Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1864-05-21
From the srth Wisconsin.
On tie Sacred Soil olored NeighborS-Poto-
mac Scene,1i--Col Harrimm,---7n Trip from,
Camp Randall 10 Camp Cdsey-7Ae Major.
Corresnondance of the state journal

CAMP CASEY, WASHINGTON, d. CO.
s May 4th, 1854.
Editors State Journal After various
"moviug scenes by land and food" the s7th
Regiment of which have the honor of being
an unworthy member, has arrived in safety
and pitched its tents on the sacred soil of Vir-
giuia. Our situation is pleasant one, on a
high sandy hill, commanding very fine view
Of the city of Washington. the Potomac river,
Long Bridge, cities of Alexandria and George
town and a fine stretch of rolling country on
all sides.
In the rear of our camp is colored regi-
ment, the 29th, raised principally in Illinois
and Indiana The contrabands, bear their
martial honors easily and are quiet and well
behaved. They have made good progress in
their drill, for the short time they have been
organized and, except making that side of our
camp appear rather gloomy, are very good
neighbors.
The scene around here is a most animated
one. In everv direction may be seen a flag
flying over the Headquarters of some Fort
their name is legion and the multitude of
them is past finding out. Begin to reckon
them and just as you think your count COM
pleted another one starts into view which you
are certain you never saw before. Some of
them must be like the Irishman's pig which
would not stand still to be counted. The
broad waters of the Potomac (all quiet at
present) are studded with lighters and tow
boats, towing large loads of hay and stores
up and down, mule teams and horse teams
with the horses in continual state of pers-
piration and the drivers in chronic state of
blasphemy, frequent the roads and every
thing seems to denote hustle and activity.
Our trip down here was unmarked by any
incidents worthy of record. We left Madi-
son Thursday, April 2Sth, and arrived at Chi
cago the same evening. Here we took leave
of our Colonel who returned to Madison to
complete the organization of the regiment.
Our parting, though but Temporary one, was
not without regrets OH both sides, and we es-
pecially sOrrowed for the words that he
spake, that we should see his face no more,
for season" Even the short time we have
been together Col Hartman, by his energetic
and persevering efforts in raising the regi-
ment, and by his unvarying kindness and ur-
banity of manner has completely gained the
good win and respect of every officer and man
in the regiment.
We left Chicago, after a comfortable sup
per at the Soldiers Rest, by the Pittsburg,
Fort Wayne and Chicago railroad Our train
was said to be "hagging through and, had
the first letter of the word been omitted, we
would have well appreciated the term.
After a long and tedious ride, in some
crowded and uncomfortable cars, we reached
Pittsburg about daylight on Saturday morn
ing. Breakfast was furnished US here in the
City Hall, after which we left on the Penn
sylvania Central railroad for Baltimore. Our
recollection of Pittsburg and its Ito borrow a
geological expression) carbonyerous inhabi-
tants, will long linger in our minds, geltet egri
S0n,1lid, like sick mans dreams, an indistinct,
chaotic recollection of dirty streets, dirty
buildings, dirty people, coal, coal-dust, coal
smoke, coal togOnyS ct toujours coal. On the
PENNSYLVANIA road we were furnished with
very comfortable cars, and, in a very few
minutes, were initiating the example of the
world renowned Mr.. Swiveller, in counting
the balmy," though, perhaps, under rather
more difficulties than he usually labored, to
wit, several abrupt contortions of the body
in as many different directions, and with our
feet mixed up with the shins of several of our
neighbors.
Our somewhat uneasy slumbers were bro
ken in upon to give us an opportunity of
witnessing the ascent of the Allegheny noun
tains by steam This is decidedly one of the
greatest wonders of the age, and has hither-
to been deemed an almost impracticable feat
in railroad engineering. But the human race,
a,ador Ona1,ia perpeti, has accomplished even
this by what our Surgeon called "lateral
curvature of the road" which with many a
twist and turn, corkscrews its way over the
highest part of the range, and over this trains
cross and recross daily, and people cross there
=, i a,,1 al
ing no notice, just as if nothing we're hap
pening."
We arrived in Baltimore early on Sunday
morning, and after a few hours rest in the
Soldiers Home we were once more en- route
for Washington, not Annapolis, which we
supposed was our intended destination. We
arrived in Washington about six O'Clock Sun
day evening, and on Monday morning march
ed out to our present place of abode.
We got on our camping ground about dark
and while waiting for our tents to arrive, were
Hospitality welcomed by a cold rain squat
from the northwest, with hurricane obiigdto
of wind. This cooled the military ardor of
the Thirty-seventh Wisconsin to such an ex-
tent that they incontinently fell back in dis
order on the Ethiopian reserve before men
toned, in whose barracks we were only too
glad to get shelter. The men, however,
laughed such small annoyanees to scorn. They
feel well, are well clothed, well sheltered,
well fed, and expect to receive their arms in
day or two.
Before closing, let me say word or two of
well-earned praise for our Major, under whose
guidance we came hither, and to whose
watchful care and foresight we are indebted
for the alienation of many of the ills that
railroad travelling is, usually, accompanied by.
Hoping before long to become something
more than mere "supe" in the theatre of
war, and thereby to gain more interesting
matter for letter, remain,
Som InrR