The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1862-05-15
nester from the lss wis. Cavalry
Correspondence of the Telegraph
HEADQUARTERS LIST WIS. CAVALRY,
Cape Girardeau, Mo, May 7, 1867

H1efter from the Est wis. Cavalry
Correspondence of the Telegraph.
HEADQUARTERS LIST WIS. CAVALRY
Cape Girardeau, Mo, May T. 1867.
The following letter from officer in the First
Regiment Wisconsin Cavalry, we'll known in this
vicinity, will read with interest.
Dea, Telegraph:-
Ifyou will not expect any grace Of STYLE or Gle
gance of composition from me, will devote the
few minutes may be able to snatch from various
and exacting duties, to hasty chronicle OF the
condition and prospects of your quondam friends
of tho First Cavalry.
We moved by battalion from st Louis, to this
place, a week ago; and you may rest assured that
the change was welcomed. 1t is the general, and
I think correct opinion, that meaner, muddier,
! fonler place than Benton Barracks, cannot be
found north of Mason & Dixon's Imaginary line.
A night and few hours the following day, brought
the First Battalion TO this post. What we saw OF
| the Mississippi was grand beyond description
Swollen to almost double its ordinary dimensions,
stretching out on either side among orchards, for
ests, hamets; person could only gaze and won
der. his feelings seeking in vain for adequate ex
preston.
located on high bluff, which commands an extern
sive view, up and down the river, as well as across
into the state of Illinois A fort, mounting seven
guns, stands upon the highest point of land, and
looks down some hundreds OBJECT upon the village,
living about it, and the noble river flowing smooth
" nv its foot The view from the parapers OF this
fort about sunset, rivals anything have ever
seen on canvas The population of the town Is
variously stated but judge it to be about 1000.
1t is one of those DID, quiet quaint places that one
would expect to find in Normandy, but which
startle an American traveller. The houses are
mostly of red brick and of the SUI gemer5s style of
Of architecture There is large building occu-
Med as Catholic college. The Catholic Church is
the most noticeable edifce in town. 1t is just such
meeting house as your Imagination would con-
struct, were you set about the task, Immediately
after reading Lonfellows Evangeline-such a
strong SAVIOR of old world education, and new
world lightness and adaptation about it.
This post the rebels regard as important, judging
from the many attempts made to take it, and the
constant menaces they are making at it. But the
town is we'll defended by the four large fortified
tions, mounting several guns. The noted JEFF
|
watching for an opportunity TO swoop down npon
IT, The report is that he hovers still at great
distance, with {, 900 men We do not credit all we
hear. Refugees from the violence and wrong Of
secesonists very numerous here, and still they
crowd in. They tell sad tales of the havoc the reb
els are making in the entire country round about
The land is infested with villanous bands of ma
RAIDERS, who lay homes desolate, driving into ex
! lie or numbering innocent men and women, whose
only crime is loyalty, or even suspected loyalty tc
the good old government of their fathers. 1t is
part of our duty here, TO drive these villains out
and bring back the reign ofpeace and domestic Sc
security And rely upon it, that thing will be done
The lst Wis. Cavalry are as near being special
Providence to this rebel sed region, us God vii
permit to stand upon slave territory. The majesty
of law, and justice will be asserted before many
months expire. Ii is our earnest desire 10 have a
hand in the good work.
! Several detachments of our regt. have been sem
out into the surrounding country. under the gui
dance of Union refugees The LIST Battalion had {
party out few days ago, under Major LaGrange
A considerable force of rebels had formed, and al
| engagement was expected But the towards fec
at the approach of oar men, and hid themselves il
Il swamp. Their leader was closely pursued, anC
in attempting TO swim across a river, sank to ris,
and curse the earth no more. Monday morning
last Major PomsroY went out with portion OF
companies f. 1, and X, and has just this momen
returned He brings the intelligence that the coun
try is .hici with rebels, but he unable to urge
them to make a stand He brought in, however
as the results of bis expedition, rebel prison
ers, 40 head of cattle, 10 horses, 300 bushels o
wheat, carriages, &c, confscated from the rebels
The First Battalion, companies A, G, d, and NJ
go ont somemhere, this week. If they are permit
ted to do any worthy thing, you will hear from us
The health Of the men, generally, is good-muct
improved since leaving st. Louis. All the boys
and neu from Kenosha, are well and in high heart
/ think it would make many friends heart glad
were they to the enthusiasm with which the
men of your county throw themselves into every
act that locks like striking blow at our enemies
In fact when there is any scouting, or outpost du
| ty TO be performed, we have such host of volun
teers, that we have to rough means sometimes
to send parties back TO rest. could say word o
the Salem boys which might well make some IL
that town proud of their relatives. Would thai
such record might be made of more Of the youns
men of Salem.
Col Daniels commands this post, and is admin
istering affairs with moderation and frmness. l
is difficult task, but he will do it and do if well
There is much more could like to say-abou
the hospital at St Louis; rebel prisoners, wounded
and well; the contrabaud that daily throng in upo
MS. &c. but [ am compelled to stop short h
bugle sounds ITO horse One of the two ''gen
tlemen OF COLOR whom have thus far enabled
sachieve their independence" holds my horse 4
the tent door, and must not keep him waiting
not because he is fastidious, or would not be wi
ling to stand there all day holding the animal; bu
because want TO treat him in such way as wi
make him understand how Saceet a thing IL IS to
free" Will write more and better, hope, 500
Yours, Sc, T. j. c.