Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1864-07-14
From the 37th Regiment.
Washington, July 4th, lsf


FRIEND BRUSDAGE:-The idea occurred to
me to drop you few lines to let you know
how things look here, and what the appear
ances of things were Oh the road from Madi-
son to this city.
We left Camp Randall about A. NJ last
Wednesday, and got on board Of the cars and
started for Petersburg, Va. Nothing occurred
worthy of note except that we were delayed
about an hour and a half at Milton Junction,
waiting for the train to take US to Janesvile,
where we changed cars and were delayed
about an hour longer, when we finally got
ready to start for Chicago, at which place we
marched to the Soldiers Home and there par
took of supper got up in good style, and
we were genteelly waited upon by the ladies
in attendance at that really patriotic institu-
ton.
After supper we went on board Of the train
and started for Pittsburg at about 81 P. NJ
Although sleep did not visit many eyes in the
cars occupied by our party that night, yet the
darkness shut the agricultural prospects from
our eyes until we had got mere than half way
through the State of Indiana. But if the
prospects were no better throughout the
north western part of the State than they
were through the eastern part and through
the State Of Ohio and Western Pennsylvania,
we were graciously relieved of sight that is
calculated to sadden the mind of every lover
| of his country, particularly in days of trial
such as our country is passing through at
present. The drouth has seriously injured
| crops Of all kinds, and in many places the
appearances would seem to indicate almost a
total failure. As bad as the drouth may have
affected the crops in Wisconsin and Illinois,
the crops looked better On the prair;es in
those States than in the States above men
toned. But in Eastern Pennsylvania and
Maryland the crops looked very well, and the
harvest is progressing finely.
We ratified along over the road at good
rate and arrived at Pittsburg Thursday eve
ming just before dark and partook of supper
at the Soldiers Home, which did honor to
the citizens of that place, although the insti-
tuition was not conducted in as good style as
the Soldiers Home at Chicago. We remained
at Pittsburg until half past two o'clock in
the morning, when we took the train for Bal
timore, via Harrisburg. We were accommo-
dated with good cars and had pleasant ride
of the old Keystone State. The ladies nearly
everywhere through this State, as well as
Ohio, manifested their patriotism by waving
their handkerchicfs as we passed along. We
changed cars at Harrisburg, and arrived at
Baltimore about ?. NJ, where we expected
to receive the treatment due soldier, but
were doomed to disappointment. Our fare
consisted of little poor, miserable, lean and
very salt beef, (such as no man can eat and
digest), with sour bread, and something that
was called coffee, which was pretended to be
sweetened, but was rather soured, by an in
different article of sugar or molasses. And
to cap the climax we were detained until ten
o'clock Saturday morning, waiting for train,
and then slowed into dirty freight cars, with
no ventilation except the doors, and rough
boards for seats.
We arrived at Washington about o'clock.
Here we are rather better treated yet the
general impression among the beys is, that
Washington is not very hospitable or patri-
otic city. This National Anniversary is not
celebrated here to-day, except by the blacks,
who, when they hear the booming of gun,
will hurrah for Mcclellan.
July 5th.
We leave here this morning to join our
regiment (now before Petersburg) on the
steamer Albany. When we arrive at our
journeys end, l will give you further particu-
lars Until then remain
| Yours. &C.,
JANIS 9. SEvERNs.