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May, 1861
The FIFTH AND SIXTH REGIMENTS Camp Randall will be immediately occupied by the Fifth and Sixth Regiments. The Waukesha Volunteers, Capt. Bean, belonging to the Fifth, arrived on the four o'clock train yesterday afternoon, and immediately took up the quarters in camp. It is a fine company, but not yet uniformed except its officers. Col. Cobb, Lieut. Col. Emery, and Maj. Larrabee were at the camp last evening. Col. Cutler of the Sixth, was in town yesterday, and returned to Milwaukee last evening. Both regiments will be lodged in tents which will be here next week from New York. Messrs. McGonigal and Duicher continue to furnish the rations. SIXTH REGIMENT Col. Cutler, of the Sixth, is the oldest officer on the ground. He has seen active service and is thoroughly military. He is well fitted to command a body of men and is universally respected. He is a rigid disciplinarian, possesses undoubted courage and will attain deserved honor in the war. Lieut. Col. Atwood is our own fellow citizen; as always enjoyed a deserved popularity and we naturally watch his course with peculiar interest. He is graduate of the Norwich Military School and was a schoolmate of the lamented Col. Ransom who met an early and honorable death in the Mexican War. His attentions to his duties are constant and unremitting, and in the drill of officers, and other ways in the course of camp life, he displays zeal efficiency and a through devotion to the cause. The members of the bar and citizens of Madison have presented him with a handsome horse, as a mark of their respect for his character, and for his motives in leaving a professional business to embark in the war. May he win honor and promotion. Major Sweet is a whole souled man; is popular and well liked; is working himself into being a good soldier, and will do no discredit his friends or to the state. EXCELLENT APPOINTMENTS.-The Appointments of FRANK A. HASKELL, Esq. as Adjutant and Prof. C. B. Chapman as the Surgeon of the Sixth Regiment will meet with General Approbation as among the very best yet made. Mr. Haskell has been engaged in the practice of the law in this city for some years and is universally esteemed and respected by our citizens as a gentleman of high character and liberal culture. With a decided taste for military affairs he was among the first to interest himself in organizing the Governor's Guard and held for some time the position of First Lieutenant in that company. He is an excellent drill officer, and no better man for the office of Adjutant could have been found. Dr. CHAPMAN is one of the most experienced surgeons in the West, and has for many years past filled a position in the Faculty of the Cincinnati Medical College as Professor of Surgery where he spends his winters in lecturing to classes in that Department of Science. He is a practical man and will have no superior as a surgeon. Departure of the Sauk County Riflemen. Capt. Malloy and his men left their quarters in this village last Tuesday morning, in compliance with orders from Madison. A larger concourse of citizens than we remember ever to have seen in this place before came together to witness the departure of husbands, brothers, fathers, sons, classmates and dear friends. In all the crowds, which numbered some two thousand, there were none, probably, but mourned the dread necessity of giving up to the National cause some family member or intimate friend. A little before nine o'clock, preceded by a band of fifes and drums with other instruments, the volunteers marched up the green of the Court House and were presently followed by the members of our Hook and Ladder Company, about 30 in number, dressed in their new and handsome uniform. Soon after, the music escorted to the spot Mr. Thomson and his class in singing, consisting of about thirty young girls, who, as they passed around the square, tastefully dressed in white with heads uncovered, and sheltered only by the clouds and waving flags, presented a most charming appearance. On reaching their assigned position, they sang the very beautiful National Hymn which we republish from last week, written by Emeline S. Smith and slightly altered in the third verse to meet the occasion. Who said that the stars on our banner were dim- That their glory had faded away? Look up, and behold! How bright thro' each fold, They are flashing and smiling today. A few wand'ring meteors only have paled- They shot from their places on high; But the fixed and the true still illumine the blue, And will, while old ages go by! Who said the fair temple, so patiently reared By heroes, at Liberty's call, Was built insecure-that it could not endure- And was tottering e'en now to its fall? False, false, every word-for that fame is upheld By the stoutest of hearts and of hands; Some columns unsound may have gone to the Ground, But proudly the temple yet stands. Who says there are murmurs of grief in our midst While loved ones are leaving today? Ah! No- t'is not so - Every heart