The Shasta courier., 1854-07-01
Letter frsm CstssnweeA.

CoTToSwooD, July ~. 1884.
FRIrsp Cou.IrR:-T passed By Fort Reading
to-day. and sswa very fne bpdyof Uncle aam's
soldiers at drill. There were over So rank and
file. and a sprinkIing Of officers going through
all manner of military Notwithstanding
squares, running after imaginary enemies. ia
king steady, cool aim at--empty space, &C., &c.
| stood admiring aud thought the whole scene
very pleasing and brilliant. The men were tall
and soldierly, and their officers distingae and el-
egant; the bayonets of the former glistened in
the sunlight as only polished steel could, while
the bright epaulettes and sword trappings of
the latter sparkled as only the brightest gold
or brass-should Above them, from the top of
tall pine pole, hoated the glorious banner of
the stars aud s,ripes-the martial fife and drum
played stirring march, and the fine form of the
white haired Colonel, whose rank was evident
at the first glance, was seen guiding and direct
ing the proceedings Of the day.
Now, friend Courier, think you mentioned
some time since that there We're pot sufficient
men at the Fort TO meet a certain exigency
which arose some months ago in the region of
the Pitt and McCloud rivers; therefore thought
would tell you what l saw, and l have no
doubt you and the public will be glad to learn
that there now eighty available men at the
Fort-Lieut. Van Yoast having arrived on Sat
urday last with fifty men Of Co. D, Sd Artillery
The post is much complained of on account of
the prevalence of fever and ague, and the proba-
bility is, that all those fine fellows .'whom
gazed on SO fondly to-day will, in few short
months, be shaking in most unmilitary fashion.
The truth is, that all the garrison at Fort Read
ing have their regular and constantly recurring
attacks of chills aud fever through the summer
and fall, aud many fine constitution is perma-
nently injured by the ordeal. All this might be
avoided by moving the command some 90 or 80
miles up the hills during the hot season, which
would further have good effect with the IN
dians of that section, who were troublesome
last winter, and being more remote, have less
fear OF The troops. 1t would do those red skins
some good, and perhaps save the settlers some
cattle, if the aative Americans of Pitt River
were to see among them the pride, pomp, and
circumstance of glorious war, which l had the
satisfaction of witnessing to-day am told this
movement to the u.ountains is to be made very
soon. So perhaps you had better not say any
thing aboutit, lest you may change their minds
b. your newspaper suggestions. for, between
you and me- military men don't like to bc talked
to in that fashion. Civil interference with the
army is not in accordance with martial law or
military etiquette; though if you were to drop
a private line to Gen. w Wool-whom you will find
with his head quarters IN the saddle" some
where in the Sierra Nevada, or getting up some
political prosecutions i'll San Franeisco-and tell
the General that the move in question would add
to his popularity. then sir. rayther guess and
calk late it shall be carried into effect forthwith
Having the drill, | took drink with the
Lieutenants, a fine jolly set of fellows, q hope
they will continue agreeable when they get
to be Captains and Majors and came on here,
where concluded to write yon these thoughts
for the benefit of whom i, may concern.
Yours, SANtvEL.