Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1862-10-14
Rsminis:eats Of short residence ii S.;essia

The echo of the booming guns Of Fort
Sumpter, had scarce died away up on the
shores of South Carolina, ere far west
ward among the swamps of I4ouisana, the
beating Of The war drum first sounded on
my ear. One company after another was
organized. Cavalry daily paraded tho
streets, ard even the quiet Of evening was
disturbed by the regular command left,
left, left" ami the measured tread Of infan-
try. Labor is always irksome to southern
ers, and a cause SO glorious, as they deem
ed theirs, could not arouse their patriotism
to the pitch requisite to the endurance of
the wearisome drill during tho heat Of
midday.
The scene is now changed, and there
had been little in the outward surround
ings Of my prairie home, to remind me
that war was abroad in our land, till with
in the past few weeks, when tile hearts Of
our ''braye boys responded so nobly, to
the call for "six hundred thousand more"
and from "dewey morn till eyen," the beat
ing Of the drum has told us, we had on
our own soil, one hundred men, all loyal
brave and true allow me for moment
to contrast the departure Of two comp.i-
MES, The Blakes Prairie Rangers" and
"Floyd Guards" This company with
few exceptions was composed Of tho poorer
class of whites, whose limited knowledge,
compelled them to adopt the opinion Of
others. OF fighting nature, they were
ready to fight, but who orwhat they hard
Iy knew. True they were full OF faith
and defiance. Faith in their individual
ability to whip any five Yankees, and de-
fance Of the laws of tfe government,
which had given them all the privileges
they ever had enjoyed.
On the part Of the politicians, there
was manifested great unwillingness to
Ter their sons enter the ranks. They did
not wish to risk their handsome, genteel,
educated young fello S, against gang Of
low born Yankees, not WORTH the killing,
Yet instructed how to kill, to the best ad-
vantage. Their universal wish was peace
able secession, vet determined not to 90
peaceabl under the dominion Of elm
coin Government" Speeches were made
and they could loudly utter to Others the
battle cry, and rally around their standard,
the young, The thoughtiess, aud the ignor-
ant, while in tEeir hearts they despised
them, and after their departure, exhausted
their l1nd Of wit and sarcasm, on the APP
pearance Of those same fellows whom they
bad just applauded for their solliery bear
ing patriotism and uneducated courage
Que type of the treachery Of the Southern
heart. Before they left, prayer was Of
fered, that "God would give to them the
victory" and then ree.ing up to their
friends, they would, with tobacco stained
lips, and whisky scorclled breaths, attempt
to bid the farewell. Oar own company is
composed mostly of our sturdy farmer
boys, who voluntarily turned back from
the plough, and graSped the nusket, hop
ing to avenge the death Of many a friend,
who bad nobly gone before. There was
also many father who was willing TO
leave behind leasapt home, wife and
children dear, perchance never to return,
but to lay down his life for theirs, and free
dom's sake. In our thoughts only, can
we follow them through tho sicissitude of
camp life, the f.ree conflict on the Battle
field, or the wearisome hour in the hospit-
al but may the anxious farewell Of an af-
fectionate wife, the parting blessing Of
kind parents, or the last adieu Of beloved
sister or friend, prove a talisman in the
hour of temptation, while the love OF
country, will beacon light, reckoning them
on to eds Of valor and of victory.
The long line Of carriages accompanying
the company to the nearest railroad sta
ton, attested the atfectionate regard Of
their relations and friends, and the numer-
ons addresses Of all ages, those Of their
number to the grey haired men, who en-
braced the whole company, in bis parting
blessings To his two sons, were faithful wit
nesses Of the general sacrifice being made
10 save our country. Truly the time has
come when
ave i've Ia deeds not wordsin tho'ts not breaIhe,
In feeling not in figures dial;
We should not count time BY heart thr 'os ne most
WHO thinks most-ess the roblestacis the best"
FRIEND TO voLuNrEERs.