Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1861-09-11
Camp Correspondence.
CAMP KALoRAMA,
near Washington, D. g.
AUGUST oath, 1861.

FRIESD CuARLEY:-Very little Of in
terest has transpired here for the last two
weeks and therefore your correspondent
desiring to fill his letters with facts and
not his own speculation has stalled to
come to time" Everything connected
with the company from Prescott must be
of interest to your readers, SO | will write
whatever has occurred both IN the COM
pany and the regiment. L only guess
you receive my letters, for l have not
seen Transcripts since we have been
here. ] suppose you send them but
some DELAY in TIE P. 0. Department
keeps them. The camp is very well
supplied with Dailies from Washington,
Baltimore and New York at five cents
each, by news boys ard by reading the
New York papers we keep very well
posted on the current events. 1t is
subject of general remark that the Wash
ington papers take their Washington
news from the New York D'ilies, and
that if we wish to know anything about
movements and events in and around this
city the Tribune, Herald or Times will
furnish it, but the National Republican.
or Evening Star will not. Some Of the
Prescott boys received a letter from Geo.
Smith of the 1st Minnesota a few days
since, who said that himself and Henry
Flfield were well and that in the battle of
Bulls Run ball Knocked the hammer
out of his fingers while he was loading
his musket. The 1st Minnesota are on
the Virginia side of the Potomac; so also.
is the 2pd Wisconsin and hear them tell
the particulars that fell urder their view
in the famous Bull Run. Each one saw
the fight from position separate from
his companion and all not having the
same powers, or opportunities of obser-
walton, no two OILERS relate the same
tale. But will not repeat any account
of battle, leaving such facts and descrip-
ton to personal observation.
l have just heard that the 18th Mass
achusetts Regiment, which has been en-
camped close to us for some time, starts
to day at two o'clock for Boonvile. That
being all the information on that point
that [ have, / guess the balance, and
suppose their destination is Missouri
Then the query arises, "won't our regi-
ment be ordered there soon" This
query is made moro pertinent from the
fact that it has been announced that the
States bordering on the Mississippi must
take care ofth war in Missouri, and the
remaining Wisconsin Regiments have
been ordered to report to General Ere
ment. .54i, ~ -'.a 7"@-
1t is mistake that Company B brought
any arms away with them from Madison,
the arms they were to receive there not
being i'll good enough order, but they
are now armed with the Springfield Ri
fled Musket. II is a most beautiful gun,
and only companies A. and B. have
them, the rest of the companies having
the old flint locks altered. The whole
regiment was inspected the other day by
Captain Hudson, one of General Nc
Clellan's aids. We turned Out in full un-
form, knapsacks and all equipments on,
in a wet, muddy field, the rain pouring
down at the time. The soldiers stood it
good humorcdly, considering it part of
the romance of the service. Yesterday
at 5 o'clock, we passed in review before
Brigadier General King. 1t was beau
tiful day and the regiment presented a
very fine appearance. Company B. had
their brasses all secured and with their
new muskets and fine marching, looked
very well.
All the c,mpanies practice target
shooting every day. believe the best
shooting so far has been done by Co. B.
Private Malery who has been very sick
for some time is slowly recovering. The
boys generally are pretty well, tho prin-
ciple ailment among them arising from
eating too much fruit and knick nacks.-
Everything is as quiet and the regular
daily duties are performed rs smoothly
as if it were not all preparatory to des-
perate struggle for life, i'll which many
of us will go to "that country, from whose
bourne no traveller returns tits sad
thought when looking upon the regiment
drawn up in line, to think such youth
full faces must be trodden in the dust, and
such manly forms made marks for the
death dealing bullets of the enemy. But
the peaceful smiles on their faces and the
fearless look dissipate all thoughts of the
near approach of death, and leave to the
beholder only the other alternative ofad-
miration for their bravery.
All are waiting and preparing patient
ly for an onward movement, but in en-
tire ignorance of the time of that event.
Of course each regiment wants to be in
the first engagement. Ours is anxious
to move across the river. The restless
unsatisfed desire for something still in
the future, which pervades the human
mind generally, is not merged even in the
active life of soldier. Though the boys
have two company drills, on battalion
drill, and one dress parade each day, be-
sides other duties entirely too numerous
to mention, yet they desire to 60 on
scouting parties, and do not wise to be
encamped mole than week in one place.
Every Sunday there is preaching by
the Chaplain. The Chaplain also keeps
the P. O. for the regiment, receiving all
the letters, taking them to the city P. O.,
and bringing the returning mail.
| Our aatIne Continues varu rrooJ NJ