Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1863-05-12
Letter from the 9Th Wisconsin.
CAMP NEAR BELLE PLAIN, !,


Mr.. EDITOR: Imagining few thoughts,
penned in haste, from this section Of the
world, will prove acceptable to the Herald
and not altogether Objectionable to its read
ers, ! take this space Of time to introduce
myself:
Your paper is circulated throughout the
different regiments of our brigade and my
endeayor 10 find the name of the 9th no.
ticed in its columns was without success
We MORT no such treatment, and if the
best of writers harden their hearts SO much
as to leave us yelled in darkness, with our
name cancelled, our condition a mystery
and our whereabouts, also, our welfare, I'M
known, surely the poorest with the pen)
may attempt to enlighten the world as re-
CARDS the prosperity Of our "Iron Brigade"
even should he fail in his undertaking.
The day is dark and gloomy, black
clouds curtain the sky while the rain pours
down in torrents making music for the
soldiers with its incessant tapping on our
roots. You might naturally suppose that
we long for home. Your supposition is
correct; at the same time, never shall re-
greet the date nor length Of our enlist
ment. We often cas; lingering thought
toward rhe land Of our nativity and employ
the feeting moments to the best advantage
of PASSING away long weeks, months and
years. Some are AMUSING themselves at
social game Of "Seven up" some are read
ing the works of Scott, volume entitled
"Marion aud His Men" "The white Chiefs
Bride" and other novels. Occasionally
one may be found sketching the future
in dreanland, others may be heard debat
ing on subjects relative to copperheads
aud knights of the Golden Circle, but,
perchauce some friend Of the North should
visit us in our logshanties be might
behold one, or more corresponding with
County papers or conyersing through the
nstrumentaity of the pen, with parents,
ibrothers and sisters by some home fireside.
These, with many other employments, oc-
cupy our time, leaving no time for "the
blues" which, otherwise, would prove a
constant visitor
You have, no doubt, ere this, heard of
the command of Hooker, General worthy
of the responsibility resting upon him. We
can do no more than show, by our future
operations, how proud we are Of having
such leader. With God to protect, and
Hooker to command We will submit to the
worst.
While writing | shall commit no impro-
pr;ety in mentioning to you our prepare
ton for an important, and, trust, vic
torious, movement against the enemy. A
sudden change of the weather has already
delayed us, and may hold us in check for
several days. | hope the day is not far
distant, wherein the South shall receive
their full share Of the gratitude we owe
them and justice prove itself in our favor.
Before closing, allow me 10 add that
eight days rations have been dealt Out, to
be carried on the march, three 10 hages-
sacks and five in knapsacks- Soldiers think
it quite load to back, still, we are willing
TO become "Pack Mules" for a season,
trusting by 50 doing to cause sGdden
termination of this cursed rebellion. We
will then be free. The wrongs perpetraled
On account Of slavery will be extiDgushed
and with it will be turned into darkness
that feeling which caused the first fire on
Ft. Sumpter. With me, nothing ever
grows old il memory and trust, ere this
year shall be numbered with the past, the
alag of our Union" will float DER land
and sea, proudly as it waves over our bear
err. Yours truly. LUKE.