Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1861-10-16


The following private letter from Capt.
CAlIIs contains so much information Of
public importance that we venture its pub
lication: l
CAMP LYON, HsAD-QUARrEEs KlsG.s BRIGADE,
October Sd, 1851
Mr.. CovER:-Some time having elaps-
ed since we have heard from you through
your paper, and thinking perhaps you do
not know where to send the paper, !
thought best to drop you line by way Of
advising you of cur whereabouts. The
End, 9th and 7th Regiments Wisconsin
Volunteers, are encamped at Chain Bridge;
to our Regiment, ie the 7th. has been as
signed the first-post of honor in General
Kings Brigade; when ! say the first post
Of honor, | mean the 7th is the advance
Regiment in the Brigade. This enyiable
position has been obtained through the In
nuence Of our Colonel, James Van Dor and
our Major Hamilton, the former having an
enviable REPETITION as military leader, and
the latter being gentleman and having
strong friends in Gen. McClellan's staff
Our boys are all well and conduct them
selves like model men should. We are
now exposed to the fire of the enemy
should they pitch into US. We have dared
to set our foot upon the sacred soil Of the
old dominion, and none dare to dispute
our right, but | must say it is enough to
cast gloom over the most impervious
mind, to see the blighting influences Of
the present war, together with the reflects
of the accursed institution of slavery, the
exciting as well as the approximate cause
of the trouble which now agitates our once
proud republic. Slavery coupled with the
indiscriminate opposition it has in the free
States, and its INSCRIPTIONS adherants III
the slave States, are alone chargable with
the present disorganized state Of things
and the present generation will leave the
stain thus brought upon our history, as a
legacy to their offspring; which will be in
delibly stamped on each page Of true his
tory, compiled from facts connected with
the present war. We see the once fertile
hills and valleys Of the old dominion spread
out before US, a perfect picture of waste
and steriity; the once happy homes de-
serted and left to the mercy OF the ruthless
hand OF the Infatuated soldier. have not
changed my opinions early conceived ofthe
nature Of the grievances complained of on
both sides of the question. Some men
even at this late day, talk Of compromise,
but the day has past fe- such idol sophis-
try; the ONLY ray now is to seal COM
promise with the blood Of thousands, and
p3yar give up the glove until the comprom-
ise or treaty Of peace can be written on
sheet as pure and white as the driven snow,
which sheet must be pure from the stain
Of involuntary servitude and disloyalty;
when may God Grant.
| am in the service actuated by pure
motives, and if | should in an hour OF
great peril, make mistake and give way
to the nature that God has given me, |
trust men in commenting on my acts, will
be as lenient as the circumstances will per-
nit; so that my family may not suffer the
shagrin of hearing disreputable charges
against me by my personal enemies. Our
Wisconsin boys are all well; saw Mr..
Clark to-day; he looks fine and | am told
that he is the best Quarter Master in the
Brigade. This is truly gratifying to hear
our Grant County men so fagorabIy spok-
en- Of Capt. Mckee ia well and has the
name of model officer, and his company
is the crack company of the Regiment.
Col. Cobb of the Fifth, is now in the hos
pital about mile from us. am told
that he is improving and will soon be able
TO resume his command All the Lancas-
ter Logs are well, and are known by the
name of the "Bloody Second" and if any
desperate fighting is wanted, they are cali
ed out to do it,
| have had the honor and pleasure Of
seeing old Abe, Gen. Scott, Gen. McClel-
Ian and many other big guns, and | don't
see that they are different from other men.
only surrounded by combination of DIFF
ferent circumstances; that is what makes
the man in these latter rs well as former
days.
| cannot say how long We shall be at
this point, but if you send us any papers
send as you send to Capt. Mckee, and we
will get them.
Yours with respect,
JOHN B. CAIIIs.
P. ST. write on the bottom of tin