Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1918-05-01

Dear Censor: As l have some things to
write which will be of general interest 20
your readers l again asking for space.
Have seen Camp Grant and my party
knew the French officer who is chief engineer
of trench work in this camp. We were given
the unusual privilege of seeing the eight
miles of this plan of warfare with exact re-
production Of the trenches abroad: saw dug
outs. listening posts, COngs used to give warn
ing for gas masks how the corners are
staged with twigs and sides braced with steel
netting and saw the barb wire entangiements.
One dug-out was named Blackstone, for a
hotel in Chicago. A big entrance is Michigan
Avenue. Other trenches named for towns
in Illinois and Wisconsin. The \. NJ. G. A..
have dug-OUts and their men will serve hot
coffee and sand Riches 10 the men doing night
work in trench practice. I saw throw
ing 5asnbs. heard the tat, tat, tat Of the au-
tomato rifles. the camofage horses. the
machine gun carts with guns and ammunition,
the men coming IL AZ retreat" and mess :;
saw a company of esioTed troops with their
colors and about three hundred men just ar
irving and taken into camp.
The camp area is immense and cannot all
be seen at once. even in an auto
l am told that Ralph Nuznm was sent in
cartridge belt and with rifle up into Wiscon-
sin TO get 6eserter and got him too. So far
| can learn all of the first sent
from Viroqua tthe sightl are doing fine work
trusted men, and 1 believe for that very
reason they held here long. One
teaches gun position etc. The streets on Sat
urday and Sunday full of soldiers and
faces since last fall. Grim determination is
seen, IL the S6th Division gtes into action,
there will be hanging back, however grue-
some the task, for thrice armed is he whose
cause is just"
Friday. April 12ht was a great day here.
for in the interests of the Liberty loan a
complete field formation of the seth Division
from Camp Grant passed through Rockford
a sight that has not been seen in this country
in two generations. The march covered 10
miles and was two hours passing a given
anNrtrN ham E
at regular distances, playing the same airs
at same time by the watch. regimental colOrs
and old glory over all. ambulance, remount
wagons, field kitchens. gun carriages, loose
pack mules, trucks equipped with field hos
pital needs, and most of all 10000 men, all
khaki clad, the precious manhood of our coun-
FRY, ready TO do or die for the freedom of the
world. | cheered until my arms ached and
wished | had the tentacies Of devil FISH that
/ might Jerk off the hats of bystanders the
coiOrs passed begged group OF men near
me TO help cheer when 'Old Abe H. was
carried by and they did.
In the Civil war one of the Wisconsin reg
iments had an eagle captured m Wiscons'7
woods as mascot. He was carried on a
standard chained TO piece at the head
of the regiment, even into battle, sometimes
let loose and would fly over the rebel lines
screaming defiance. The sharpshOOters tried
to get him but he never lost feather and was
brought back TO Madison and kept until he
died. was privileged 20 see him once.
This eagle was called "0ld Abe after Pres
ident Lincoln so he was Old Abe /. As the
34Ist Infantry is composed of Wisconsin
troops THE Eagles of Milwaukee secured an
eagle for this regiment and he duly pre-
scented. He has a gold leg band engraved
"0ld Abe, H.. TIE number of his regiment
and in the march was carried on one of the
wagons. He is hardly likely TO take part in
this conflict, for the air is too full of schrap-
mel. There were hundreds of horses and many
auto trucks. Among the officers several
French officers with light blue uniforms and
red and gold caps. but all glitter is out of
nm
braid and caps instead of hats make the
officers. | wondered what General Winfield
Scott, the commander at the beginning Of
the Civil war would have said of the line on
Friday? He was called by the men "Old Fuss
and Feathers" If these officers have any fine
gIittering clothes they left them in the bar
racks.
Now will my friends consider this letter
to each, if you are able TO give space to il.
LYDIA r. GOTT,
Rockford. ILL.,, April Ia.