Prescott Journal

Correspondence of the Journal.
The Battalion Drill,

Mr. Editor:—On the Fourth of July the Washington County Rifles, Capt. Ayres, invited the Prescott Artillery, Capt. Hillier, and the Banner Badgers, Capt. Reimund, to meet their company and a company from Nininger at Cupola Barn, opposite Nininger, in Cottage Grove, on the 22d July, for the purpose of having a Battalion Drill. On Saturday last, the 20th, the Artillery Company turned out in full—22 men, in a very handsome uniform—black pants, blue shirts trimmed with red, and blue caps, the gun drawn by two horses; and the Banner Badgers—20 men, uniformed very neatly—white pants with blue stripes, red jackets trimmed with blue, and blue caps. The two companies formed on Broad and Orange Streets at 8 A. M., and after marching to Kinnickinic Street, thence down that to Water Street and up Water to the ferry, where Mr. Felt ferried them all safely over. Some few citizens from Prescott accompanied the military with "commissary supplies," each member of the companies carrying thus sufficient cooked material for a pic-nic dinner. D. Marsh, of ice notoriety, carried along a supply of lager and ice cream. The two companies from Prescott were met at 11 A. M. half a mile this side the Barn by the Washington County Rifles, who escorted the former up to headquarters. After getting a drink of good ice water, the three companies marched out about half a mile, met and escorted the Nininger company to the Barn. After an hour's drilling under command of Col. Ayres, the ladies and citizens formed in procession and escorted the military to the aforesaid Barn, from the cupola of which gaily floated the stars and stripes, the emblem of liberty, in which rows of temporary tables were loaded with the substanticals and delicacies of the land. It was really a surprise to the Prescottians, as we did not expect anything of the kind. There were over 1,000—probably 1,500 citizens present, of which a large proportion were ladies, who cannot be excelled for beauty and largeness of heart by the fair sex of any other country—God bless them. To win their smiles who would not be a soldier and march for miles through sand and dust and storm a masked battery? The ladies have and are certainly doing their share for the Nation in this year of trial, when fiendish traitors are striving to overthrow the Constitution and subvert all laws. After dinner was over, Lt. Gov. Donnelly made a neat little speech, at the conclusion of which three cheers were given for him, and three rousing cheers for the ladies of Cottage Grove. The companies again formed in Battalion, marched out to the prairie, and Col. Ayres formed a line and fought a mock battle. The exercise made the men sweat, but the ladies and citizens seemed greatly pleased. The Battalion again fell back to the Barn, and after six rounds from the Artillery and three cheers all round, the companies from Prescott bade their many friends adieu, and all returned safely home. All were well pleased with the instruction and entertainments of the day. When can the companies and citizens of Pierce County return the compliment to our Minnesotas friends by inviting them to a pic-nic and Battalion Drill at Prescott? Our citizens, and the ladies here will certainly do their part and make a handsome thing of it.

July 22d, 1861.
WISE.