stills its woe And gives them "God speed" on their way, With their banner above-loving glances around And blessings and prayers as a shield; We will trust this bright band, the fair flower of Our-land, To the perilous risks of the field Who said the good name of our country was Gone- That her flag would be honored no more? Over valley and plain over mountain and main, Rolls an answer like thunder's deep roar. A million brave spirits all shout, with one voice, "We will die for the rights we demand! Let traitors beware by their dark plans we swear That no shadow shall rest on our land!" Who questions the promise? Not we who behold This love and this national pride Sweeping on thro' the clime in a torrent sublime, And bearing all hearts on its tide. Who fears for the issue? Ah, that must be left To the mightiest Leader of all; While He holds the scale, truth and right will prevail, And Error and Treason will fall. A stain on our banner? Oh! Shame to the heart Or the lip that could breathe such a thought! Every line is as clear, every fold is as dear, As when first the bright symbol was bought. With the blood of brave men it was purchased, and we Pledge our own lives to keep it unstained; On the land or the sea, where e're it may be, Its honor shall still be maintained. Heaven's blessings upon it! Its stars never shone With a luster so pure and so warm; Like a beacon's calm ray, pointing out the safe way, They gleam through this gathering storm. Their heart-cheering light led our fathers aright Through all the dark perils they knew; The same magic glow shall lead us to the foe, And guide us to victory too! The volunteers then responded with a right good will to a call for three cheers for the singers, proposed by the 1st Sergeant J. A. Schlick. On behalf of the Sauk County Bible Society, Rev. C. E. Weirch and S. P. Kezerta then presented each member of the company, except such as were already supplied with a neat pocket testament and the Captain with a handsome morocco tuck bible. The time will come, we trust, when the principles of the Scriptures shall render military organizations unnecessary. But that time has not yet come nor will come so long as traitors stand upon our soil. As the company then moved forward, Mr. John B. Crawford proposed three cheers for the gallant fellows, which were given with heartiness. There was however too much feeling at the heart for any very noisy demonstration; but "God bless you, and bring you back safe after a glorious victory," was the sentiment of every bosom. After halting once more for roll call, the procession passed down through Oak Street headed by Marshal Alexander Crawford and the music, after them the fire company and then the brave boys of whom we expect so much, bearing the beautiful silk flag presented them by Mrs. Brown, followed by many citizens on foot, and a large number of teams to convey the volunteers to Sauk City, where they were to spend the night. RECEPTION AT KINGSTON-Our friends at the foot of the bluffs were found waiting for the company and with a hospitality that cannot be too highly commended, prepared a choice and most generous banquet for all that came. When it is considered that fifty-two teams went from here, carrying say 260 persons and that at least as many more had come to bid them God Speed, besides the Kingstonians themselves, making some 700 or 800 in all, and that strawberries and cream, fowls and pastry in great varieties were a portion of the fare, some notion of their generous loyalty may be had. The tables were arranged in the form of a letter "T" and the best of order prevailed. REV. C. E. Weirich made an excellent speech to the assembly and was followed by M. W. Wheeler, District Attorney, whose remarks were also received with great applause. F. M. Stewart, Clerk of the Court, next addressed them making his "maiden speech" from the good sense and vigor of which his friends predict for him a most brilliant future. Here many of the parting scenes were reenacted, as most of their friends were obliged to return home instead of passing over to Sauk. We know that every village and county is partial to its own volunteers, but we are confident that for the qualities in which a true soldier glories, Sauk County may proudly assure herself that her delegates to the battle field are unsurpassed. To physical strength and endurance, they unite that sense of duty which, in obedience to orders, will march them to the cannons mouth, or in the absence of restraint, will prevent them from disgracing themselves, their homes, or their country. In leaving us, they take with them thousands of hearts. Our eyes will follow them, looking the papers over for tidings of their success and safety. Worth fighting for must be that cause which can persuade a community to offer up the flower of its youth, their services and lives even, if necessary, to ensure its success. And all honor to the brave fellows who have answered so manfully to their county's call. God bless them, and bring them back in triumph, every one!
