The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-06-28

WHATISTHOUGHT OF THE FIRST
REGIMENT.


REGIMENT.
The first regiment of Minnesota troops
arrived at Chicago, at 6 r. NJ, on Sunday
evening. The Chicago Tribune says edi-
torially Of them, "that they are unquestion-
ably the finest body of troops that have yet
appeared in our streets, representing con-
siderably more muscle than either of the
Wisconsin regiments" We quote from the
Tribune the following account of the arri,
val of the regiment in Chicago
Our city has been for some days past on
| the qui vive to see the first instalment of
troops from loyal Minnesota, expected to
pass through this city en- route for the seat
of war. Their arrival last evening was
heralded by dispatch from our special re-
porter, from GAINESVILLE, end announced by
bulletin from the Tribune Office on Sun
day afternoon, and an immense cOnc0urse of
spectators greeted their arrival at the Chi
cago and Northwestern Railroad, where
they debarked from the cars at 6 o'clock in
the evening.
Gallant Minnesota deserves high credit
for her noble sons, and their appearance yes
terday. They have enjoyed in their make
up that rare and excellent process of selec.
ton and culling from the older States, which
has thrown into the van of civilization the
hardy lumbermen, and first settlers in the
wild. There are few regiments we ever saw
that can compete in Drawn and muscle with
these Minnesotians, used to the axe, the
rifle, the oar and the setting pole, and thus
every way splendid material for soldiers.
Joined to this they have enjoyed excellent
military advantages within the two months
since their enrolment since in place of be-
ing mustered into uniformed and incomplete
camps, under charge of raw officers, the vol.
unteers were ordered to the line of frontier
forts-Snelling, Ridgely and Ripley, there
relieving the U. s. Regulars, ordered to the
East. Thus in barracks, and under COM
petent officers and every way surrounded by
military adjuncts and associations, these
brave fellows have, by industrious drilling,
already gained proficiency unusual in raw
troops.
The following is the makeup of this
Regiment:
There accompanies the regiment seven
teen officers servants, nine laundresses, and
five horses for officers The regimental
outfit is most complete, comprising not only
camp equipage of the best description, but
also picks, shoveIs and @entrenching tools"
of every kind Except Gen. Butler's.)
Two ladies accompany them, one the wife
| of Maj Dixie, who has with her horse for
her own use, most magnificent thorough
| bred. The other lady is Mrs. Adjutant
Leach. A portion of Company A. remain
at Fort Ripley in charge, until relieved by
the Second Regiment, also a portion Of
Company u. is at Fort RidgIey, similarly
ordered.
In accordance with regimental orders,
the troops left Fort Smelling at an early
hour and arrived at ST. Paul at o'clock
A. NJ, on Saturday. They debarked at the
Upper Levee and marched through the city
to the Lower Levee without breaking ranks,
amid the cheers of the populace that lined
the streets and filled the windows.
AT the earnest solicitation Of their. re-
spective parents and relatives, the compa-
MES raised at Hastings, Red Wing, Wab-
ashaw and Winona were allowed on the
arrival of the boat to land and spend fifteen
minutes standing in the ranks. Many of
the men had been absent since the first call
of troops, and the scenes at the landing
were most touching, and the better for
being brief.
The last stopping place was at Winona
at 8 P. M. on Saturday night. Just as the
boat hove in sight, the full moon rose above
the lofty bluffs below the town, and revealed
a dense mass of men, women and children
from the surrounding country waiting to
say farewell. As the Winona company
landed they were literally taken in the arms
of the people. After few sobs and many
"God bless you's!" they came or board, and
the regiment soon lost sight oil the State to
which all can never hope to return.
A portion of the regiment came down the
river to La Crosse and thence to Minnesota
junction. where they took the cars of the
Chicago & Northwestern r. r. The bsl>
aDce came to Prairie du Chen and thence
to Milton junction where they took spe-
cial train on the above named road. These
two trains consisted in all of twenty-four
| passenger cars, and six freight cars. The
steamers on the river were the War Eagle,
and Northern Belle.
! Their entire journey from st. Paul was
made memorable by many and thronging
tokens OF good will on the part of the people
along the route, large crowds greeting them
enthusiastically at every station.
| Reaching this city, unannounced definite-
! ly as 20 time, no formal reception was in
store for them; but the people were out by
thousands and gave them abundant OF proofs
of interest and admiration. The troops
have with them rations for six days, and
| are thus on q war footing as far as depend
ence for fooda upon stations along their
route is concerned. Their arms are the inn
proved Mibie muskets, and they have with
them 900 rounds Of cartridge.