The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-11-22
OUR ARMY CORRESPONDING
LETTER FROM THE FIRST REGIMENT
CAMP STONE, EDWARDS FERRY
November 4, 1861.


Expectations" and other trashy novels
which lie scattered around the tent, have no
atteactions for me to night-the discussions
in the teutonic language, who is carried
on with great enthusiasm by my German
messmates, just now, is not remarkably en-
tertainiDg, for the very simple reason, that
am not yet sufficiently familiar with the
tongue to comprehend the theme, OR admire
their erudltloD-how shall pass the inter-
val to tattoo? The portfolio and other
writing materials lie invitingly before me.
out all ing letters are answered, and | am
just in the act OF withdrawing my hand from
the grasp of the pen, which had instinct.
lively seized on first CHANGING at my portfolio,
when the thought struck me that / should
address letter to the Pioneer and Democrat,
and lnasmuch as | have been somewhat
tardy IL nay communications lately, DO not
long pause 10 consider the pr0priety of re-
cordlng few items from the Minnesota
First. But, grasping pen, paper, and ink,
find myself through long and convenient
introduction before | can collect and arrange
IN my mind the scanty store of news ! have
at my command.
HE most prOminant affair, since the for
ward movement into Virginia at Edwards
Ferry, and retiring back therefrom, which
L briefly sketched in my last, was the review
OF Gen. Germans Brigade or the 3lst ult.
l'he day was unusually bright and pleasant
and cool and inyigorating autumn bree yes
tanned the long column OF bright and hope
| iul countenances, while the rays of the sun
reflected bright little focus from every
little BRASS ornament, or the intensely bright
muskets, winch are always the object CT
soicitous care By every true soldier. The
! scene was dazzling and grand, and eXtortr
cd merlted compliments from our superio.
| officers. On the SAM day we had an in>
/ Spectlon ana muster iOr pay in our regiment
--and we are therefore prepared for the
! periodical reception Of the tardy paymaster
| Our empty pockets and the Inconvenience
OF outler checks for all purposes of trade
loudly pray that he may tiud it convenient
to come speedily to our relief
| BY order OF Colonel Dana, a Board of
Administration consisting of Captains Col
! Vile, Farrell and Lester met on the same
day, Tor the purpose of suggesting what
articles the Sutler shonld procure calculated
to contribute 10 the comfort of the soldiers
and, likewise, to fix the price as the regula
tons require. This: like all other measures
OF our new Colonel, was received by our
brave men with joy; but it is only one Ct
the many evidences OF his vigiiant care and
attention to the wants of his men.
few days ago it was rumored in camp,
that our Colonel was promoted to Briga~
der Generalship but am selfish enough
TO entertain the hope that it is not true. l
DO not hesitate to say, that no other man
could have been found to so successfully
absorb the entire confidence and good will
Vi the men IN so short time, and cOmpar
atively stranger to the majority of our
regiment. In behalf of the Minnesota First,
then, whose career can never be directed by
a more efficient leader, let me repeat the
nope that we may retain Col Dana during
| the war.
Captain Morgan, the senior Captain, has
received his commission as Major, and as
soon as Lieut.. Col Miller assumes the COM
mand OF the Third, it is thought Captain
Farrell will fill the vacancy.
We learned, with some disappointmen.
that the Second Minnesota was ordered to
Kentucky. We had cherished hope that
| they would JOIN US on the Potomac and
| shared with US tn. vicissitudes OF the war.
We have rumor IL camp tonight that we
are destined tor Kentucky this winter mind
you, this is only rumor.
Rev. +. ID. Neil, our beloved Chaplain,
is again with US to preach to US on Sundays
and pray with US at the close of dress pa D..
rade every night
The weather is growing cold--the nights
are uncomOrtably so-and every morning
the boys group themselves around the vari>
Gus camp fires. In some tents we have fire
places. We had heavy raln storm which
lasted tor over twenty four hours last week
aud all military duties, except roll cali and
camp guard which is exceedingly disagree
able unoer such circumstance were sus
| pended.
We are still performing picket duty on
the Potomac. with this difference, however
only one company Is On duty at the same
time, instead OF three as before.
Guard mount has i4reiy become quite an
interesting affair, The wnuie guard OF the
brigade is mounted in strictly military form
Oh our regimental parade ground-a pro,
Cess which CONSUMES about halt an hour,
and during which our excellent band plays
with great credit and fine effect. GROUPS
OF soldiers, not only from our regiment but
from the various camps around, witness the
interesting camp duty.
After guard mount every Sunday comes
the inspection, followed by the reading of
the articles of war-a performance con,
Quoted somewhat similar to the third read
ing of long bills in Legislative body, and
listened to by an equally attentive auditory
the only perez otible difference is, that
soldiers always preserve good decorum,
for which legislative bodies are not remark
ably notorious.
Yesterday made an experiment. had
heard good deal about taking French
leave, and l determined to try it myself.
AS the call was given to fall in and 20 to
hear Rev. E. D. Neill's sermon, lett camp
without leave, of course), and proceeded to
one of the neighbours. who preserves pru
dent silence on all secesh movements--and
here in company with two boys of company