Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1910-01-19
Relation in the Army.

the general environment of camp and
field, are pretty sure to make soldiers
rough, reckless and irreligious. Those
OF us who have seen much OF the life
of the camp and field know that there
is a strong tendency in this direction.
But we also know that there were in
the army the best of men,-christian
men, whose lives every day and I'M
der all conditions exerted an influence
for good.
There was in my own regiment, the
Twelfth Wisconsin, religious asso-
citation that may well have been
called a regimental church. This as
ISOLATION was organized in Camp
Randall before we went south. /
have found, and now have before me,
in a copy OF a Madison paper of De-
cember 81, 1861, the following letter,
which tells something of the circum-
stances under which this organization
was effected:
Eeitors:-
We wish to make known through
the columns of your valuable paper,
to cur friends and the friends of the
soldier, what the good Lord is doing
for us here in camp.
When the 18th regiment first came
here we were quartered in barracks,
where we had guy meetings for relig-
ious worship il several of the com
panies. After about two weeks we
were removed into tents. There we
me-. not CO u-olI cituatad fot. holding
meetings. Divine service was kept
up, however, in some few of the tents.
At length, about three weeks ago,
three or four who love to pray and
look to the Lord of hosts for comfort
and help in this our time of great
need met together in a little board
shanty on the camp ground, known as
the green house, for that purpose.
We made up our minds at OF ce, that
with a little expense and labor i'll
might be made comfortable for the
use of our desired object, and that
We would go and see the superintend
ent, Mr.. H. A Tenney, and ask if he
would grant US the privilege of fixing
it up, and using it to hold meetings
in. We did so, and he granted our
request freely and without hesitation.
We fixed it up the best we could and
gave notice that there would be meet
ings held in it every evening. Soon
our meeting house was filed, and the
converted sailor, Brother Dingman, of
the 18th regiment, preached for us
three evenings; also Elder Gibson and
others in the army, have preached
Tor us. Finally the weather set in
cold and our house was very uncom-
Portable and but few would attend our
meetings. Then we went to see the
superintendent again for the purpose
of getting some lumber and nails to
make it comfortable for cold weather
We needed about 1000 feet of boards.
He was willing to do all he could for
us, but he had not much lumber in
camp and was obliged to use a great
deal, and it was so near the change
In administration, ETC., that he hardly
knew what to do about it. We pro-
posed to go and see the governor. The
superintendent favored it, so we went
to him. We told him our errand, and.
without any hesitation he wrote an
order to have it done. Here is a copy
of the order:
Madison, Dec %, 1861.
H. A. Tenney, Supt of Can Randall,
Dear Sir:-You
viii see that the quarters used FOR re-
Igious services are made comfortable
for the soldiers who desire such &C
commodations. Yours.
A. w. Randall.
We handed the order of Mr.. Tenney
whereupon he Immediately wrote an
order for, and sent teams after, the
lumber. This was last Friday, the
9th The next day he sent on some
hands, and we soldiers joined with
them and repaired the building. We
all worked with will, although the
lay was quite cold. We know have a
comfortable house in which to Worship
the Lord. Yesterday Captain Train
of the Mansion company of the 10th
regiment, preached for us in the fore.
noon and again in the evening The
house was filled last evening. There
were about It's persons present. We
have organized an army church or
union religious society, without re.
spect to creed or sect. We wish and
intend. by the grace of God, to bar-
monte and work together. Our So
eiety now numbers. believe. Sc Nom.
bers. We organized on the gath inst
We have adopted a constitution and
chosen officers, and we fed thankful
and rejoice that our kind Heavenly /
Father has been so merciful INTO ms (,
here, and we feel very thankful to our
governor and superintendent and all
others concerned for their Kindness n
US.
Z. B. Tenney, Moderator
John Ensign. Clerk
The constitution OF this society
accepted December 70, 1861. was as
follows:
Article l. This society shall he
called the Union Religious societv Of
the 12sh Regiment, Wisconsin volun.
teers
Article .. It's object shall he the
promotion of true piety among its
members, and to direct efforts for .bo
( salvation OF sinners.
Article 3. 1t shall consist Of src,
members only as give evidence Of bs.
ing truly born Of God, or are esrnastIv
seeking the salvation Of their souls
Article l. They shall be received BY