Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1899-02-01
LAYING PLANS 10 CONF noNg.
Has Been the Chief Topic Among the Doys
OF Company NJ. the past Week

/
COMPANY IN" FouRTH WISCONSIN RFeIa FYr
CAMP sHIPp ADMISSION ALA. Jan. n, 1859
FRIEND MUNsoN: JAEGER
son has returned with such glowing
accounts of his visit to the ancient city
OF st. Augustine that we are all feed
with an ambitIou to see It before wa re-
turn to our northern homes. A descriu
ton OF the palm trees and banana and
orange trees laden with fruit makes us
feel that the mountains of Alabama has
given us poor idea indeed OF the real
sunny south. The Fort Marion. which
is the only example Of medieval fortifi.
cation on the continent, with it's massive
structure OF coquira stone with curtains.
bastions moat and outwork, covering
with the reservation more than twenty
two acres. seems mora like story tan
reality. He not only walked the mar
row dingy streets, and gazed in wonder
at the odd specimens of medieval mason
~, but bathed in the fountain of per.
petual youth" SO eagerly sought
by the ancient warrior and explorer.
Ponce de Leon, and brought back
al alligator tooth, he himself extracted
from an alligator found IN the swamps
of Florida | would not say positively
that Lieutenant pulled the tooth him
self, but he has it any way In 1856.
when the English sea- king, Fra els
Drake sailed along the coast with his
light-pooped ships and destroyed the
city the fort was built of huge pine
logs, but the Spaniards then in search
ing for something more substantial with
which to build fort, discovered the
coquira (shell stone) quarries and fort
was constructed that was supposed to
be proof against any enemy. Then when
the challenge was heard Centinela Alerta
and the answer Alerta estra, the massive
gates were closed and the Inhabitants
slept securely. IF one of Uncle Sans
modern lighting machines could have
been turned loose about that time there
would not have been enough left to
make shadow.
The chief topic of conversation the
past week is muster out. The Arkansas
has received orders since my last letter.
This leaves only the Fourth Wisconsin
and Third Alabama of the volunteer
regiments at this point. The boys Gre
already laying plans for the homeward
trip. Some of our company are going
home by way of New York and quite
number will SEQ some of the country be-
fore they return. 1t is stated than an
effort is being made in some quarters to
get the regiment home to be mustered
out. 1t would oe great pleasure to
come home as an organization but this
would deprive the boys of the benefit of
travel pay, which will amount to not
less than $40 or $50 apiece so the sacr.
flee is too great. Besides if the regi-
ment is mustered out here it will give
the boys an opportunity to see many
thing that they would not see il they
went as an organization. All three of
the off GERS of Company M were be-
fore the court martial at one time this
week. Lieutenant Jagerson as a men,
Der of the court, Lieutenant Brsnizsr as
q witness for the government and the
writer as attorney for the accused. I
defended two men this week and have
just been detailed to defend two hospital
corps man before general court martiel
next week.
Private Gust Alness has the measles. |
The boys are getting fat. A few of
them can hardly see. Some of them
have gained 80 pounds since coming
south.
We had home reminder last night |!
in the way of a snow storm. The boys |
were out at reveille throwing snow balls |
and enjoying the scene. The CENSOR
was a pleasant caller, last evening. |
Everything, the county correspondence
included, is of great interest. Informa-
ton on the leading question such as the
senatorial deadlock, the old maids con-
vention, etc, is eagerly sought. We |
would suggest that the date of the con-
vention be delayed so as to admit Of our
being present.
Lieutenant Everitt is still missing |
and the mystery as mysterious as ever.
He has been marked a deserter and will !
probably be dismissed from the service |
Everitt is young man of good family, |
and fine looking officer. He held a
position in the industrial school for |
time and some Viroquains have met him
there. He WAS quite favorite with the
officers. Respectfully,
JACKSON SILBACaH.