Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1881-10-06
BATTERY BOYS.


FIRE AT WILSON'S CREEK TO DISCUSS
THE PAST AND ENJOY THE PRESENT.
The seventh annual reunion of the
Sixth Wisconsin Battery, was announced
| to be held at Wilson's Greek, Sank Co.,
six miles from Spring Green, the near
est point on the railroad, Sept. %
and "a. The 36th Wis. infantry, also,
announced their reunion at the same
time and place.
With the battery boys, the 23rd was
an anniversary, as on that day, twenty
| years ago, on that same ground. the
Richland and Sank boys met and con-
solidated. In commemoration of that
event they met beneath the same trees
and planted the old flag in the same
place as then. Flung upon the breeze
the old Gag looked the same as then;
the high, bold bluffs and level bottoms,
] 5ut on the looks of the few boys present
who met there twenty years ago, the
impress OF those years is plainly visible.
les, here they were, boys still, though
the elastic step of twenty years ago is
| seen no more; the SHOWS and frosts of
| twenty winters have wrought their trac-
cry in their boyish locks; the vacant
sleeve flaps idly in the place of the then
strong arm; green patch hides the
place of the then bright eye. Aye, it is
! probable that the outside world would
think that men who had passed The sun
ny side OF life had usurped the place of
the boys of twenty years ago; but no,
they are boys still to each other
The train from the west, Thursday,
stopped at Spring Green in a drenching
rain, but it was met with cheer, as it
! bore some of the members of the Sixth,
together with portion of the Lone
Rock Boy Band'' The boys were met
with fraternal clasp of the hand by
those of their comrades awaiting them,
and cordial reception by the citizens.
The rain continued up to nearly noon
on Friday, SO, instead of leaving for the
| rendezvous at ten n. m, as per pro-
| gramme, it was one clock before the
| long procession of teams headed by the
band, and with colors flying filed out of
the village. The roads were very mud
dy and an occasional dash of rain came
down upon us, but we plodded on
toward the camp. A mist hung low,
concealing the high bluffs and recalling
to mind the battle of Lookout Mountain
when gallant old Joe Hooker fought
above the clouds. Soon hearty cheering
could be heard in the distance in re-
Spouse to the roll of the drum at the
head of the column and cheer after
cheer reverberated along the bluff until
we reached camp. Here we found a
goodly number awaiting us, and ample
preparations for our reception and en-
tertalnmcnt. Tents were pitched, camp
fires lighted, and the rendezvous soon
had the appearance of military en-
campment. The boys drewrations and
1t was the first time that | ever saw
them draw chickens ready dressed.
The supper was cooked army style. and
in all things the boys seemed to take up
right where they left off The threat
ening aspect of the weather threw a
little depression into the spirits of all as
it would keep hundreds away on the
morrow among them many of the SOL
dier boys we had hoped to meet Still
the old army songs resounded through
the camp, the amusing incidents of ar
my life were recalled, the. old battles
again fought. One variation from the
old camp life was noticeable, as under
the spreading trees a platform had been
erected. where, to the inspiring music
of couple of violins, many were dane
ing; not ''by the light of the moon,
but by the light Ct the camp fire, and
it was there that we realized the truth
that there is
NO sleep till morn when youth and beauty meet
! To chase the glowing hours with flying feet
for when driven from the platform by a
dash OF rain, like brave soldiers repulsed
by a murderous fire, as soon as it would
slackcn they would reform and 90
again to the charge.
Morning was ushcred in by slow,
steady rain, continuing. at slight in
tcrvals, up to ten o'clock, and OCCASION
ally putting in an appearance through
out the day. Still long lines of teams
kept pouring in until there was q good
| lycrowd of several hundred present,
though nothing to what there would
have been had the weather been more
favorable. Each coming soldier re-
| ceived warm welcome, such as can
only be extended by those endeared
to each other by the fatigues of
! of the march, the privations ofsthe camp
and the dangers of the battlefield.
/ The 36th held their business meeting
Friday evening; the 9Th battery, Satu-
day morning \ good many different
organizations were represented on the
grounds, but the unity of feeling made
them seem as one.
The citizens busted themselves in adj
ding to the comfort and enjoyment of
the soldier boys, and had pr divided dim
ner for many times the number assem-
bled, soldiers and citizens alike. The
long tables fairly groaned under their
weight; the commissary ''panning OUT
much better than in our actual soldier
life After dinner came the regular ex-
ercises. Ii. 5. Keene, of Lancaster,
was president of the day: Capt. Henry
| Dillon, of Lone Rock, was orator, Rev.
VIM c. Wright, of Madison, Chaplain.
The Grafton of Captain Dillon was, in
the main, splendid effort. Much of it
was given to the correction of the his
tory of the late war, where the erro-
NOUS statements of war correspondents
have passed into history This seems en-
inently proper rs gross injustice has
been done in this manner. Correspond
ents, anxious to get i'll the first report of
a battle, without waiting to get at the
exact truth of what took place outside
of their immediate observation, would
sieze upon the first camp rumor, en-
belliSh it to suit their taste, and for
ward it to become embodied in history.
In this way there has been sad jumb-
ling of organizations, giving credit to
one that was due to another These
, false impressions should be corrected
before all the active participants are
gone. The address of Captain Dillon
was well delivered. Enfeebled by dis
ease to such an extent that it was diff
cult for him to bear the fatigue incident
to reaching the rendezvous, it was
/ feared he would break down; but he
seemed to gain new strength, and that
voice SO often heard above the din of
battle rang clear and loud throughout.
/ His service in the war with Mexico and
the late war is beginning to tell heavily
upon him.
OF the 1913 men who enlisted in the
Battery at this place twenty years ago,
! but twenty-five answered to roll call.
and but thirty-fve out of the PC who
belonged to the battery during its exist
ence. Two have been mustered out
since our meeting last year, to meet
! with jS hero M moro. and tbi4S N,xo -