Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1863-01-14


December 26, 1862
Dear Lite 1t is such long time since ]
have heard from you your paper that
/ begin TO think you have nearly forgotten
the Old Parrot = SO l propose to drop you
fsw lines by way Of remembrance.
Old Co. G, and in fact, the whole Wis. 4th.
pay more for papers and milk than any other
Rcgt; the latter is fce cents a pint-and
that well watcred-and the New Orleans dali
lies are five cents apiece, and for New York
papers we pay fifteen cents.
Our Rsg't have gone TO Baton Rogne again;
left about a week ago, all except our Co, g.
being detached to work heavy battery
of nine guns stationed on the paraltt So
Several eastern Regis have lately come ca
here--twO or thrse from Connecticut. We
call them Nutmega." Western men have
decided antipathy against eastern troops;
bat one thing that helps 10 account for it is
those that are here are decidedly "verdant,"
having never BEEN "out before They are
nine months men, (anl | should Judge that
they were not more than seven months men at
first, J and they have remained at home about
four months of thai, and they never had any
arms until they arrived here SO they have
FIVE months more TO serve.aIrd the officers nor
men know next to ohing about the first ru-
diments of soldiery. They ne yer would have
come only for the draft, so the towns offered
! a bounty of from two to four dollars apiece.
and now all they fear is that hot weather will
come on before their time is out, aud make it
unhealthy for them. 1t is amusing to see our
bows come it over them. They fling out
guard all around their camp, as we'll as ours.
asd undertake to keep US in but last night
being Christmas. just aver the Ines there was
niger dance in full blast. and our boys
couldn't afford to let it slip but the night be-
ing dark, and the Sentinels such poer marks
men the DO thought they might accidcn-
tally Lt some of them, so they concluded not
to take the risk but resolved on having the
" countersign,' they laid plan to get it. and
all went out on it. The utmegs" "smelt
raj" and in the course of the night changed
it, but our boys anticipated them, and got
that also, and came in again all right. could
fill sheet with such little kinks, but it wo'd
be uninteresting. Suffice it to say, soldier
ing is like every other branch of business-it
takes while TO get the hang of it--but
think our boys have shown themselves pretty
apt scholars I think our River Falls boys
are about as sharp as they make.
II
and Hank Nichols, are all decidedly popular.
don't wish to be egotistical but I never
knew the boys half SIS well until / got
quainted with them in the army. The best
of feelings prevail among them, and / should
feel like losing brother if had to part with
one of them.
The weather i 3 perfectly delightful-like
May grass springing up. birds singing. flow
ers in bloom. The Gun is almost too warm
to-day for comfort. ] am sitting in my tent
writing in my shirt sleeves.whilc The boys are
Just talking of going in swimming in the
Mississippi. which runs just in front of oar
camp-thc same mighty father of waters
that runs just in front of your office windows,
almost 5000 miles between you and /. But
how would you like TO strip off and plunge
in for swim l think you would have TO
cut ice a while first. and don't think yoa viii
do it-piobably too strongly opposed to i'm
mersion..
| had visit the other day. from G. S. Sar-
| geant, of Trimbele, one of your old political
friends He is near Berwicks Bay, below
! New Orleans, on the Gulf; has been gene
| from Pierce county over two years; came here
| Just be fore the war broke out has been en-
/ gagged on sugar plantation, driving niggers,
; etc. in Secessia had TO work it mighty sharp
| to avoid the draft and rebel conscript act -
| He managed TO get pass, and cameup and
visited us says he has been taken prisoner.
| first by the Rebs and then by the Federals,
| Zone of our Regis in the vicinity but says
| he is all right now. Says he has not heard
from his wife since year ago last Sep tember.
| Sends his respects to you, as / told him was
about to write you. You win please inform
his wife if you have a chance. He thinks of
going home in the spring has something due
him here, but can't get it now, and is doubt
| ful if he ever does.
had letter from home yesterday; heard
of you st Cox's Hall, eating oysters. ETC. l
will try to write you again If anything oc-
ours worthy of note but now subscribe my
self az ever yours, W. H. WINCHESTER.