(The following sprightly communication reached us last week only as we went to press. Though late, we are sure it will be read with interest by all). Friend Kellogg:-Perhaps some of the readers of the Republic, and more, especially those who are friends and relates of the Sauk Co. Riflemen, would be pleased to learn some of the particulars respecting the journey of our boys, as we call them, to Camp Randall, the manner in which they were received along the line of the road, and by the officers of the Sixth Regiment, of which they form a part. Since a very graphic description of their journey over the bluffs, and of the big picnic dinner at Kingston has already been given we will not attempt to make any additions to that, but proceed to the remainder of the journey. After having spent about two hours with the good people of K., and eaten till we were quite corpulent, of the nice things-such as baked chickens, pies, cakes, strawberries and cream, and various other things, too numerous to mention, we took passage in a wagon with some of the volunteers for Sauk, Saukee or Saukeedoodle we hardly know which for we visited them all and had a good time at each. The boys left Kingston in good spirits and with dry eyes; but we think some of them got their visionary cognomens slightly damped, if not their spirits, by the hard shower which overtook us before we reached Sauk. We found the people of Prairie du Sac and Sauk City, ready to receive us a committee having been previously appointed to wait on us to direct us to the several places at which we were to spend the night. We conclude they were glad to see us, for they treated us in a manner quite laudable; in other words they had on the big kettle and were all prepared to do the thing up brown. We spent the evening quite pleasantly to ourselves, and we think not unpleasantly to the citizens, as the most perfect order prevailed throughout the whole company there as well as elsewhere. In the morning the boys went through a skirmish drill on the common in Upper Town, then marched to Sauk City, where a bountiful repast was prepared, of which we partook in a manner not uncommon among Yankee boys. After dinner the company formed into line and listened to a short but suitable address by Rev. Mr. Miller. He spoke with intense feeling of the necessity under which we are placed of parting with the fairest hopes, the brightest prospects of out country in so righteous yet unprecedented a cause. He spoke in the highest terms of the military appearance of the boys also of their highly moral and intellectual attainments as a company and with a God Bless You, and a wish that they might all return safe to their peaceful and happy homes, he bade them good byes. His remarks were followed by three hearty cheers, after which Howard Huntington, by request of the company, made a very appropriate reply, thanking the citizens for their kindness and hospitality, promising unswerving fidelity to the Union and Constitution, and pledging to die sooner than witness the desecration of our time-honored Stars and Stripes. The company then gave three bumpers for the Ladies and Gentlemen of Sauk who had opened their liberal hearts and spacious houses and had given them such a hearty welcome and entertained them so handsomely; all of which was done without charge to any one with the exception of the keeping of some teams at the hotels in Upper Sauk for which a round price was charged.-the same patriotic hospitality was extended to the teams on their return. The citizens then gave three prolonged cheers for the Sauk County Riflemen who have volunteered to lay down their lives, if need be, in defense our glorious free institutions. We then turned our eyes in the direction of the bridge and found to our surprise not less then 18 or 20 teams, including three private carriages for the commissioned officers, a fine four horse team for the band, two good buggies for the Sergeants and Corporals, and other teams including those from here sufficient to carry the privates, all in readiness to convey us to Mazomanie. Our ride to Mazomanie was pleasant and we enjoyed it hugely; the monotony generally attending such excursions being occasionally broken by a lively glee or piece of stirring music by the band. We arrived at Mazomanie about 3 o'clock. When within about half a mile of the village we came to halt, formed in company and marched into town in a manner (as they said) that put all the companies which had passed through there in an eclipse. The boys had a good time the remainder of the afternoon and went through their regular routine of gymnastic exercises with all the agility and adroitness of a well drilled circus company, and much to the admiration of bystanders.