Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1898-10-05
MELVIN srEENBERa,s NOTES

Melvin Steer berg sends the CENSOR q
few notes OF his observation in the south,
which are we'll written and TO the point
The monotony of our journey wat
continually relieved by change OF
scenery, and as we approached the south
our attention WIS more particularly
drawn toward the inhabitants and their
evident sowness toward a higher civili-
cation. The class to which have refer
ence is the negroes. 10 passing through
Mississippi, Tennessee and Alabama,
you could easily locate thu white settlers
by hasty glance at their dwellings,.
The negroes almost invariably occupy
old, low, weather beaten cabins. Cotton
and corn are about the only productions
raised about here. Were it not for tn
cheapness of labor the production OF
cotton would hardly pay at all. Ere
quently not more than one hundred and
fifty pounds of cotton are raised to the
acre ard the price per pound is now five
cents, as compared to forty five at the
close of the civil war
Since our arrival here the weather has
been exceedingly hot. Bat we are in
formed that this is cool place as COM
pared to some parts OF the West Indies,
where we may probably have chance
TO go. As general thing the people
here seem to be less ambitions thar
those in the northern states. This fact
manifests itself equally as we'll in the
citi,s as in the country. There are
several fine towns and cities down here,
bnt they have very untidv appearances
The Y M @. A. tent, which was with
us at Camp Douglas. has been pur
chased by the regiment, and by levying
monthly fee of five cents per person.
We will all be privileged to the benefits
to be derived therefrom. While at
Camp Douglas it was run by the Y NJ
J. A of the 81 ate of Wiscor sin, and as
they could not bear the burden of com
ing south, arrangements were made 70
it's disposal to the regiment. The Fourth
Wisconsin is the only regiment in The
field that can boast Of having tent OF
this kind.
Just few words as to the location of
his plaza Admission is situated about,
thirty five miles from the extreme foot
hill of the Appalachian mountains. AZ
this country has fall OF about twenty
tive feet to the mile, our altitude will b.
nearly nine hundred feet sufficiently
Ugh to escape the heavy dews and foge
| which are prevalent at attitudes nearer
he level of the sea Our military camp
les about one and half titles west of
the city of Admission. The reservation
comprises about twelve hundred acres
and it's character is diversified by bills
md a promiscuous growth OF trees A.
his is new and only temporary camp,
he government has not as yet erected
my buildings At present there arr
five regiments here, but four more ar
expected to arrive soon. The Fourth
Wisconsin occupies the sunny 81 'e of g
bill, and, consrqu ,ntly, we get the flu
benefit of the mid dav sur. Cor s;derine
every hing l believe this will be very
healthful camp. IL sanitary conditions
are strictly enforced, and certainly they
viii be. there will not be the least dan
ger of contagious diseases The char
acter of the country is such that any
super fluous moisture can easily b.
drained off, TINS insuring US practi
cally dry camp at all times