Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1861-07-31
Fourth Wis. Regiment Correspondence
HARRIsBURG, July 21st, 1861.


DEAR Lutte Upon leaving Buffalo ihe
next place of Importance where the Fourth
Regiment was received with "pomp and cir
cumstance of war" was the beautiful city of
Elmira, in the Empire State. We arrived
here at o'clock at night, and notwithstand:
ing the lateness of the hour there were some
forty or fifty ladies (God bless thom) on the
groundst to receive us with pleasant smiles and
spread before us bountiful supply of refresh
ments. The generous ladies and citizens of
Elmira will forever be remembered in the
prayers of the soldiers in the 4th Wis. Regi-
ment. The soldiers were marched from the
depot to the barracks formerly occupied by the
State troops, where they were received with
kindness and hospitality.
We left Elmira at o'clock in the morning,
and arrived at Williamsport for dinner This is
pleasant little city Of about fifteen thousand
inhabitants, and the kindest people in the
! world comprise the population of the town.
There were ten tables spread-one for each
company-furnished with substantial refresh-
inents interspersed with the choicest delcacies
that the most fasttdious epicurians could de-
sire. / was informed that twelve Regiments
of volunteers have passed through this city,
and every one has received free dinner from
the hands of the good people of Williams
port. They have the tables constantly filed
with provisions. and have committees appoint
ed to superintend the arrangements, and when
a company or regiment arrives they are rush
ed to the tables and no qestions asked as 10
what State they are from, but believing they
are engaged in one common cause and no par
tial favors should be extended. The town can
boast of many handsome ladies who bask in
the sunshine of maiden purity, and no doubt
will some day share the comforts and fortunes
of many gallant soldiers when they return
from the war. Long live the generous citi-
zens and kind ladies of Williamsport. After
giving three rousing cheers for Williamsport
the cars moved on towards the seat Of war.
We arrived in Harrisburg at IL o'clock at
night, where the boys marched from the cars
and took lodgidgs on mother earth about one
mile from the city. In the morning they
pitched their tents, where they will remain UNI
til Monday or Tuesday, from whence they
will proceed to some point in Virginia, via.
Washington city. Col. Paine has gone to
Washington to-day in order to make arrange.
ments for securing Minnie rifles for the Regl-
ment, as the Government attempted to force
upon the soldiers some old muskets they had
in store, but the officers perenptorially re-
fused to receive them for their men. Captain
Hobart, of the Calumet Rifles, said he wo'd
take clubs and march his men into Virginia
and capture his own arms before he would
consent to have his men use such muskets. y
A despatch was received from the Col this
evening that the boys were to receive Minnie
Rifles, which / assure you was highly crafty
ing to them.
Our trip from Racine to Harrisburg was an
exceedingly pleasant one, and no serious acct
denfs Occurred on the route. Lieut.. Tubbs,
of the jefferson City Guards. was knocked off
the cars as we were approaching Buffalo, but
he was not seriously injured, and will remain
in Buffalo until he is able to join the Regi-
| ment
Yesterday there wele four secessionists pass
ed through this place. They were prisoners
taken near Winchester. in Va, and were being
conveyed to Fort Delaware, in this State
Harrisburg is alive with soldiers. 1t is
where the State troops are encamped, and
where troops from other States remain day
or two to be supplied with arms. There are
six Regiments here at present. but among them
all, have seen none that will compare with
the 4th Regiment. 1t is universally acknowl-
edged that the Western troop who have passed
through here average better than troops from
their own State.