Lieutenants green or blue.-
Whole cost Of uniform and torch $2,25.-
The men are regularly drilled in marching,
and are as strictly under arms as any mill
tary company: in this lies the great beauty
and efficiency of the organization. The
regularity of their movements in torch
light procession elicits the warmest admi-
ration from all those who see them, aud
their obedience to the word of command,
and their strict discipline, renders them of
great service in escort duty, and their at
tendance upon out of door meetings. The
rules of marching are as strictly enforced
with the Wide Awakes as in the 7th Regi-
ment; and cigar smoking, talking, leaving
the ranks, and other Irregularities, are no
more allowed in the one than in the other
corps.
We are told that "Wide Awake" Club
is to be formed in Fremont. The young
men are moving in the matter. Success to
the plan.