The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1861-05-23
Army Correspondence.
CAMP SCOTT, MILWAUKEE, !
May II, 1861,
MeSSTS. Editors /:

MeSSTs. Editors
An important and long expected ceremony
was performed to day. An officer Of the United
States Army, who came here COR the purpose,
has this day mustered into the service of the
United States, The First Regiment of Wiscon-
sin Volunteers, or,as it is officially called "The
Wisconsin State Active Militia 1t was
somewhat imposing scene. The entire regiment
was drawn up on the parade groupd, and as com
pany after company marched between the lines
of sp sctators, and with barred heads and raised
hands, swore to support and obey the Constitu-
ton Of the United States, they We're greeted
with loud applause from the assembled multi
tudes and words of praise from the Colonel and
his officers.
The company sworn before Us was the Union
Rifles, Capt, Mitchell, formerly commander Of
the Revenue Gutter, A. V. Brown, which the
citizens of Kenosha remember having often seen
in our harbor. Three men from that company
refused to take the oath, and were consequently
brought to the front and formally discharged
from the regiment, amid the Kisses of the spec
tators, 1 am glad to say that not man of our
company faltered, but every man marched up
and took the oath with d will, Those in Keno
sha who supposed that the occasion would afford
an opportunity to get into the company, by
causing vacancies, will be disappointed.
A rather remarkable occurrence took place
the other day, while on drill The regiment
was formed in line of battle, their front extend
ing across the entire parade ground. The drill
was severe, and was continued about an hour,
when suddenly man in the ranks began to
stagger, turned CHASTITY pale, and would have
fallen upon the ground, had not comrade
caught him in his arms, He was removed to his
tent, but scarcely minute had elapsed before
another fell and another, until seven had fallen
all seized with exactly the same symptoms. The
excitement for some time was great, and the
most improbable stories were soon in circula-
ton, concerning the cause of the sickness. Some
supposed that the men were poisoned, and this
opinion gained ground from tie fact that only
one company was attacked. Col. Starkweather,
however, explained it on the ground of sympa-
thy He said that the first man who was at
tackled had undoubtedly tainted, and the others
were affected alphabetically. The men soon
recovered, and have since experienced no bad
effects from their sudden fainting,
Last Sunday we had religious exercises on
the ground, consisting of singing, prayer, and &
short exhortation from the Rev. Mr.. Ingraham,
whe distributed among the soldiers number OF
short prayers for their especial use.
We have now been several days in our canvas
houses, and have passed through some seven
transforms and much cold weather. We have
suffered no Inconvenience, however, and no one
has complained of cold or wet.
A great number ofspectators are gathered TO-
gether on the Camp Grounds every fine day, to
witness the drill, and en- Sunday especially, il
the day is fine, the crowd is immense. Among
them are great many ladies, but as far as
have been able to discover, very few handsome
ones. 1t may be that my residence in Kenosha
has made me dificu 1t TO please, but certainly
handsome women seem as scarce in Milwaukee
as they are abundant in the former place. II
must be So for all the boys say So
Our regiment has been reported ready for i'm
mediate service, by telegram to Washington,
and We are all exl ecting and hoping for ON
marching orders have just heard a rumor
that we were to leave next Wednesday but dc
not credit it.
i Volunteer