Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1861-04-25
MONDAY Exeroises at Bosoobel.

including Tho volunteers. The day was
warm and fine. War WAS the subject Of
interest to all, and business subordinate to
everything; eFen dinners and refreshments
were neglected. The center Of masses was
around and about the Barnett House.
The balcony next door south, over Coats
and Smiths store, was the place chosen for
speaking and for announcing business
The Lancaster Cornet Band was present,
and on all proper occasions interluded their
sweetest strains of patriotic music. Some
Of the members of this Band having enlist
ed, and this being their parting concert,
their music was more stirring than any we
ever heard from them.
There were some difficulties 10 the way
of organizing, and various i'll and almost
unpleasant personal feelings between vol
untesys. These had to be met and com
promised or explained before companies
could properly organize. All hands joined
in the good work Of restoring harmony.
1t was found that the troubles we're acci-
dental and not designed, after which they
were soon settled to the satisfaction to all.
Mr.. BRIrros appeared on the balcony
and asked to be heard; bis explanation
of the misunderstanding was listened to
with attention. and bis patriotic remarks
were received with cheers. Britten is an
earnest man and filed with true spirit, and
the audience could see that he meant right,
whatever turn affairs had taken. He was
followed by Mr.. Mckee with further ex-
plantations which brought matters about
square. McKees voice. like that Of John
Randolph's. is loud and shrill, resembling a
sort Of compromise between the French
horn and steam whistle; and on this occa-
sion it was fsirly tested, by steam whistle
attached to the engine of gravel train
which passed by during one Of his loud
perorations. The whistle whistled I'M
mercifplly and Mckee bad to pause, and
one ofohis chief flights was lost forever.
But the patriotic sparks from this glowing
speech so excited citizens and soldiers that
they frequently broke by combustion into
loud and long huzzas. At the close Of
his remarks Britten and Mckee met and
amidst cheers and Hail Columbia from the
Band they clasped hands. and for them
selves and the volunteers of Old Grant,
they swore friendship and unity during the
war and forever.
Thcreupon, the men composing the first
Company formed in Grant, met in rank and
file and proceeded to elect officers and or
asuize. d. Mckee was elected Captain;
G. x. Dean, Lieutenant: William Booth,
Ensign. Captain Mckee then appointed
Richard Carrier as Sergeant, to assist in
perfecting thu roll. Thereupon, volunteers
answered to the roll call from Boscobcl,
Beetown, Lancaster, Potosi. Taftcn, Cass-
vile snd other parts, to the number Of ".
Edward Lowry Esq, was then called !;
his charge to the officers and men to stand
by the honor of old Grant and their cora-
try's flag. and bis appeal to all who do not
enlist to do their duty in supporting the
families of absent soldiers. was able. well
placed and good lesson. not soon to be
forgotten. MB. Lowry then introduced
Lieut.. Calls to the people.
Lieutenant John B. Calls. then present
ed Capt. David Mckee with his Sword.
with some very appropriate remarks. "a fol-
lows:
eGe1tlenen and Fellow Citizens-I
was born IN Southern State, and it must
not seenao strange to you that | manifest
deep regret and emotion, when | see noble
hearted young men enlisted in cause only
second to that for which our forefathers Of
the revolution laid down their noble lives.
We see before us one of the most inglori-
Gus, unrighteous and unprovoked civil wars
that the world ever knew, which has been
forced upon unsuspec;ing people by the
sefishness of Traitors, the advocates Of hu-
man bondage and thirsty hounds, thirsting
for innocent blood. Eu. notwithstanding
feelings of emotion which heave the breast
Of every Union loving Southern or North
ern man, while viewing the spectacle as it
looms up before US in its hideous form, /
must say for one, that were it not for my
business and domestic relations, could not
be restrained from full participation in
the conflict, hand in hand with you my
friends and neighbors; and will here say
that any future call shall meet with hearty
rsspsnse from me, no matter what the cir
cumslances may be.
CAPyAIN DAVID MCKEE, allow me 10
have the honor OF presenting you with my
sword and bet, as token Of respect for
you personally. and for the noble cause 10
which you are enlisted. and in presenting