-At half past five the company was formed, and to the astonishment of most of them, were invited to march into the dining hall at the depot, and administer justice to a bountiful repast with had been kindly prepared by the patriotic ladies of Mazomanie. Though they had but three or four hours notice about 70 feet of table was completely loaded with all the good things a king could ask for, and much to the credit of those who participated in the good work. After tea Messrs. Lee, Cowls, Luce and Fox gave us several pieces of soul-stirring music. The hall was densely crowded, and when Capt. Malloy called for three cheers for the Stars and Stripes, all, men, women and children, indiscriminately, raised their voices to the highest key and gave the loudest applause we have heard in months. The Captain then called for three cheers for the ladies of Mazomanie in recognition of their kindness in preparing for them so sumptuous a feast, and we do not hesitate to say the boys gave their all. The ladies, hands loaded with flowers, requested an introduction to the officers of the company, which was most cheerfully granted, and each officer was presented with a beautiful bouquet. We also had the good fortune to get one, though perhaps more on account of our good looks than bravery! Much credit is due the people of Sauk and Mazomanie for the kindness so profusely lavished upon the boys, and we assure them it will never be forgotten; and when on the battle field the thoughts of the warm friends in Sauk County will strengthen their sinews and nerve them to fight more valiantly. While waiting for the train in which we were to take passage, Prof. Chapman came forward with a class of girls and sang Yankee Doodle and Star Spangled Banner. Their music was excellent and much to their, as well as their leaders, credit. We had seen but few melancholy countenances, till the rumbling of the cars, the whistling of the iron horse and the ringing of the bell announced the arrival of the train which was to take us to Madison. Then it seemed the boys began to realize more fully the fact that they were going away from home. Although but few tears were shed yet their thoughts were vividly depicted in their countenances as they entered the cars, and looked from the windows to take perhaps a last look of and bid a last good bye to the friends with whom they had had so pleasant and happy a meeting. Presently we heard the cry 'all aboard'; then the bell rang. The engine blew a shrill whistle and off we moved amid the vociferous cheers and 'God Speed You' of the hundreds assembled to witness the departure of the brave volunteers who had enlisted to fight for Union and Liberty. At every station we were greeted with cheers, which were answered by the band in a few strains of lively music. At almost every house we passed might be seen men standing with mouths wide extended and hats swinging, who were, as we supposed, cheering, though we could not hear them for the noise the cars. We arrived in Madison about 9.5 o'clock where we found Colonel Atwood in waiting to receive us. The company was then formed and marshaled through the city to the old fair ground, now Camp Randall. Our self being somewhat desirous of seeing the elephant took a foot express and went along with them. Arriving at the entrance of the camp, we found a company stationed at charge bayonet, who gave three cheers as we passed through. We were then directed to the barracks where we found plenty of clean straw and a blanket for each. It being late and the most of the company quite fatigued with the tramp and ride of the day, we rather unceremoniously pulled off out boots and crawled into the straw where we had a fine snooze. At half past five in the morning the companies were all called out for drill, when of course our boys were all on hand like a picked-up dinner and each one tried to do his best, and to our great astonishment the Sauk Co. Riflemen were the objects of admiration of all officers and men and we think justly for they are the best company in Camp R. in appearance and intellect, and we have since learned that the company are assigned the post of honor in the Sixth Regiment. On Friday our boys were selected to escort the Richland Co. Rifles to camp from the depot, which they did in tip-top style. The work is not exceedingly hard since they have to drill but four or five hours a day. The parade drill is fine. The field officers of both regiments are capable in all respects and men who will merit the highest respect and esteem of all under their command. Both regiments mess at the same time and in one hall. Their food though quite plain is wholesome, doubtless the boys will miss pies and cakes. The most perfect order prevails throughout the camp and although under strict discipline we believe all are suited and happy. The Beloit Cornet Band, belonging to the Fifth Regiment are there to discourse the finest music at each parade drill, and occasionally give a concert in the evening. We left the boys in good spirits and anxious for on opportunity to present their compliments to traitors in the shape of cold lead. Sauk County may well be proud of the company she has sent to aid in the suppression and punishment of rebels. We have no doubt they will perform every duty in a manner creditable to themselves and worthy the approbation of all interested in themselves and worthy the approbation of all interested in them. They have brave hearts and in battle will stand firm and fight valiantly. They will stand shoulder and to shoulder in the conflict, and we believe those who stand last will avenge the death of those who may fall. We hope they may return from the war with never fading laurels; then will we sit together around the social hearth and recount in story or celebrate in song the achievements of the past and if need be, drop a tear over the graves of those who shall fall in the righteous cause in which they are engaged.
