The weekly pioneer and Democrat., 1861-11-22
THE WEEKLY PlDNA4R AND DEMOCRAT.
OUR AHzk nRnsponDnnCn.
LETTER FROM THE FIRST REGIMENT


OUR ARMx oOnREsPONDEwcn. {
LETTER FROM THE FIRST REGIMENT.
Car srcFl, EDwARD's FERRY, !
Nd3emberx, 1861. &
To the Editor Of the RfosSN and Dsssecyas: <S,s
The eveniDgsare growing long and tedious.
Dress parade is over. The mail has come
letters and papers are perased. "Great
EExpectations," fand other trashy novels
which lie scattered around the tent, have no
Iatteactions for me to night discussions
in the tentonic language. which is carried
on with great enthusiasm by my German
messmates, just now, is not remarkably en-.
tertaining, for the very simple reason, that
am not yet sufficiently familiar with the
tongue to comprehend the theme, or admire
their erudition-how shall pass the inter.
val to tattoo? The portfolio and other
writing materials lie invitingly before me,
but all my letters are answered, and I am
just in the act of withdrawing my hand from
the grasp of the pen, which had instinct.
lively seized on first glancing at my portfolio,
when the thought struck me that 1 should
address letter to the Pioneer and Democrat,
and lnasmuch as l have been somewhat
tardy IN my communications lately, do not
long pause to consider the propriety of re-
cordlng few items from the Minnesota
First. But, graspiDg pen, paper, and ink,
+! md myself through long and convenient
introduction before | can collect and arrange
In my mind the scanty store of news have
at my command.
Inc most prominant affair, since the for
ward movement into Virginia at Edwards
Ferry, and retiring back therefrom, which
briefly sketched in my last, was the review
OF Gen. Germans Brigade on the 3lst ut.
The day was unusually bright and pleasant,
and cool and invigoratipg autumn breezes
tanned the long column OF bright and hope
ful countenances, while the rays of the sun
rejected bright little focus from every
little orass ornament, or the intensely bright
muskets, which are always the object of
sollcitous care by every true soldier. The
scene was dazzling and grand, and extortr
ed merlted compliments from our superio.
officers. On the same day we had an in>
spectlon and muster for pay in our regiment
-and we are therefore prepared for the
periodical reception of the tardy paymaster.
Our empty pockets, and the Inconvenience
OF Sutler checks for all purposes of trade,
loudly pray that he may fud 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, for 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
tlons require. This. like all other measures
OF our new Colonel, was received by our
brave men with joy; but it is only one cf
the many evidences of his vigilant care and
attention to the wants of his men.
A few days ago it was rumored in camp,
that our Colonel was promoted to Briga-
dler Generalship but am selfish enough
to entertain the hope that it is not true. 1
do not hesitate to say, that no other man
could have been found to so successfully
absorb the entire confidence and good will
OF 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
hope that we may retain Col. Dana during
the war.
Captain Morgan, the senior Captain, has
received bis 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 disappointment,
that the Second Minnesota was ordered to
Kentucky. We had cherished a hope that
they would join US on the Potomac, and
shared with us the vicissitudes of the war.
we have rumor IN camp tonight that we
are destined for Kentucky this winter
you, this is only rumor.
Rev. +. D. Neil, our beloved Chaplain,
is again with Us to preach to US on SUNDAYS
and pray with US at the close of dress pa.
rade every night.
The weather is growing cold-the nights
are uncomfortably so-and every morning
the boys group themselves around the vari.
Gus camp fires. In some tents we have fire
places. We had heavy rain storm which
lasted tor over twenty four hours last week,
oou OIL Wiheoiy UutleS, except roll call ana
camp guard which is exceedingly disagree
able under such circumstances-were sus.
pended.
We are still performing picket duty on
the Potomac, with this difference, however,
only one company is oD duty at the same
time, instead of three as before.
Guard mount has lately become quite an
interesting affair. The whole guard of the
brigade is mounted in strictly military form
on our regimental parade ground-a pro.
cess which consumes about half 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 oflong bills in legislative body, and
listened to by an equally attentive auditory
the only rce2tible difference is, that
soldiers always preserve a good decorum,
for which legislative bodies are not remark
| ah1v nnforiour le- aLt.