The Manitowoc Herald
July 4th 1861
"The Girls We Left Behind Us"

The Chicago Tribune says that the government of the State of Wisconsin recently passed a law for the benefit of her volunteers, allowing such of them as were married, five dollars bounty per month, in addition to the regular pay.
This premium on benefits has not been without its effect. The Brave fellows has gone up alarming.
The Second Regiment now at Camp Randall, Madison, ordered to leave on Thursday, has given liberal employment to the marrying functionaries. Six came husbands last week, from a single Company, and employed their furlough in brief honeymoons. Of these, five wedded each to "Annie Laurie," but one left the camp and without previous expressed preference hunted himself up a wife, and left her to receive the monthly stipend.

Gen. Fremont has arrived at Washington,
and reported himself to Gen. Scott for duty.

A Military Wedding!
Our "Married" column this week contains the brief announcement that Hymen still contests with Mars for the position of "first in the hearts of the people." In this instance, at least, Hymen won and many there were present to reinforce in his triumph.
Lake Michigan's placid waters have seldom witnessed a more beautiful spectacle than that present last Sabbath morning. Before 8 o'clock the grove on the borders of the Lake east of the camp was alive with visitors; soon the steady tramp of soldiers was heard and the "Ripon Rifles" (known in the 4th Regiment as Company B") under the command of Orderly Sergeant Baker appeared on the ground and formed in hollow square. In a few moments the bridal party made their appearance - Captain O. H. LaGarange and his fair bride, Miss Jennie Stowell, of Hastings, Min.; Maj. F. A. Boardman acting as groomsman and Miss Parker of Washington, bridesmaid. We shall not attempt to give the names of the fair ladies present; it is enough to say that Racine, proverbial for her "youth and beauty," was well represented. Although it was the hour for preparing for the battalion drill, many of the Captain's brother officers had slipped away from camp duties to witness the ceremony which was impressively performed by the Chaplain of the Regiment Rev. A. C. Barry.

After the ceremony and the congratulations of friends had been exchanged, Capt. La G. invited his "Boys" to meet him at his tent after "Battalion Drill" when Jennie would be happy to share with them some of the inevitable "Bride's Cake" 

This invitation was prefaced with a neat little speech as pithy as it was brief: "boys" said the Captain "I hear that some of you have been a little disposed to grumble at my apparent neglect of you of late; but place yourselves in my position, and would you have done any different? 

The response was perfectly satisfactory and with many kind wishes for the happiness and prosperity of the newly wedded pair the audience adjourned the the Camp Ground to witness the "battalion drill" then in progress.