The tents for the use of the 6th Regiment have arrived at Camp Randall, and are being pitched on the slope at the west side of the enclosure just south of the officers headquarters. The two companies from Milwaukee have returned, and there were nine companies in the regimental parade this morning. These, however, included the Prairie du Chien Vol. and the Sauk Co. Rifles, belonging to the 6th Regiment. The Sauk County Rifles arrived last evening, and give renewed evidence of the muscular resources of Wisconsin. No company raised in the State can surpass these Sauk County boys in brawn. Hardy and gallant as we though the first companies raised for the war in this State, the regiments come up better and better in the physical proportions of their men, the Second surpassing the first, and these later regiments promising to prove superior in this respect to Second. The reason doubtless is that the first were from the cities and villages and the latter mainly from the regular yeomanry of the country. CAPT. A. G. MALLOY, of the Sauk Co. Rifles, has had considerable military experience, and has his men in excellent training. The first Lieutenant is our old friend and ex-editor, D. K. Noyes; T. C. Thomas being the Second Lieutenant. The men are not yet uniformed except with caps which are gray trimmed with green. Both officers and men of the Fifth are rapidly improving, and will soon go through the intricacies of the battalion drill with the ease and grace of experienced soldiers.
THE INTEREST IN THE PARADES AND DRILLS AT THE CAMP IS RAPIDLY INCREASING AMONG OUR CITIZENS, AS EVINCED BY THE LARGE NUMBERS THAT ARE ATTRACTED TO THAT PLACE AT THE HOUR OF EACH PARADE. LAST EVENING A VERY LARGE NUMBER WERE IN ATTENDANCE, AND ALL WERE HIGHLY DELIGHTED WITH THE ANIMATED APPEARANCE OF THE GROUNDS AND WITH THE SOLDIERLY BEARING OF THE TROOPS. THE SOLDIERS WERE FEELING REMARKABLY WELL, AND MADE A FINE DISPLAY. The Stoughton Brass Band were present last evening and supplied the music for the parade of the 6th Regiment. This is a most excellent Band, and many of the members are very anxious to volunteer their services as the Regimental Band for the 6th, but we understand there are one or two who cannot go at his time. The regiment would be lucky if it could secure the services of this fine Band. The regimental drills of the 5th (Col. Cobb's) regiment are in the forenoon; and those of the 6th (Col. Cutler's) are in the afternoon of each day. Both regiments have a dress parade at 6.5 o'clock, P.M.
This affords about a pound and a half meat and the same of bread per day to each man. Fighting men must have substantial dinners, and if we may judge by Company A, they will do justice to all the good eatables thy are likely to meet with.
The dress parade of the two regiments last evening was witnessed by large numbers of our citizens and all were well paid for the trouble of going out of the camp. The two regiments were drawn up on the same line, presenting an array of soldiers that cannot be excelled in their general appearance by those of any other state. Better drilled soldiers may be found; but no more intelligent, healthy and determined looking men can be found anywhere. A large majority of these men are above medium size, young and active; they have left their homes at their country's call with the full determination to do full duty in preserving the government entire. A cause that can bring such men into the fields must be just and will surely prevail. The parade ground is in excellent condition now, and the troops enjoy their drills in a high degree. We understand that the regimental drills during the day yesterday were exceedingly interesting showing great improvement over previous one. The best of order prevails in every department and we hear of no dissatisfaction from any source. The Milwaukee Zouaves treated a large cowed of people to one of the regular Zouaves drills after the parade last evening, which was enjoyed very much by all present; and none seemed to enjoy it better than the Zouaves themselves. It is great satisfaction to be able to record, from day to day so favorable an account of the proceedings at camp. It is alike creditable to both officers and men and gives great promise for their future usefulness. |
