, 1861-12-11


KENosHA, Wis, Dec. 9, 1851.
You are doubtless aware that the First Rcgi
ment Of Wisconsin Cavalry, Col. E. Daniels.
was recently transferred from Ripon to this
city. Ihaye become thoroughly conYersant
with the condition and prospects of the regi-
ment, and believing that brief notice of it
would be interesting to your readers, ask q
PLACE in your columns for the following obser-
Yat1ons:
Colonel Daniels has just returned from
Washington, whittier he went some days since
to arrange for the speedy equipment Of the
regiment. He brings official confirmation Of
what most Of us felt to be true, that the recent
order Of the War Department in reference to
disbandlng certain regiments Of cavalry, has
no bearing upon his Command. However it
may be with other regiments, tic First Wis
consln cavalry is Q fixed fact. It will be
speedily equipped in the most substantial
manner, and may look for an carly call toward
s'Dixie."
The camp, called, /" Harvey" in honor Of the
south Of the City, on a pleasant cminencc,
commanding view Of the lake. The site is
sandy, SO that no matter how much rain falls,
there is never any mud; the sand at all times
furnishes clean, good footing.
There arc now over eight hundred men On
The ground, and the four companies jet to be
have received uniforms Of excellent make and
material, and tic others will be supplied in
few days.
The tents are the siblcy patent, arranged
with reference to heating and ventilation, They
arc furnished with stoves, and are capable Of
accommodating sixteen men. The boys do
their Own cooking, and in not 4 few tents I
noticed good cooking stoves and witnessed
some very superior cooking done therein. ::
The management Of the Quartermaster's de-
paItment is admirable. a more popular or
efficient officer than Quartcrmaster ). G. Mann
is not to be found in the service to-day. Hc
is the most industrious person have seen for
o long time. In his store-ro0ms, although he
has occupied them but few days, system,
cleanliness, order, and economy reign. Let
this fact testify for many others: There is
on the Ripon contracts; in other words, over
500 per day are saved to the government, and
yet the men arc as well fed and furnished as
ever they have been The rations are good
and abundant, and to tic regular army allow
other home comforts. Excellent water is at
hand So that, take it all in all, in point Of
Aealtbfulness and palatablcncss, the food Of
the regiment, am satisfied, is above the aver
age Of that prepared in the great majority Of
families.
1fear you will think ezasgcratc when I
speak Of the moral, intellectual and physical
character Of the regiment; but it will appear
short Of the truth to our citizens who have
seen these men. It is the universal decision
that finer body Of troopsit would be difficult
to find anywhere. Without any intention OF
disparaging Others, not few regard this rcgi-
ment as the flower Of Wisconsin's volunteers.
Physically they hare been selected with great
care, and even then not less than Is per cent
Of those originally enlisted were rejected, as
| coming short Of the rigid standard. They are
strong, active, finely y-forned, Of good size and
,t.,l
| purpose. You will sec very few dull, stolid,
contracted -faces: they rather radiatc upon
| YOU warm, open, generous glow.
| As to the Intellectual standing Of the fcgi
ent, let it suffice to say that there is only one
man in it Tho cannot write his name, and not
| pany there are thirty-two school teachers; in
| another nineteen college students, many o1
them graduates, while still another, recruiting
| is to 6e made up Of teachers and students.
Ii morals and manners let these facts speak
The regiment has been N kenosha two weeks,
and we have yet to learn Of the occurrence o.
an act Of disorder or indecorum. Thert is NJ
Doisterousness, no rowdyism. For week
before the men got fully settled in camp, they
were free to come and 60, and get this freedom
| hegot no disposition to riot or i1Tcgularity
PoGteness, cheerfulness and selfrcspect mark
the manners Of the great majority. Such il
the state Of subordination and correct public
Ii tuEA l4l4AH +44&1l+ - 10 clHlCu
itatiyely, if twenty-five were removed from
the regiment there would be no necessity to
place guard, SO far as the conduct and disci
pline OF the remainder arc concerned. a few
nights ago, at meeting Of the 'sKenoshs
Temperance Alliance some forty OF fifty men
signed the pledge, not, as they remarked, be
cause they were not temperate; but for thu
sake Of the influence, and as an additiona
moral safeguard. Since the arrival Of the reg
imcnt in town, not only are the churche:
crowded by reyerent woTshippers and lstcncrs
from camp; but those earnest soldiers have
infused new and marvellous life into til
|'churches themselves. This is certainly some
thing unusual for (: military organization
The men sing in the choirs, throng our bible
classes, take the lead in our prayer aud con
ference meetings, and in many ways show tina
they are no novices in these elements o
Christian culture
Said clergy man Of this city to the writer
q few days ago, II feel myself inspired viii
double energy since those serious, attentive
men have joined my congregation
These are but few Of the points that nigh
be presented on this interesting subject. 8acl
men as these are the true soldiers and carr,
with theuhthe assurance Of victory. The 1oya
cnuse demands pure hands, clear heads AMI
true hearts, and the men Of the 1st Wisconsin
cayalry are not unworthy to assume the tas]
Of vindicating it.
Wisconsin owes much TO the untiring encs
81 and single -mindednsss of Col Daniels 70
gathering such noble band Of men aroun
him Respectfully, Z. C..