The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1864-03-24
Correspondence CT the Telegraph.
B "Phs
CAMP RANDALL,
March DIST. 1894


EDITORS TELEGRAPH-Th Thinking that you
would be pleased to hear something of what
was going on in Madison and Camp Randall
l pen you these few lines. Although many
think and feel that the service is very I'M
pleasant and irksome, yet | believe the sol
diers are satisfied that the Government Of
the U. S. does all that it can for the comfort
of its volunteers. am satisfied that the
government daily allows the soldier more
food than he can eat, and more clothing
than he can wear out. Yet l assure you
that it is not like being at home Many
sordid unprincipled individuals will tell you
that the soldiers are going to the war for
the bounties and high wages, but | wish
to inform you that | have met men in
Camp Randall who are privates in the army
and at the same time were worth many
thousands Of dollars When l enquire of
them what made them enlist, they tell me
that they believe this to be war between
Freedom and Slavery, and they were deter
mined to fight until death, rather than our
noble banner of freedom should be trailed
i'll the dust; God bless such men! AS near
as | can learn there are between three and
four thousand soldiers in Camp Randall
Large numbers of recruits may be seen al
most daily marching from Camp to the r.
r. Depot, thence to the seat of war;
Many of those brave men will never re-
turn to their families. The wife will vainly
look and watch for the return of her hus-
band. The little child will vainly call for
its father. His bones will lie bleaching be-
meath southern suns, and his name will be
registered III heaven, as one of the noble
band OF martyrs who have offered up their
lives on the alter of human rights May the
God OF Heaven support these brave men in
the hour Of death and when they lay upon
the CORY field, breathing their last breath
amid the din and roar of battle, and are fill
ed with anguish on account of their families
which are to be left unprotected, may they
hear a voice from heaven, saying, 'come
hither We blest Of my Father" and may
their spirits be conveyed to the reIms of eter-
nal bliss.
You have already learned that the 8th
Battery, the 10th and 18th Regiments have
returned home on Through of 80 days to
enjoy the comforts of home for few days,
and then retrace their steps to the seat of
war. Three cheers for our returned heroes
| must also mention that many colored men
have returned with these Regis, acting as
cooks and walters. They feel proud of their
position, as treemen, and as members and
defenders of the Great American Republic
L asked one negro whether he would not
rather be home again with his master and
mistress, and he emphaticalIy answered
No! Says he. we did not like to work
year after year for nothing, and be bought
and sold like cattle Another negro told
me that his mother washed and mended his
clothes, and telling him to be careful and
not be retaken 10y the rebels but to get to
the yankees, babe him good by, willing to
part with her child forever, rather than have
him remain in slavery all his days, as she had
done. | then advised them to buy some
school books, and try to educate themselves
but soon learned that they had already
done so. They carried a spelling book and
reader in their coat pockets. They seemed
very anxious to educate themselves, but
stated that they found it hard to proceed
without teacher
1t is lamentable to Witness daily the waste
of money and health, in the use of intotxi-
eating drinks | think that it is a great,
mistake in the Government, to allow the
sale of spurious liquors on the camp ground
1t fires the brain, destroys the intellect,
brings sorrow upon many families, and f.
nally destroyst the soul.
AT the present time there is considerable
sickness in Camp Randall. The hospital is
filled to overlooking, and many die, daily
of the measles and small pox
This morning l was conversing with
young man Of the 10th Wis, who had es-
capped from Danville prison, Virginia. He
was captured at Chickamauga Twice he
escaped and was retaken and carried back
the third attempt proved successful. After
enduring untold hardships, he reached our
lines on last christmas day. His story de-
serves to be read by the masses.
Mr.. Edward Healey, of Salem, has been
appointed for the present, Sergt. of Barrack
No. 5, in camp Randall. He makes an ex-
cellent officer and his men nearly worship
him, He is very anxious to join his regi-
ment, but his superiors will not at present
consent. A short time ago paid short visit
to the State University, and found Prof.
Allen busily engaged in the discharge of his
professional duties. deem him the right
man in the right place. l think that this
institution is not properly appreciated by
the people
have taken occasion also to visit the
Senate and Assembly Chambers, and have
been happy to find the Hon. Anthony Van
Wyck, and Hon. A. c. Barry, engaged in
the faithful performance of their duties.
kenosha County has reason to be proud of
her Representatives in Madison.
Hoping and believing that the present
year will witness the suppression of the
Shareholders rebellion, and the consequent
return Of peace, / bid you adieu
Respectfully Yours.