Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1861-09-18

COMPLIMENTARY DINNER !
General Good Feeling and right Jolly
Time.


mentary dinner to the st. Croix Rifles.
The committee took hold of the matter
with hearty good will, and the result was
a perfect success. The Fair Grounds
were filled with " fair women and brave
men"-the soldiers and their relatives
Old men were there, the fire of youth
full enthusiasm in their eyes-men in the
prime of life, either ''going to the wars"
or blessing those who go-boys full of
fun, and going through the motions of
the mimic fght-lltte children, with no
real comprehension of the meaning of the
scene, but only vague, indefinite sense
of danger somewhere-mothers, whose
brave boys were going to meet the I'M
certain issues of the stormy fight-sis-
tiers whose brothers were leaving the en-
dearments of home for the danger and
discipline of the tented field--apd hap
py maidens, lending romance to war,
and showing that loyalty to them means
loyalty to Freedom and Law, and giving
assurance that
"The bravest are the tendercst,
The loving are the daring
1t woke strange thoughts to stand on
that ground where peace had won proud
triumphs, and see the close formed ranks,
hear the cheers of the soldiery, the can.
non that Numbered of war-the drums
that talked of fight, and see the banners
waving with "battle" written on every
stripe, flashing from every star.
The dinner was ample for both SOL
diers and citizens, everything went off
in fine style and the best of good feeling
prevailed.
Just before dinner little little incident
occurred which is worthy of note. The
married ladies, doubtless thinking with
Miss Dix, that girls are hardly capable of
waiting on soldiers, resolved to wait on
the tables, and the girls were warned to
leave the premises. OF course we don't
blame the married ladies for wishing to
wait on the soldiers, but the girls, think
ing it was an assumption of power, held
a caucus, formed a squad, and marched
in and routed their elders, and waited
on the tables themselves. Good for the
girls
After dinner the whole company drill
ed for some time, the Light Artillery
marching with them, and then the Fair
Ground was covered with little squads,
composed of about an equal number of
each sex, and di4 cussing.-well, either
Hardee's Tactics, or some thing else
probably the latter.
About three o'clock the speaking COM
menced, and brief and stirring speeches
were made by Lutte A. Taylor, Capt.
Samuels, Shell. Otis, G. P. Barnard, Ho-
sea B. Bates and P. V. Wise. Each
speech was greeted with tremendous
applause and with response from the
Little Rodman," which was much the
loudest talker on the ground. "1he Red
White and Blue," ".Star Spangled Ban
ner," and other patriotic son gs were sung
by Misses CHLOE HATCH, FRANK BAR.
THoIoMEw, FRANK M. FULLER, DETT
SMITH and LOUISE BRAcKBILL, and the
singers and the songs were both loudly
cheered.
Capt. SAMUEL was warmly greeted
when he came upon the platform, and
his speech, so proper and pertinent to the
occasion, was enthusiastically received
We give its closing portion:
On the part of the st. Croix Rifles, return
yeu their sincere thanks for the kind welcome
YOU have given us this day, 1 am sure have
expressed the sentiment of every heart in my
Company when say that they will never to
the latest hour of their existence forget the
courtesy which you have shown them to-day.
AS another opportunity may not occur pre-
vious to our departure, we bid you Farewell
May the days be few that shall separate us
We go to swell the Grand Army of America
to wed ourselves to the cause that shall bring
speedy peace, But be the. War short or Hong
the ST. Croix Rifles will never falter till the
last man shall have sealed the Magma Charts
OF our Country with his blood, to make it per-
manent and triumphant over treason. We 60
to:guard your rights and to protect your Liber.
ties, Citizens !-Assoldiers of the Union it viii
be our steady aim to become breastwork be-
tween you and your enemies, the rebels and
the anarchists. While we thank you heartily
for your friendship, and your patriotic Interest
in us, it will be our steady aim TO prove our
selves worthy of all your hopes
After the speaking was over, the St
Croix Rifles, the Light Artillery, the Ia
H.. 81 o;k;-onr c,xr,ad into nroressIon