Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1862-06-04
CAMP ORREsPONDENCE.
FROM THE TWELFTH REGIMENT
FoRr Riley, Kan, MAY 10, 1862.

FoRr RILEY, Kan, May 10, 1862.
Friend Lute:-Mutability is stamped
upon all things, but it is much to he
doubted if anything is more subject to
change than the destination OF the troops
in Kansas. First, we were to form n
part of what was familiarly known AS
Jim Lanes Expedition, and sent to Leav-
enworth; then we were to re-enforce Gen.
Curtis in Arkansas, and marched to
Fort Scott; next we were to 90 to New
Mexico, and were tramped back to Law
renee, there 100 miles west to Fo.t Riley,
where we have been for the past three
weeks, making preparations for the trip,
and expecting to SET out within the pres
cnt week; and finally, yesterday we re
ceiyed orders to proceed to Tennessee,
via Leayenworth. We are to start to-
morrow.
Probably majority prefer our present
destination to 4 trip across tne plains. 1t
certainly opens nearer prospect Of par
ticipation in the stirring scenes of war.
Hitherto we have experienced much of
the pomp, ETC., but little of the cjrcuoa-
stance Of war.
Nothing of importance has occurred
since our arrival here. The general
health of the troops is good. Our es,
Unable young friend, Orlando Cleveland,
has boea dangerously i'll, bu, I am glad
to say is now improving.
A member of Company L, was nearly
'niei, few nights since, in quarrel with
some Of the Kansas LIST. He was thrown
into the river as dead, but succeeded in
getting ashore and into camp, and is
now about again. Not so we'll Jared his
assaiIan.s. 1t was reported that two
were Killed This they deny, but own
that two were badly cut up, and that one
is still missing. The cause was whiskey.
The next night Capt. Maxson and twenty
men, of whom the writer was one, were
detailed to break up the liquor hole !,
where the affair occurred We split a
few gallons of whiskey, took eight SOL
dicrs and two citizens prisoners, and re-
turned at daylight. During the day the
Captain hunted up another deposit of
whiskey, which shared like fate.
The Sth Wisconsin Battery, Capt.
Carpenter, arrived here few days ago,
and like us will take the back track 1t
is splendidy equipped. The guns were
captured at Fort Donelson, and are still
stained with the blood Of the rebels.
The readers of the Journal are doubt
less informed, ere this, of the change of
officers in Company a; viz: that Lieut..
Maxson has become our captain; Lieut..
Hoyt, Tst lieutenant of Company |; Ord.
Higbee, ID lieutenant of Company B;
ID Lieut.. Lusk, of Company B, is the LIST
lieutenant Of Company a; Sergt. Maj.
Reynolds, 81 lieutenant; aud G. Allen,
Orderly Sergeant. The writer is again
a member of Company A. The boys
deeply regret to lose Lieut.. Hoyt. BY
his gentlemanlv conduct, and soldierly
qualities, he has won the respect and es-
TEEN of the whole company. Bat al
ready Lieut. Lusk has gained the conf
dcnce of the entire company, thereby
disprovng the idea somewhat current
in your vicinity, that Company A is
naturally mutinous.
Capt. Maxson had obtained consent to
90 home on short furlough, and was
preparing to leave this afternoon, but
learning from Gen. Mitchell that we were
TO be on the Tennessee River in ~ days,
and probably in battle within 90. he
generously yielded his own desires to his
sense Of duty to his company and country.
If it shall be our fortune to meet the en-
envy in Tennessee or Kentucky, believe
me, you shall hear good report of
Company A, and | think, also, the
whole regiment. As I write, I hear the
solemn notes of the 18th Wis. Band. A
funeral procession is passing, and anoth-
or soldier has gone to his last rest. The
18Th have lost about 5 per cent of its
number since arriving in K.nsss. D.