Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1862-04-02


the dreariness of the picture that had no
light to relieve its shades. The country
we passed over that day was the scene OF
John Browns efforts in behalf of free
dom in Kansas. Ossawatomis takes its
name from the rivers Usage and Potta-
wattomis, between which It is laid out.
Distance that day II miles.
At daylight Wednesday morning we
were again on our way again, and rs we
wound through the bottoms of the Pot
tawattcmio we talked of slavery and Old
John Brown. The boys seemed to be
in good spirits, and song and shout re-
sounded along the ranks; but when we
reached the high prairie, and the cold
blasts swept Us, the men became silent.
One by one they fell out CT the ranks,
too, until half of the regiment were lag
ging behind. Several of them laid their
guns on the wagons, and cut canes by
the streams to facilitate their progress.
The country we passed over is compare
lively unnhabited. Streams of water
are Numerous along the line of this days
march, and the soil appears to ba very
productive. Corn seems to be the prin-
cipal crop, but the settlers say that it is
well adapted to the raising of small
grain. Tobacco and hemp are also rails
ed here, and some of our boys obtained
specimens of cotton. This section must,
at no distant day, become settled and
improved. = e7 aj Fr
At Big Sugar Greek we found the
Kansas 1st encamped for the night.
They were on their way from Lawrence
to Fort Scott. I stopped with them a
couple of hours, shared their bread and
beet, talked with them Of Springfield,
PepinsyilIe, Sigel, Lane, and Price.
They are wild, reckless, brave set of
fellows, and carry many scar as me-
nento Of the field where Lyon Tell. /
left them about sundown, and hurrying
forward three or four miles, found the
l2th encampsd on Little Sugar Greek.
Distance 81 miles.
On Thursday there was less variety
to the scenery than on previous days.
The prairies were less rolling, and on ev
cry side nothing was to be seen but the
bare ground and the sky, and when We
had reached the highest swell Of ground
that rolled before us, there was nothing
to be seen but other rolls and swells be-
yond, extending as far as the oye could
reach in the dim perspective. A little
after nom we crossed the Maple River,
ut Napoleon, aud encamped mile be-
yond TO rest, wash, and clean our accou-
terinent-. This day was more pleasant
than the former ones, and the boys
ceased their jokes about going South to
Greenland and down to Fort Scott
for sleigh ride" Distance that day,
II miles.
On Friday morning we were but Il
miles from Fort Scott, and took our
time to make the march; still there
were about the usual number of weary,
foot sore cues who fell behind. The
country passed over that day was beau
tiful rolling prairie, with timber and
streams of water. From some of the
highest swels the view seems absolutely
boundless.
We reached Fort Scott little pas.
noon. 1t is situated on a stream, the
Maumeton, whose bright waters resem-
bic, moro than any other | have seen,
The crystal streams of the North west.
There IRE many beautiful landscapes here,
and more variety of scenery than ! have
found anywhere since | left Wisconsin.
The Kansas 1st arrived at the same time
with the 18th. We are encamped near
the 18th Wis.,. and expect the 9th to day
Saturday. The two companies of our
regiment who went to Kansas City ar
rived last night about dark.
There is no fort here. There arc
stone barracks built around a square.
On hill, commanding the town, is
small earthwork, and another near the
town, commanding the road from the
south. These were built last summer by
Gen. Lane. 1t is probable that we shall
not be permitted to stay here long, but
will be marched south as soon rs posi-
BILE. Company A has, at this place, ~
men rank and file. They are generally
in good health and spirits. We left none
on the road but Hyatt, who was acct
dentally wounded seven miles out of
Leavenworth. lie came on to-day with
the I'd Ohio Cavalry. CoMsrocK.