Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1862-02-26
Camp CORE spOndence.
WESTON, Mo-, Feb. 10, 1876:

like myself, had been left Denlnd SICK, L
will now endeavor to resume my neg
Iected correspondence.
We met with an accident on the way,
few miles this side the Mississippi River,
by which the engine was thrown down
an embankment twenty-five or thirty
feet, and badly broken up. The engin-
eer bad one leg very badly crush ed be-
meath the engine. Another train came
to our relief, and we arrived at our des-
tination without farther casualty.
We found Company A domiciled in a
diIapidated brick church, appropriating
the pews for sleeping places-not the
first time thus used, I dare say. All the
other churches in the place, except the
Catholic, have been put to a similar use.
IT is sad, that the stern necessities of
war should deprive people of their
places of worship. But better thus than
to subject our soldiers to greater expos
ure.
There are, ut present, about sixty in
the hospital here, of whom twelve belong
to Company A. The building used for
q hospital was formerly the Female
Union College. It occupies an elevated
position, and commands fine view Of
the town and surrounding country, and
is admirably adapted for its present use.
Weston is town that once might
have contained from 5000 to 5000 resi-
dents. Before the union forces were
stationed here it was stronghold of Sc
ccssion, and many of tho union men
were compelled to flee with their fami-
lies for their lives. Now affairs are re-
versed, and the secesh must slope or lie
Iow. In some places in Missouri the
population has thus shifted several times.
These alternating movements heard not
very unaptly compared to steamboat
passing down the river towards flock
of ducks. The ducks rise, fly up stream
a little way, and alight behind the
steamer. The ducks are not hurt, Meth
er is the steamer.
The slaves here have keen interest
in passing events, and imagine that it IS
a war for their emancipation. In con-
frmation | will mention little anecdote
related to me by one of the Company A
boys:-
He was standing on guard in some
part of the city in the evening, when
young colored girl approached him and
asked if he was fond of apples, at the
Same time extending to him handful of
fine ones. OF course he replied in the
affirmative, and took the gift. Said she:
l." Got any news from the war; Hears
Ole Beauregard's got cleaned out"
"Oh no! guess not; but our troops
have whipped the rebels in Kentucky,
and killed Gen. Zollicofer."
40 bress de Lord l knew de Lord,
was on our side. Ole Missus, who jus
secesh to de backbone, she say she las
no tendance now 'eept in Price She
hope Price will come. Says 1: Missus,
Price mighty poor 'pendance. If he
come hear the Yankees will eat him up,
jus like you eat dat apple dar.'
The slaves are very communicative, if
you can get them one side, where they
may be assured that they are not watch
ed. The country here is still strongly
secesh. Our soldiers are cordially re-
ceivcd at their houses, presented with
apples and other vegetables, and fire.
quently solicited to stay and eat with
them. When they are known to be
rebels, they are often kindly invited to
gratuitously part with sundry fat turkies,
chickens, pigs, guinea fowls, etc. They,
for the most part, graciously comply,
doubtless thinking it rather a fowl pro-
ceeding. 1-1 $50.
Our boys have a mighty taking way
with them, and arc seldom without some
of the above mentioned delicacies for
dinner. If asked by some curious indi-
vidual how they obtained them, they
gravely reply: We draUed them."
Sometimes they go in the night, think
ing that darkness facilitates their opera
tons. Gen. Hunter has issued an order
against such excursions. "Get all out of
the rebels you can," | say, and have
many sympathizers.
1t is now given out that we shall move
to Leavenworth City within two or three
days. The 9th and 18th Wisconsin have
already moved forward to Fort Scott,
$50 miles south. 1t is not expected that
our expedition will start before the LIST of
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