St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1861-07-18


running to us with key and a message
tor home from E. Ball, son of near
neighbor, and the sturdy, gallant fellows
marched off two and two i'll very good Or
der, except that as they came near to pass
out of the gate some of them were impell-
ed to break step long enough to cut one
pigeon wing or execute slight double
shuttle.
AS they marched down the steep, circu-
itous, rocky road to the boats they presen-
ted the finest spectacle We have ever be-
held. The bank on which the Fort is
built is precipitous and presents an angle
at the confluence of the two rivers. 1t
must be considerably over hundred feet
above low water mark and crowned with
the grey old stone walls, the most advan-
ced part in circular form; the winding,
rocky road around it; the pathway of the
river glistening like polished mirrors in
those gorgeous emerald frames, and the
long train Of men in white havelocks, rich
red shirts and cleaning arms called vivid
ly to mind the old pictures of Highland
soldiery with which Walter Scott has be-
witched the world. They were marched
two and two on to the boats, each compa-
ny having been sssiged its place, and with
all the rush Of wagon-loads Of provisions
going on, there was no confusion. Those
rolling barrels, or carrying boxes and tents
halted, faced, marched, &c., &c., in regu-
lar military precision.
On the War Eagle, Col. Miller took
possession of the Bar, and set guard over
it early in the embarkation.
In marvellously short time all was
ready. Hasty adicus were spoken
Those On board who were not going, left {;
and those on shore who acere, hurried on :,
the planks were drawn, and with three
cheers the boats moved away, the Nor
thern Belle, with Col. Gormsn's division
taking the lead. ~
Success to the gallant First. We have
taken personal mental portrait of most of
the officers, and a general panorama of
the men that we might be able TO follow
them on their way to glory, death or a
safe return, and will most likely have more
to say of some of them at another time
In the whole regiment we noticed not
more than half dozen faces which bore
the trace Of former habitual inebriation,
and sorry to say two Of these were officers.
We do not think man who is liable to
become intoxicated under any circumstan-
ces, should ever be selected as an officer
His example is ruinous and he may be
drunk at the moment cool head and
steady hand are most needed. Every
man who knows himself addicted to seeing
blue stars occasionally should, in all honor
and patriotism, resign and 80 into the
ranks or go home.
If a misstep is III tic in curRc 5lment, we
shall at once inquire for the position of
two officers and take it for granted until
disproved, that they were at the bottom of
the mischief. We see that Col. Aldrich
has been amongst our troops at Washing
ton furnishing them with whisky, and
would like to know what Colonels German
and Miller were about just at that time :?
Had we been in their places VIC should
have had him arrested as we should any
other whisky peddler, and sent to the
guard house. The only trouble of the
commander arises from few men who
will become intoxicated when they have
the temptation; and there has been one
instance of serious characterization from
this cause, and to have one Of our Con-
gressmen go around amongst them ped
ding the means OF revolt and disgrace and
imprisonment to our soldiers is little too
much for joke. No man should be per-
mitted to bid for political preEerment, by
feeding the depraved appetite Of such SOL
diers as have it, to the danger and disgrace
Of our crack Regiment; and we respect.
fully suggest that Col. Aldrich drink his
own whisky; and that if he brings any
more to camp, Col. German put him un-
der arrest like any other law breaker!
D1ED,-In St. Cloud, July 10Th MTRA LII
child of E. c, and Mary E. Smith.