Camp Sherman, near Jeffersonville, Ind., November 14, 1861.
Friend Lute :—I hasten to inform you that the “Bloody First” has, within the last half hour, received marching orders. We are ordered to strike out tents at 8 o’clock, A. M.; to march at nine.—Our destination is doubtless some point below, as we are to go on board a steamer. The alarm drum beat fifteen minutes before twelve, and in less than five minutes the regiment was in line. You may calculate that the boys “scadadled” out of their nests in a hurry.—Each man is to receive 30 rounds of cartriges and two day’s rations; so we are to move some distance.
Gen. Sherman has paid the regiment a compliment which no other regiment has received in this Department. He has ordered that the Wis. 1st shall parade through the city of Louisville to-morrow morning before embarking. Showing that the 1st stands A. No. 1 in the military world; no other regiment being permitted this honor.
Every thing is confusion here at this time, and while I am penning this no less than seven men are improving the opportunity of using my candle to pack their knapsacks and store away their cartriges.
All are enthusiastic over the orders, thinking, no doubt, they are going to get a chance to show what they are made of. But I hardly think we shall have a fight for the present; for several days at least.
Any important move of the regiment will be reported in due season.
I have received the Journal as regular as the weeks came round, and right welcome it is.
Yours truly,
Quad.
Prescott Journal, Prescott, WI