Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-05-07
Great SUFFERING in the Kest-U. s. Sol

Great Suffering an the West-U.- s. Sol
diers Eating their O,on Companions.
The following in an extract from a pri-
vate letter received in this city by the editor
of the Military Argus
Fort PIERRE, N. T., March Is, 1856.
A most horrible affair happened betw cen
here and Sioux City in December last, which
is almost too hideous to relate. Three SOL
diers, named Rigert, Wicker and Cornell,
deserted from Companies ID and III, Second
Dragons, about the first of December, and
started down the river. On their way they
overlook four persons from this place, who
were proceeding in the same direction, and
as self-preservation suggested the idea OF
strength in numbers, they mutually agreed
to travel in company. Up to this time, and
for some ten or twelve days after their June
ture, the weather had been remarkably mild
and pleasant. Afew days after, however,
heayysnows, accompanied with intense cold,
set in, which continued with but little inter
mission forthirty or forty days, during which
time but little progress was made. Atlength
their scanty stock Of provision gave out, and
starvation seemed inevitable, for they were
at least two hundred miles in a direct line
from the nearest settlement.
For six days, without a particle of food,
they continued their course down the river,
but made very little progress towards their
destination. Under these accumulated suf-
ferings the soldier named Cornell died, and
the others, to appease their hunger, cut up
his body and eat his flesh. The following
night one of the civilians died, but as the
party was discovered shortly after, the living
were spared the necessity ofmaking any fur
ther meals upon the dead bodies of their
companions.
They were found by a part of Major
Howe's command, and when first discovered
they were RECALLING themselves upon the
arms and legs of their unfortunate compa-
MONS. The survivors were taken to Major
Howe's camp, and under proper care and
attention have all recovered.
american Tobacco IN Foreign Coun.
ries.-According to a report just submit
ted to Congress from the State Depart
ment, in response to q, resolution of Mr.
Faulker, of Virginia, recently passed by
the House of Representatives, it appear
that American tobacco pays a duty in Bre
men of n per cent. a pound in Grea
Britain Y cents, and 5 per cent addition
al Holland % cents per 22l pounds :
Belgium 81 SO per 221 pounds /; Swedel
5 SO cents per pound; Norway II cents
In France, Spain, SeIlinia Austria AM
Portugal it is a government monopoly.
A~uctioneers. The Commissioners o
Fayetteville have elected Jas. 3. Ferguson
A. M. Campbell and G. E. Leete as Auc
~tioneers for the present year.
Presbyterian Church. The General AS
sembly of this Church in the Unite
States, will meet in New York, on Thurs
day the 18th of May. DR.. l.. N. Rice
Moderator Of the last session, will preacl
the Introductory sermon.
The Proposed National Foundry. Th
Raleigh Standard says
owe learn that Professor Emmons, Stat
G~eologist, who is now in this City, wi
take the earliest opportunity to lay befor
the Military Committee of the House h
opinions-the results of personal observ'
ton and scientific knowledge-as to tt
suitableness in every respect of the locatio
proposed for this Foundry"