, 1863-05-25
OUR WISCONSIN LETTER,
The Old Capitol Coming Doyyn-Re:ni-
Hieccncck Of Its E1isrory-Ncxy Proofs
OF u isc0nstn Talor-Rtcny,
lFrom Our Own Correspondent
MADISON, Wis, M.y p, 1868.

fFrom Our Own Correspondent
MADISON, Wis, A.y =, 1868.
THE OLD CAPITOL.
The demolition Of the old Capitol-to make
room for the north transverse wing Of the new
building, and the foundation of all the rest
proceeds apace. The windows, doors, wood
work and some OF the partitions are already
taken out, the tin stripped from the dome,
and the removal Of the roof begun. The con-
tractors agree to remove the old building and
all the rubbish for what materials they can
save out Of it. They struck quite on unex-
pccted lead the other day, in the shape of near,
ly 2,6c0 pounds Of leaden weights to the win
dows, worth nice little sum now, compared
with their value when put In.
"REMINISCENCES.
Though 4 much larger and more comely
building takes the place Of the old Capitol,
the old settlers view .its passing away with a
feeling Of sadness, identified as It IL With the
history Of Wisconsin for years before It was O
State. The old building was erected at tue
expense of Uncle Sam, and the contractors,
in those days, blcd him very much as they do
now. It vas commenced in 1887, the corner
stone having been laid on the It'll of july,
when but a small crowd, and that nearly made
up Of aboziginies, were present to witncss,thc
ceremonies. The building was first occupied
By the Territorial Legislature in the winter of
lSSs. It was not fully completed for some
years after, and good deal more than double
the first Congressional appropriation Of
So 600 was exhausted In its construction,
Its oldwa have witnessed strangely diverse
scenes. Several Territorial Legislatures, two
Constitutional Conventions, and any number
of rcgul1r and extra sessions Of the State Leg
islature have met within it. The Assembly
last occupied it in 1865, and the Senate in 1867,
Political conventions, and State and local
gatherings of all sorts have met In its cham
hers. Sabbath Schools, protracted meetings,
balls and bacchlnalian reyels hare been held
there. 1t was the scene Of the murder in the
the Council Room, in 1s41, Of Charles c. 2.
Arndt By j. T. Fincy, and Of the ancient
nore Dodge and Doty; Of The coalition Of the
Abolition and Democratic parties on q strong
y nnti-slaSery platform in 1919; Of the excii-
ing contest for the Govcrnorship between
Bashio5d and barstow; Of the Lacrosse Land
ti"rs Of ISIS OF stealing, log rolling aud
swiudsiIE: OF investigations without num-
bcr, and of thu enactment Of Laws which hive
had much to do IN shaping the Character of
Luz State. But soon VIC shall see it no moro.
Well wcu1d it he for some OF those who hare
been actors in tie scenes which have trans
pired beneath its roof if they could pass ont
If eXlst.ncc with It.
WISCONSIN vA1oR.
In the recent battles in Virginia and in Mis-
s!ssirpi 30 far as we can learn, Wisconsin
troops hare well maintained their excellent
reputation for bravery and endurance Our
and e. Ef,fI artn mt,
Tered severely in the battles under Hooker.
There WAS strange injustice done our gallant
hlih regiment in giving TO others tho glory
OF ssoruaing and Arst entering the rebel works
on the hcights Of Fredericksburg. At LAST it
is receiving due credit. The twenty sixth,
thc Stigma which hasty reporters attached to
the 1llh Corps. Officers of this State, not
Germans, who witnessed their fighting, say
tha' greater injustice wns never done than by
fought nit sigcl. They stub stubporniy I re- re-.
sisted the overwhelming rebel onset, and
" ltn the horses were shot down from the bat
tef1es which had been ahloto do nothing, forty
or ttty mon would attach themselves to q
gun and drag it away, while Others, stripped
to the waist ard covered with blood. With
their bayonets and dubbed muskets. beat off |
the rebels who sought to take them.
Ihr old Iron Brigade suffered little, thouch
it ossc won rsS IN tEs 8 r;rxn, aiers ws5S so eny e
as the Telegraph had Il, A gentleman who
left Falmouth Friday, says the most severely
wounded were still there or at Aqaia Greek.
ITEMS.
Some Of our quiet Wisconsin Indians Of the
Pottawottan,ie, Chippewa, Ottawa and other
tribes have been greatly alarmed By stories
Il At they as we'll a. the Minnesota Sioux, wero
to be sent up the Missouri. They came down
to SEQ tbs Governor about It aud had THUR
fe4rs o1lased
;. 4 new Express arrangement for this State,
la1cly made, does not GiYe unbounded satls,