Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1861-06-26
Prescott, Wisconsin. June 26, 1851.
Departure of tho Hudson City
Guards. ..Trip to Racine...
incidents, &C., &c.

Frank Steele. destined for Racine, wbero
they are encamped by order of the State
authority.
Many thrilling scenes were witnessed,
as relatives and friends babe the soldiers
''good bye" with heartfelt exclamAtions
of "God be with you," while dearer
words fell from the lips of kind father,
dear mother, loving wife, cherished SIS
ter, or from one dearer yet, who has just
first felt loves great passion. No one
whose heart was not hard as rock and
cold as ice, could witness these parting
scenes without moistening eye and SYM
pathiziug heart. Perhaps for the last
time they were elasping the dear objects
of their life!-perhaps before Autumn
shall brown the fields, son, brother, hus'
band, may fall in the din of battle and
tumult of war.
The boat rings her last bell-the plank
is pulled from shore-the soldiers bend
to catch last glimpse of friends left be-
hind-cheer after cheer goes up from the
crowded shores, and answering responses
arc shouted aud waved till the steamer
is far down the lake. We witnessed, but
can only feebly picture tho intense interest
of. the scene.
Tie Hudson Band, with party of the
citizens accompanied the soldiers IS far rs
La Crosse, and being prevailed on by
STARR of the Star, we saw them through
10 Racine. When we arrived at Sparta
another company joined us, and the two
occupied twelve cars. The trip WIS
pleasant one, and rs the cars went whirl-
ing Y, the farmers ceased their labors to
wave their hats, and their wives and
daughters rushed to the doors to wave
their handkerchiefs and aprons in fond
adisu to the gallant soldiers.
AS the company marched through the
principal streets in the metropolis Of the
State, many compliments were paid to
the Hudson City Guards. They march
ed through Milwaukee. from the La
Crosse to the Chicago depot, Sat. P. NJ,
and took the cars for Racine, at which
place they arrived at dusk in the evening.
They were escorted to the camp ground
and as we approached it, from the sight
we behe,d, We inferred that the 4th regi-
WAS composed partly of Indians, rs each
member OF the six companies there had
n white blanket wrapped around him.
GAS tue shades of night were drawing
nigh" and az some of the companies
might be seen in the dim distance march
ing through grove Of trees, the sight
reminded one more of land Of Red
mel than of an encampment Of American
soldiors. As all of the materials for the
tents had not arrived, the soldiers were
obliged to sleep with mother Earth for
bed and bolster. They accepted their
fate with hearty good will. and fatigued
with ,he travel of the day, before mid
night nearly all were having good time
with old Uncle Morpheus.
The second night after their arrival,
the officers secured rooms for lodging the
soldiers, in the city of Racine. Three
companies were placed in building that
had been occupied as theatre. aid as
SIDNEY and ourself took our lodgings
with the boys, we thought it was one of
the richest plays that had ever been en-
acted in that building. There was the
comedy, the tragedy, the operate, and
music from q hundred voices COM
bined. Bully for Tue bold soger boys"
The night finally passed away, as all 9TH
or nights have, and the next morning at
sunrise found US on the camp ground.
The soldiers besides their uniforms, ARE
furnished with blanket, two pair wool
en- socks, lowell. and every ten men
wash basin. Their food is wholesome
and substantial; for breakfast they have
beef steak or corn beet, good bread, boil
ed potatoes, molasses, pepper and salt,
and coffee with sugar and milk; dinner
ditto; at supper, they have butter, and
Isa in the place of coffee, with the other
enumerated articles. We ate some half
dozen meals with the soldiers, and never
relished food better since we nurscd the
milk of human kindness. To our mind,
one o. the most noticeable features In
soldiers life, is that of a sentinel. When
ON guard they are not allowed to sit down
or hold conversation with any one. except
in the performance of duty. Some amuse
themselves with looking towards camp
and wishing that there was no such thing
"a sentry post or sentinel, then looking