The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-12-25
From the Minnesota Democrat.
Military Posts In Minnesota.

There are, at the present tne three forts in Minae-
sofa garsoned by six companies OF United Stales troops,
viz infantry, light artillery, and dragoons Though
seldom called upon 10 perform active military service,
these troops salutary check upon the Indians
the frontier, who, without the restraint imposed by the
presence OF military force might prove refractory and
trouble some.
Fort SneIling the Oldest military pos, in the Territory
ia situated the west side OF the Mississippi, imme
datey above its junction with the Minnesota, and
miles above ST Paul The site il of the most beau
uiu and picturesque imaginable occupying the front
verge OF the extensive plateau at The angle formed By the
confluence OF the Minnesota with the Mississippi The
plateau, or table land upon which The post is situated
abruptly from the banks OF these streams TO an ee-
vaoa OF about hundred feet when II merges into
level PLAIN, stretching IN the far the eye
reach, and unhroken, except by the ndenlaons OF
streams, and the lmpd lakes which here aud there lay
embosomed upon it's surface The view hete afforded OF
the valley OF the Minnesota nihcen ia the extreme,
and the faithful pencil OF Captain Eastman, and other
les. distinguished artists have already rendered the land
scape celebrated Of most imposing beauty and love-
llDess.
The fort was established in 1919, and erected under
the supervision OF Col. Smelling, the able officer from
whom II derived s name. II is AT present gausoned by
three companies. viz Company T." % artillery.
manded BY Capt and Brevet Major w. T. Sherman
Company d." LIST dragons, commanded by lst Lieut.
John Adam; and Company - H. = 9th infantry, com :
maaded BY Cap, James Monroe The fort is at present
tenant colonel 5lh infantry The following named ofh-
cers IN addition TO those already mentioned, are sta
toned here VIZ: Joseph Steward. Isl lieut. 81 artillery.
A. Asst Or. M and e. Geo. L Andrews, Isl lieut. 81
artillery, post adjuant al Lieut.. Kellogg, Sd artillery
Bfevc, ~ Leul Wilson. 9th infantry; Rev. l.. G. Gear,
chaplain; Ffsnkhn Steele, post sutler: Lieut. W. T..
Magruder, tavorably known 10 most OF cuZens ~
at present absent a mooihs furlough
Fort Rldgley is situated on The Minnesota rver, al the
mouth OF Little Rock creek and is distant by land from
Fort Smelling about i25 miles, and by the river $50 miles
The ate commands beautiful view Of the Minnesols
either side. In the IL beautiful prairie extend
ing as tar az the eye can reach, and ner-pef@ed with
bly groves and dotted with an nnumerable quantity
pf fhnsa heal ui al GilI fhe
whole Undins region The quarters are being construct
ed Of species OF granite which abundant in the neigh
borhood, and when completed will encompass square
arena OF five hundred feet. Captain n j. t. Dana, A
q M. u s. A, has charge OF ibe construction, which.
10 those who know him, is sufficient guarantee that u
will be well and properly done The post 70 gausooed
by two companies 9Th inf, and is commanded BY Breve
Major :. Wood. formerly the popular commandant OF
Fort Smelling, and more recently OF Fort Dodge. The
Other officers OF the iort are Captain Foo'e 9th ni FIRST
Lieut. and Bevet Major Armstead, do Second Lent
Coriey, do. Acting Assist Or. NJ. and G. 81 Second
Lieut. Ksiiou. do; Poet Adjutsnt and Assist Surgeon
Hss-ao. U. s. A; b. II Randall. esq. post sutler
Fort Ripley il situated on the west bank OF the Mis-
sisslpp in the Winnebsgo country, l22 miles above 81
Paul, and miles below The confluence OF the Crer
Wing river II established in 1sts, and built under
The soperin,endence OF Captain Dana, q NJ the ac-
conpshed officer who s now performing the same do-
lies for the government at Fort Rdgley. The situation
has always been regarded unfortunate one for the
purposes Tor which IL established, and in point OF
location presents rather untavorabe cooras, to FORTS
Saeng and Ridsley To the west and IN the OF the
fort the country covered with forests OF pine and hckets
aspen and undsrgrowtb. with tamarack swamps and
grassy marshes occasionally nterspersed Tor variety 0n
eastern and opposite side Of the Msssspp the charac
ter OF the county is totally Different being beth beautiful
and productive, as the fine and well-cunvaed fields OF
Mr. Olmstsad and Others will attest The quarters are
principally built of pine logs Notwithstanding the un-
favorable situation Of thegarrson, there s an air OF neat
and comfort about it which almost compensaes ior
tn. want Of taste displayed in it's location, and speaks
avorably for the efficiency Of s commapdant and other
officers II ia garisoned By one company, 6,h infantry
and is commanded by Captain J. b \. Todd, who has
held The command since was hrs established The
other officers Of The post Lieut. y. Flint, 9th in
faniry, A. A q M; Second Lieut. w. r, Carlin, do. .
and Assistant Surgeon Leaiherman, u, s A.. Rev. Mr.
Many, chaplain and W Lsnde. e.q poet sn,ler
The erunsut, VI. Arbon, who made sscen, from
Barcelona than two years ago, and had not since
been heard Of and who believed TO have fallen into
the and been drowned. has made his appearance
again An Acant letter says that his balloon went ove
10 Africa, and that he zed and made slave and
in tai han he made his