OSHKOSH COURIER
June 7, 1861
Correspondence of the ‘Courier’
CAMP RANDALL,
MADISON, June 3, 1861
FRIEND READ
: - The sad intelligence of the death of the Hon. STEPHEN A. DOUGLAS reached our camp this noon; a gloom has since pervaded the whole regiment, it was news that we were expecting to hear, still we indulged a hope that we might in this our time of peril still have the benefit of his invaluable counsels; But He who holds the destiny of Nations in His hands has seen fit in his wisdom to remove him from our midst. To lose such a man at such a time, is indeed a calamity, and the stoutest heart can best weep tears of bitter anguish at the sickening sight our beloved country presents.As soon as the news was received the cannon was fired at half hour intervals until retreat beat (sundown). The afternoon drill was dispensed with and a Battalion parade was ordered at three o’clock. At three o’clock the companies marched from their barracks, the drums were muffled and played a funeral march. After the parade was formed, t he Colonel addressed the soldiers in a short speech paying high compliments to the illustrious deceased. Orders were then read, in substance as follows: That the afternoon drill be dispensed with; the gun be fired at half hour intervals until sundown; that eh flag be lowered to half mast and draped in mourning; that the commissioned officers wear crepe on the left arm for ten days. The parade was then dismissed and the companies slowly marched back to their barracks, all the company flags were brought out and planted in front of their respective barracks, lowered to half mast and trimmed with crepe. The nation is indeed afflicted, its heart is bowed down in sorrow like she who wept for her children and would not be comforted.
We expect to be mustered into the U.S. service tomorrow.
No particular change has taken place in camp within a few days, unless in the butter affair of which I spoke last. We now have the delicious article once each day (supper), thanks to Surgeon LEWIS by whose recommend it was brought about.
We commence our Battalion drills tomorrow, and if we had our arms we should soon be in a condition for active service; we have however learned to wait patiently and take things as they come.
As ever,
YOHAN.