The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-10-25
LETTER FROM a M1NNEsOTIAN IN
sgo BRRDAN'S RIFLES. asp II
CAMP OF INSTRUCTION.
2 WASHINGTON, d. O., Oct. 10, 1861.

To the Editor Of the Pioneer and Democrat. .r 4
Being somewhat rainy this afternoon, it
therefore gave me few leisure moments to
think over old times in the Big Woods Of
LIE Sueur, in the Cloudy Water Country.
While thus engaged, the thought struck
me Of writing few lines to my favorite
newspaper. 80 that my many acquaintance
in the, counties of Ramsey, Dakota, Scott,
Rice and LIE Sueur, may know what has
become of one of the Claim Hunters Of
Shantygrat in the years 56-7-8. So 4
make commencement, Ia beginas follows:
Although, as have understood, there was
no immediate application made to Cover
nor Ramsey for a company of Sharpshoot-
ers to represent the State of Minnesota,
lowing to the latter State not having fur
nished six regiments for the wary 10, Col.
Berdan's Regiment Of United States Sharp
shooters ); yet is the Great Northwest
State, represented by at least two persons !;
members Of the Wisconsin Company (G),
which is at present encamped here, prepar,
ing by constant drilling in rife tactics,
which is similar to the Zouave drill, for
more active service, who will endeavor to do
their part towards keeping up the fame of
their State, in matters of which the Rifle
constitutes no inconsiderable portion. And
as the many readers of the PIONEER AND
DEMOCRAT would probably like to know
who the two persons are who see fit to
place themselves on the record as represen.
tatives of Minnesota 10 the band OF Rifle
men above named, I'll state that one of them
is G. 81. Townsend, of Sibley county, who,
on being tested at Madison, Wis coran,
fred FIVE shots 10 succession in tenainch
ring at forty rods distant, making the shor:
string Of 81 inches total. The other is
your correspondent, who will endeavor to
send occasional letters to the PIONEER AND
DEMocRAr, while off to the wars, should
anything interesting turn up. Our present
camp is situated on pleasantrise Of ground
about l u miles north Of Washington city,
near where the Ellsworth Fire Zouaves
once held forth, and appears to be we'll
adapted for the style of drilling we are "put
through to fit us for the business we
were called out for. There are here
with us in the Regiment, companies
representing Vermont, New Hampshire,
Michigan, and New York. The latter
State sending three one German, an Alba>
ny county, and two Long islanders. The
Wisconsin company has been here bow
about two weeks, and are fast becoming
accustomed to military discipline. Our
rifles will probably be Sharpe's latest patent
although some of the men may carry
telescope guns. The Colonel of the Regi-
||aaens, Col. Fl. Berdan, is noted as crack
mot, having on many occasions put himself
to the test before crowds Of spectators. A
few days ago while atstarget practice,tbe
Colonel put Eve successive, shots within 7
ten inch ring at q distances of 555 yards Clio
'rods) A shot wss fred BY the accomplished
lady Of Major Rowland. at the same dis
lance, which made aclose call Oh the centre.
The shooting was done from rife pit, with
guns weighing from twelve to eighteen
pounds. with telescope sights. The New