The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1850-03-06
IFor the Minnesota Pioneer. !
CANTEEN SKETCHES,

W an eIpedhaon 10 me Ned hicef OF me
North, IN the summer Of 1 $40 commanded
ty.Ncj. Woods ofthe 9th Infantry, TO marx
our northern boundary line &c accompani-
eddy Capt. Pope Of the Top. Eng, Lieut..
Nelson 9Th Infantry "A. a., Q. M. and Il.
! Il. {. s., Lieut.. Castor, Ist Dragoons,
Dr. Sykes, (eitisen) Mr.. Stilley, mer-
chant, wih nine wagons, t,co carriages
and one mountain ho,citser, escorted BY
20. ID. la dragons commanded By
Lieut.. j. ". T. Gardiner
On The l2,h June part of the Company
ferrlcd the Mississippi at Sauk Rapids, and
encamped one mile above, and occupied the
next day in assisting the rest of the Compa
ny to cross the river at Sauk Rapids, which
was accomplished at O'Clock p. NJ. We
lay encamped Oh the l4th, providing fur
ther raiions and remained also through the
15;h experiencing frequent showers. On
the 10th the weather seeming more favora-
ble we marched TO Cold Water creek, 1S
miles, which being unable to ford, we made
"A bridge across by dusk, $50 feet long, all
hands at work, but one man OF each mess.
WASN'T that as wonderful as Bacon's
Abrdgmeut Of the whole ocean of Com
mon Law! On the morning of the 18th,
early rcyeille, we crossed the bridge in sim
gle file each leading his horse, picHeted our
ponies on the opposite bank, and returned
to help the wagons over. All was accom-
pl;shed with safety; after which, we rode &
miles, 10 the second creek above Sauk Rap
ids, where we found it necessary TO build
another bridge, 1910 feet long, which we
could no doub, have built. like q for, be-
fore dark; but cur bono! Uncle Sam does
not expect his beloved troops 10 work mir
aces erery day, so we encanped; but after
breakfast on the 18th every man was in the
swamp preparing materials for the bridge
Presto change! In hours it is completed
every thing hustled over anl-ho!d-only
one mile aud here we are in swamp--a
dismal swamp. Of, every man! Your
shoulders to the wagon wheels and every
thing moves through. Thus does American
energy, pass under, pass over, or pass
through, whatever opposes. Another mile
takes US to Sank river. Dislocate, dismem-
her and unlmber every thing, to be ferried
over in the ponton wagon beds, which be-
ing water proof, serve for boats. All over
now but the animals. In trying to drive
them over, horses, 8 mules and pony
escaped and turned tack-actualIy deserted
the American flag A non-commissoned
officer and a private were sent in pursuit of
them; but their horses tagged out before
they could overtake the runaways. Those
animals knew perfectly well, that thev had
got north of the oat-fields. On tn, eve
ming of the 10Th a sergeant and A privates
were detailed to pursue the deserters; they
met the animals coming into camp, in the
custody o: two citizens who had arrested
them at Sauk Rapids. Poor Uncle Sam
uel had to pay the men $500 for their
trouble; but Uncle took it patiently.
On the Goth we left camp early and after
a march of only miles, night caught US
encapming on the prairies; for having had
heavy rains, the wagons mired horribly.
Three times, we had 10 put mules to
each wagon and all cur shoulders to the
wheels, TO get out of the mud. The next
morning at s O'Clock, we left with our wag-
ons half loaded, and after going mile re-
turned for the rest Of the loads; fully load
ed, we got another mile-now in the mud
again--double teams-out again; now breaks
etrope-now the chain of mule
harness--until we struggle through miles
and encamp ct David's lake, having left
half our load mile back. Oh! retroges-
sion! Ii is as bitter as repentance! Men,
horses, every body tired and no wood near
for fuel. On the 22d we lay encamped
fighting mosquitoes and flies. What an
intolerabIe army of bores! How annoying
They shed more of our own and horses
blood in this expedition, than enough to shed
glory upon whole army of Mexicans.
Now and then horse or mule breaks his
lariat. Let every man, then see to his own
beast! Now comes up "A rattling thunder
storm. There comes the guide and inter
prefer with fresh venison. So ii goes.
The insect feeds upon man and man 'takes
IL tear'' at the quadruped-Eunger makes
destruction. We remained in camp on the
23d, bitten as bad as ever; the back biting
Of Sewing Society is nothing to it. On
the Gath, martyrs in the same camp. Lieut..
Castor with sergeant and one private, starts
for Ft. Smelling to get another wagon. The
weather is fine again.
Quiet on the 25th. Weather hot-mus-
quitoes annoying, expressive word, is it not
/ Well may each soldier bless his stars,
Who brought along mosquito ars;
And bids defiance while he lies,
To gallinippers ard 10 flies.
Kind old uncle Of ours! Good uncle SAM
ue! thou art willing that our blood should
be drawn, if need be, in fighting the Mus.
quito king George Frederick Augustus Cla-
renee Sambo Sainosa, and his British allies
, but not in an inglorious fight with the ignoble
mosquitoes themselves. On the 26th we
were off at sunrise--rnred twice in going
miles--liit, lug, tug, now we move out again
timber in sight, distant from it half mile
and here we encamp again. OFF at sunrise
on the 9th, for the guide reported a bae
route. Officers Woods, Pope, Nelson, oul
Doctor and MFR. Stilley, went ahead of u
and encamped four hours before we came
up; distance l6 miles. Coming in, we
heard with regret Of the heavy blow whicl
Lightning had struck Lieut.. Nelson-hit
ing him, no doubt unawares, although al
officer Of much presence Of mind, while un
guarded in his tent. Nothing but promp
assistance recovered him. Next TO Lieut.
Nelson's tent was pitched Lieut.. Gardiner's
: the Lieut.. being out with bis men--Light
ming then cracked down OH the poles of hi
tent aud shivered them most shamefully
We were stuck many times that day; II
= fact we went along like brace of chair
bearers. stick! stuck! stick stuck as
struggling along in the bed oftbe river Styx
i which they say ran iurpentine. Our wagon
a left half their load miles hack Oh the prai