Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1864-03-05
From the ssth Wisconsin,. n stIII Liyes.n
cOrrespondenes Of the State JournaI.A

Il
18th, one would suppose that we we're like a
disinherited child-not to be mentioned in
the family, lest the name should call up I'M
pleasant "reminiscences. Every other Wis
consin regiment receives frequent notice is
mentioned with pride as having done so and
so; having marched, fought, or made a-mas-
terly retreat; as being in camp at this or
that place in good health or otherwise; but
the 2sth is entirely ignored upon all such oe-
easions.
This apparent ignorance of our existence
even, reminds me of the anecdote concerning
the "God-like Daniel" who, travelling in a
stage-coach, had for fellow-passenger an old
gentleman from Webster's native town. The
great man, like Mercury, wished to see in
what estimation he was held among mankind,
and turned the conversation upon the people
of that town, and the Webster family in par
ticular. The old man remembered the boys,
Zeke and Dan, and went ON to state what a
powerful speaker Zeke was. He had heard
him speak several times, and never witnessed
such grandeur Of style-never listened to
such eloque ace. And Daniel" qaeried the
God-like; and Daniel, what of him ~
Dan? oh, he's lawyer somewhere around
Boston %
So in our case. You all speak eloquently
Of the I'd, 9Th, 18th, 18th, 23d, and in fact
all others; but the goth "0h, its some-
where upon the Tesche I" just as Though,
gentlemen editors, we had not been upon the
move since the 18th of last April; had not
been at Port Gibson, Champion Hills, Vicks-
burg and Jackson, and in the thickesI of the
fight, too; not supporting some battery back
in the woods, but in advance, where manly
blows were given and received. 1t doesn't
seem to occur to any one that the 29th had to
march, in order to arrive at some point upon
the Bayou Tesche or, if they did, that it
tired them at all. Oh, no! Perhaps it is
supposed by you, as Gen. Dana appears to
think, that we have been heretofore fighting
upon wheels! In an order issued by him, he
winds up by hoping that some recommends
tions therein contained might be complied
with GAS it was expected that this army
would in future, fight on foot and not on
wheels"
But he can't be expected to do us Justice,
though we do think it hard, that, coming as
many of US did, from Dane county; we
should receive such cavalier treatment from
the Madison papers in particular But it may
be owing to the fact that you have no CORES
pondents in the 2Sth and can not hear from
us when you would really like to do so also
that We have not SO many discharged men,
resigned officers, trotting around. town as have
some regiments | wot of. However, if you
will permit me, will in future keep you post
ed concerning our movements, provided you
will give me permission to do so; and while
l shall studiously avoid landing my own regi-
ment to the prejudice of others, or contrary
to facts, L shall at the same time endeavor to
remind the citizens of Wisconsin, and the
world at large, that the 29th regiment still
lives.
As it would be useless for me to attempt
an account of our travels just now, will
drop that part of the subject and proceed to
generalities. PAf g.
As shall endeavor to correct any false i'm
preston which may be made by erroneous
and incorrect statements made by others, so
/ hope Others, will correct me if / state what
is untrue or in any way do injustice to others
or violence to facts. / saw in a Patriot of
some date, an article, entitled "sHard licks
from soldier written by Coleman, formerly
of the 18th Wisconsin. Being slightly ac-
quainted with him, / am disposed to think
that he intended to write facts, but as is evil
dent from his own showing, his experience
has been more extensive in hospitals than
with the officers and men in the field.
Having had several months of intimate ac-
quaintance with surgeons, hospital stewards,
&C., | can fully confirm what he says con-
corning their internal meanness to those un-
der their charge, but in reference to resolu-
lions unanimously carried &c., &C., think he
is rather wide of the mark.
Men worn down by disease, with scarcely
enough life remaining to care how the world
wags, may be nosed around by superiors, and
suffer wrong without making a row; but our
volunteers are of a class not likely to be
made the creatures of his will by any Shout
der strap, let him be cruel and vindictive as
he choose.
too have been misused, insulted and treat
ed with contempt by surgeons and unjust
stewards, but il was when 1 had not the
disposition to protect myself Yet do not
suppose that would vote contrary to my
views upon any question, either to escape
extra duty or tickle my captain.
l would stake my reputation that nothing
of the kind ever occurred in this regiment,
and do not believe it has often in others.
Whisky and lager are ten times more bane-
full at home than is terror of officers in the
army and is more sure to affect the politics
of a man. Only seven Palmer votes were
cast in our regiment, and one of those by a
company commander. Why did not he infu-
ence his men to vote as he did,
Simply because he could not. No more can
any officer unless the man is an idol, in which
case he ought not to vote at all. / have yet
to see the first man who has been misused
for voting contrary to the wishes of his Off
GERS, and am frequently with men from the
18th and 23d regiments. l have heard of,
other complaints, for instance, promotion of
pets-those who had influence at home, &C.,
but never of misuse for political opinions. /
believe that such cases are rare, if they oc-
eur at all; but will not assert what / do not
know positively, so l content myself with
giving my opinion merely. If any one knows
am mistaken, hope he will correct me.
/ think see Little Col. Gill" allowing the
rights of voter trampled upon Why he
would have an officer bucked and gagged,
court martialed, and amonth's pay taken from
him, if he even attempted to interfere with
a mans vote. The guilds of tobacco he would
use would be frightful to behold. Lieut.. Col.
Greene, though less "tyrant," would pro-
tect his men from misusage for any cause.
We would not exchange him for any COM
mander we have yet seen, unless we were
Obliged to do so; and as it is to be hoped
that our services as soldiers may not be re-
quired much longer, we shall probably keep
him with us until our time is out. Perhaps
it would be in order to mention that he, with
several line officers and Sergeants, is now in
Wisconsin recruiting for the 29th. But as
none of them are likely to keep their. lights
"under bushel," further mention would be
superfuous, while number of recruits would
not, as we muster for duty but four hundred
and fourteen men out of nine hundred and
fifty with which we left the State. We lost