Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1862-01-15
Better from Col. SVasEaEnTnc3s
Cavalry.
CANT WAsHBUaSE. MILwAUKEE,
January 10, 1862.

gently, 50 as to give good drainage in
wet weather. Near the main entrance,
at the West end, are the quarters OF the
! field and staff officers, facing TO tho East.
| The company quarters are about one hun
| dred rods to the Eastward, facing West,
leaving fine parade ground between
the two. The quarters are CONSTRUCTED
Of pine lumber, boarded upright, and
battened, and are furnished with large
stoves, plenty of woed, and comfortable
bedding. Attached to the company
quarters are bath and laundry rooms,
whore the mon are required to battle and
aud wash their clothes once week.
Each company has mess and cook
room, large brick fireplace for cook
ing, and two rows of tables, with plain
board benches to sit on while eating
Two company cooks are employed at
cost of SO cents per month from each
man; the rations Of company are put
in one mess, and the company sits down
together, in regular boarding house style.
1t Is said that by this plan the men make
considerable saving to increase their
pay roll, while they certainly fare much
better than by dividing into small mes
ses. Altogether, it is " fancy soldering
at Camp Washburne.
Besides the regular company drills, Of
icers and men turn ont every forenoon,
when the weather admits, and spend an
hour in Lieut.. Col. Stevens calisthcnics
and sword exercise-by the former,
learning to develope the whole ply steal
system, giving graceful carriage and
greater power of endurance, and by the
latter Tearing TO use the sword, not as q
badge of office, but as weapon of at
tack and defence. Many Of your read
ers may have heard four Lieut.. COL
He is pronounced by experienced officers
Of the regular army, the best swords
man in America. A giant in physical
proportions; his muscles arc like thews
of steel, and in every movement he is
supple MS tiger-handlinga sword with
equal dexterity in his right or left hand
While the soldier has not yet been found
who can lit him or his horse with bayo-
net or sword, one is almost prepared,
when witnessing the quickness Of bis cuts
and parties, to wonder how even bullet
could reach his body. The men at pres
ent use wooden swords for this exercise.
Formed in rs many ranks as the number
of men require, at just safe distance
from each other, it is an celebrating
spectacle to see so many cutting the air.
Col. stevens sword exercise is very sim
pie, having but few motions, dexterity
being the main thing to acquire. The
Regiment, so far. is composed of an IN
usually intelligent and active class of
men, who give promise Of greet prof
cheney under their splendid Instruction.
In the afternoon there is the usual
dress parade, when the whole Regiment
is formed in line Of two ranks.
There are about 900 men now in camp.
Col. Washburne has the confidence and
affection Of the whole Regiment. 1t is
believed that those sterling qualities that
made him 50 much respected as a practi
cal statesman in Congress, will also turn
to good account in the duties of n militia
ry commander. A Colonel, you know,
must not only be able to appear well at
dress parade, but must exercise father
| ly and watchful care over his officers and
men, and be able to act in all eases with
| great judgment and quick decision. Sa-
gacious, energetic, and true as steel, Col.
Washburne will have the unlimited conf
dence of his officers and men wherever
nc may iead thcm. Although never Gel
ebratcd fer eloquenco rs apubIic speaker.
he has fine voice for commands. 1t
goes, heavy, strong, and clear, to the far
thest man in the line. To-day heard
the first Regimental cheer, Mt dress par
ade, when the Col. announced that he
had got the uniforms. There had been
some sort of rod-tapc delay, which the
Col. had by special effort overcome. lie
had no sooner announced the fact than
up went every hat in the line, and the
field rang with about ntne hundred cheers
for tho Colonel The uniforms will not
only add much to their comfort, but
MALI tho man feel Ike col1iarc