Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1863-07-22
For the Tribune.
A Trip through Washington and Dodge
Counties
For the Tribune

FRIEND BLISS Quite period has in
tervened since last wrote you and in
deed quite change has come over our
peaceful Camp dreams. Then we were
walled in by an impossible barrier Of
glittering bayonets; but at present we
are breathing the purest atmosphere of a
country life, guarding, by way of variety
the whiskey shops and peanut stands of
Hartford. ALAS how things have chang
ed, etc. The life of a soldier is an hon
orable one. C)
On the 2lst of june 1868, (long to be
remembered) at the dead hour of night,
as the novelist would have it, we "slung
knapsacks," placed forty rounds of cat
ridges in our boxes, three days rations in
our haversacks, and we were ready for n
marck into the benighted Counties of
Washington and Dodge.
In compliance with previous orders, at
the appointed time we took the train going
East, and arrived at the city of "Bricks"
the following morning between the hours
of six aud seven o'clock. Here various
conjectures were INDUCED in but as the
day advanced we learned that we were to
leave on the /. o clock train, which we
did. arriving at the village OF Hartford
Washington Co, about 6 o clock p M
We were informed that Headquarters
would be established at this point, and
that our days march was over, so we
forthwith set about making our new quar-
ters comfortable, which had been selected
by our acting Quartermaster Our quar-
ters being horse stable, we had q pro-
found horse sleep'-standing and lying
by turns
As the dawn of morn approached the
horizon, the sound of the we'll known drum
awoke us to renewed life and new scenes
After consultation had gone through with
by the officers, we were marshaled togeth-
er, and fifty heroic sturdy fellows of the
Burton Guards were chosen from the
ranks, and informed that their destina-
tion was Lebanon, Dodge Co, Wis. Tn
expectedly, but nevertheless very agree
ably; teams arrived in town and soon we
learned that they were to convey US to
our destination, which they did, arriving
!, the same day about o clock p IN. The
teams were provided by the citizens of
Lebanon We were distributed in squads
among the most enterprising of these cit
liens, your humble corresI Ondent 'op-
ping at the residence of JoHN DoUGLAs,
L, Esq, the enrolling officer who was dast-
ardly shot by some cowardly sneak. Mr.,
Douglas is a gentleman beloved by all who
know him, and has been for the last eight
years Chairman of the Board of his own
town Indeed finer man is seldom met
with.
a good nights rest being enjoyed by
our little band, the following morning
ushered in many new scenes, strange and
alarming stories 1t was intimated that
we were close on the vicinity of German
"Copperheadism eight hundred strong
armed to the teeth-bound to resist the
enrolment-fght till the last man expired
= all this and more flew from mouth to
mouth until we universally began to be
lieve its reality, and think we had form
idable foe to combat with What was to
be done was n question of moment There
was only fifty of our noble fellows, al
tod, yc. We felt confident we could whip
a host of these reptiles. After due delIb-
Grafton IL was concluded to send out the
enrolling officers, escorted by squads, SIX
men to each squad each squad comman-
ded by non commissioned officer, which
was done. Deep apprehension was felt
for their personal safety, but as the man
tie of darkness fell over all nature, the
brave little crew returned well pleased
with their day 5 doings, laughing at the
fright six of Uncle Sans glittering bayo-
nets caused among Il e unterrIfied eight
hundred Each days labor wa s prosecu-
ted with the utmost vigilance till every
town not enrolled had been completed
yet not over six men accompanied ANY
one enrolling officer What bugbear is
Copperheadism.
If am allowed to Judge, the mass of
the people are far from being disloyal |
, vii admit that party leaders instil treas
enable doctrings among portion of them !;
yet for all this, | arn led to believe when
left to their second sober thoughts that
they are all loyal a, heart. | SPEAK mere
. ly for those with whom | have been, and
| declare they are the most patriotic class
OF individuals that | have had the pleas
ure of coming in contact with Every
, soldier in the Burton Guards were looked
, upon with the deepest respect, and treat
ed in accordance, better, | assert, than
ever they were since they donned the
"Blue Uniform" Full demonstrations of
, what | say were served up to them in the
. shape of rich and abundant suppers, got
ten up by Republicans and Democrats
alike We attended four in the short
: space of a week. They were served up
: at the residences of the following named
gentlemen Messrs Paterson(Sen. and
Jun Matinson and Harris At the resi-
idence of Messrs. Paterson, (Sen., J and
Matlnson, there was good music in attend
ance, and the light fantastic toe was trip
| ped with gusto beyond credence The
time enjoyed in Lebanon will ever be re
membered as being one of the brightest
periods of their lives Unlimited thanks
are due them, and we cordially unite in
reciprocating the many kind acts received
, at their hands. Here allow me to state,
that we were, by special invitation, pres
ent at a Sabbath School Celebration in
Neosha, given by the various School Dis
| ,ricts of that vicinity HOSP italities were
bountifully showered upon us where ever
we went Notice of our departure being
. ma e known TO the citizens of Lebanon,
they again turned out with their teams.
and conveyed US back to Hartford where
| we now remain In stdtu quo.
, The 4th has come and gone, nothing
! momentous having occErred to disturb the
time honored rite. A large portion of our
men spent their 4th in Rubicon. where
understand they enjoyed themselves pro
, fusely. July eth the patriotic citizens Of
Hartford got up public dinner especial
" for the soldiers. Not being in attend =
ance | cannot speak from experience, but
/ have il from reliable source that Il was