The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1865-03-09
Correspondence Of the Telegraph.
YALE, Feb. 81, '65.

|
1t was my good fortune to pass few very
pleasant weeks at your captivating little
Forest City Of the Vest some years ago and
being so much pleased with the people, es-
pecially the young ladies, who must con-
tess are very handsome and entertaining, |
have resolved to write you few lines con-
corning the late ''rushes'' at Yale, fearing
lest you should get an unfavorable impress.
ion of them from the flying reports which
fill the papers That you may have cor
rect idea of our SO called brushes" will ex-
plain concerning them.
1t is time honored custom of Yale for
the Sophmore and Freshmen classes to have
ia trial of strength the first week of the term
This is called rushing" or in other words,
in seeing who can sweep the street There
are two other time honored customs, viz /:
That Freshmen are net allowed to carry
''bangers" Canes, or wear tiles" (beavers)
before the third term. Any attempt to break
over these customs is met with opposition
from the ''Sopbs." The Freshmen had
thrown out hints of their coming out with
hangers on the 22d of Feb, some six
weeks before the proper time, consequently
our class was ready to prevent it but from
some unknown cause they did not make
their appearance with them. Our class went
from recitation in body to the p. O., and
in returning fortunately or unfortunately
as each one Thinks met the ''Fresh", and
as natural consequence a 'rush'' ensued
to see who should hold possession of the side
walk which had no sooner been decided in
our favor than the Mayor and Police or
Peelers as we call them, made their appear
ance and arrested the first man at hand
this reused the indignation of the Yalen-
slams, and forthwith the prisoner was res
cued and was soon seen making tracks from
the field Of conflict This rush took
place about II oclock, and was but the I'M
tiatlon of a more serious one in the afternoon.
The difficulty in the afternoon arose from a
number of Fresh" rolling one of our boys in
the mud. This was a cowardly affair and
demanded punishment Consequently our
boys made a decent upon the Fresh" and a
general rush ensued which lasted nearly an
hour.
Let me say here that no blows are struck
in these ''rushes' and it is an unfreouent
thing for the contestants to lose their tenn
per. The contestants numbered about 100
and the lookers-on nearly if not quite 400.
The citizens never before having seen dis
played such feelings and actions, the rushes
heretofore having taken place i'll the even
ing, fastened with all speed for the Police,
who came in force. The Police were no
sooner seen advancing with their ''brass
coats and blue buttons than the cry of
Yale arose, which means to unite against
foreign foe, md every thing was made ready
to receive the ''Peelers" whom we consider
d t@tr't@erS upon our innocent amusement.
They Immediately made number of ar
rests but no sooner was man arrested than
he was rescued by his friends, and they
were compelled, as the Register states, the
only truth By the rag, 1t ever told, to leave
the field amid the cheers of the triumphant
''Sophs." Just at this critical period the
Faculty were seen making rapid strides
towards us and doubt whether the rebels
ever skedaddled any quicker than we did
A number of amusing events took place
during the rush one of which [ will re-
late The reporter of the Register Ga cop
perhead paper, as ne was over olficious in
giving his advice, accdleataly got into the
midst Of one of these rushes and [ am sorry
to say came out much worse than he went
in; for he came out minus his hat and notes.
Imagine to yourself the frantic yet unsuc-
cessful endeavors of this Knight of the
quill, to recapture his CLASSIC covering
which was ''lost to sight yet 10 memory
dear" No wonder he should turn the sian.
der of his organ for moment from the
Government upon US poor Students but his
revllings have more than been answered,
"AN no Hoto hildlly oUOSCtteu III IlllS DISPLAY
OF strength no one was injured
Wash men, tailors and Peelers all gain
ed something by 1.-THE former some as
sistance in their livelihood, the latter learn
ed by sad experience that it was unprofita-
BILE to interfere with the business of students
After the disturbance was over, one Fresh
man was so unlucky as to meet number
of Peelers, with whom he went to the Uni
ted States Hotel. This was the only person
actually arrested To those who are not
conversant with the class distinctions of
Yale these rushes are likely to seem foolish
and absurd, but to US who honor the Gus.
toms handed down by those who have gone
before us. they seem harmless and void Of
censure. Let no one think us following the
disposition of brutes and destitute of feeling
for we are not, but on the contrary are sus-
ceptlble to all the finer feelings which SWAY
mans nature, and We hope at no distant
time to be able to reflect honor upon our
Alma Mater and our Common Country.
G.
Recruiting.