Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1861-11-06
Camp Correspondence.
CAMP RANDALL, MADISON,
Nov. LIST, 1861.

NOV. ISL, lOOl.
FRIEND Lutte AS l have a respit
from duty this afternoon, will improve
it by informing you concerning the haps
and mishaps of the Lyon Light Guard.
You, with many Of our friends, wit
messed our fearful departure from Pres
colt; but not fearful to all. Some there
were who like private D. had no dear
ones with whom to part; and perhaps
like him, did not know whether this WAS
a matter of regret or congratulations
While witnessing the sorrowing faces of
bereaved friends. these lines of Byron
kept haunting my memory:
"Ah. there were sudden partings,such as press
The life from out young hearts, and choking
signs
That ne er might be repeated; who could guess
If evermore should meet those mutual eyes"
But the parting scene is over; the steam
er's prov is turned Southwark; Prescott
has faded in the distance; tears have
vanished, but quiet, cheerful sadness
peryades the most of the company
Soon their accustomed cheerfulness re-
turned, and games and song enlivene]
the evening. On account of strong
hea ! wind our progress down the river
was slow. We were cheered Mt but two
places on the river-Damond Bluff and
and Lansing, iowa. Tuesday was cold
and rainy and Il monotonous scenery of
the Mississippi was not sufficient induce
ment to draw us from the comfortable
cabin of the Itasca.
We arrived ut Prairie du CHEN at half
past 3 o'clock P. NJ. of Tuesday, took sup
per, and at 40 started in the cars for
Fort Randall.
We had proceeded about 80 miles to
n place called Boscobel, when rs We were
leaving We heard a rough rumbling
sound ahead, and soon the cars came to
stop. Soon word came to us that the
engine had RIM off the track, and we
must spend the night there. About one
half the company were marched Oft to
an empty building to spend the night;
the balance remained in the cars. la the
morning we saw how narrow had been
our escape from a serious accident. A
freight train had just been switched off
from the main track and the rails had
not been replaced; consequently our train
was thrown off and stopped just rs the
COW catcher had spanned shot bridge
over a small stream some eighteen feet
below the track. The driving wheels
of the engine had run off the timbers Of
the bridge. and had tho train proceeded
few feet further we should all have been
thrown off tho bridge together, and the
consequences might have been serious.--
We were furnished for breakfast hot cot
fee and crackers, of which we partook,
and ut 8 o'clock took the train for Madi-
son. We arrived at Camp Randall at
half past l 2 NJ, and were received with
hearty cheers by tho soldiers assembled
to witness our arrival. AS we marched
over the ground we received the highest
compliments from all. Officers, prisates
and citizens, nil said We were the best
company Oh the ground. The Governor,
aud others said we were the best com
pany that hae ever entered Camp Ran
dali. There seemed to be no dissenting
voice to this. and all said that undoubt
edIy we would get letter A of the / 9th
Regiment. Of course we are all highly
pleased with our reception. We were
introduced to orr Col. Bryant and
Mai, the latter being the redoubtable
Capt. Strong, of the Wis. I'd, who when
captured by six rebels shot three of them
with bis revolver and escaped, receiving
q ball through the cheek.
Wo are comfortably quartered in tho
sheds around the ground. The tents for
tho 18th are now nearly really. Each
i. calculated to accommodate about TWEEN
ty men, and rs they arc arranged in rows
they present neat appearance. Both
Regiments eat in one large building
The tables. before the men are seated,
present beautiful appearance, with the
bright, new tin cups and plates placed at
regular distances.
We have received part of our outfit
and will soon receive the balance.
Tho 18th Regiment will soon be full;
already there are eight companies upon
tho ground. Some of them arc fine
ooklng men.
There is man mot in our company
in the hospital tonight. His sickness is
caused by embibiug too freely of poison
ed whiskey.
Fearing that I have already wearied
your patience VIII close. AS events
transpire worthy of notice you will be
duly posted by d.
,9 sheriff,s Sale.