Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1862-01-03
Editorial Correspondence.
SULPHUR SPRINGS, Mo.
Dec. Goth, 1861.

/ reached this place yesterday where,
as you are already aware, the Eighth and
Eleventh Regiments of Wisconsin volun-
teers are at present encamped-or rather
parts of them. force companies of each are
now stationed along down tie read be-
tween here and Pilot Knob guarding
bridges and otherwise looking after the
interests of Uncle Sam. The usual COM
pliment of men, therefore is not here and
neither regiment presents the fine and full
appearance to which it generally lays
claim. The camping ground is pleasantly
located, on spot of ground admirably fit
ted for such purpose, though the hills
surrounding it are very high and the coun-
try on the whole decidedly rough and
hard. The two regiments are near each
other and both occupy the same ground
for their parades, which cannot well be
surpassed in point Of beauty fer that pur-
pose. Each regiment has dress parade
every day and took occasion to witness
those that have taken place since | got
here. |, Of course W uld not draw any
invidious distinctions, if such could BIZ
made, between the tive regiments, as to
their proficiency in going through the evo-
lutions belonging to their paradss / may
say, however, without intending or giving
any offence. that the Eleventh makes the
best personal appearance The clothing
of the Eighth is not as good as tina. of
the Eleventh, and never was, besides which
the former has been in the service much
longer than the latter and the ordinary
wear and tear of their clothing has had a
damaging effect upon it, and in many ca
ses that have noticed, nearly ruined it.
The fact is, some of the men would not be
willing to be seen in the drawing room,
nor would that DO proper place for them,
particularly in company wherein modes
ty was reigning virtue. The men are
promised new clothes soon, however, by
1.-The powers that be, and it is to be hoped
that they may not be disappointed in their
expectations. They need relief in this re-
spect at once, not only as a matter OF
locks but fer their personal comfort also.
Those whose business it is to look after
the matter ought not to neglect the dis
charge of this most important duty to their
men without delay.
The only thing unusual that has trans
pired since | arrived here was the burial
yesterday of one of the men of tho Elev.
enth named Tollard, of Go. G., who was
shot night or two before by one of the
plckets. The ceremony was quite impo.
sing and attended by all the companies in
the regiment and a number of outsiders
who happened to be there in camp. Rev.
MIR. Br.tton, the chaplain, of Madison,
was the officiating clergyman. neglected
to mention that the cause of the shooting
was the neglect of Pollard to give the
picket the proper countersign, when halt
ed, either through ignorance CT what 1t
was, or an indispssitlon to comply with
the regulations of the service. In either
event, the picket could do no less than he
did, after giving the unfortunate soldier an
opportunity to make himself known; and
he Is acquitted by all from any blame in
the matter. Even the man whom he was
compelled to deal thus summariy with,
who lived some twelve hours after he was
shot, acknowledged his own inliscretion and
justified the action of the picket. 1t seems
to a civilian, who does not look at the
matter in military aspect. that it is rath
er hard to thus shoot down fellow sol
der, who perhaps may be ono of bis owr
mess or most intimate friend Lut in wal
there is sternness and rigor, or should
be, that overlooks all squeamishness or
the score | have mentioned. The first re-
quirement, and best qualification of gooG
soldier is faithfulness to his duty, letting
consequences take care of themselves.
There arc in the guard house of the
Eighth couple rebel prisoners who two
or three days ago came and surrendered
themselves to the authorities | saw them
yesterday. They have been with Jeff
Thompson until within tho lst ten days
and report dcplorable state of things as
existing IN that branch of the rebel army
to which they belonged. They got fur
Tough of tive weeks to return home, about
seven miles from here, but have since
concluded to no longer do service with the
"Secesh." They had no uniforms, and
said they never had been paid any money
for their services which commence the
first of September The men according tc
their accounts, and those Of the Eighth
Wisconsin Boys who met the regiment te
which these two belonged, at Frederick
town, are a fair sample of jeff Thomp.
sons forces. If so, it is not matter fol
wonderment that the fight at the place
just mentioned resulted as it did in the