The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-12-27


LAORossE.-The following comes from an
esteemed friend, who will be recognized by
the initials at the bottom, even if internal
evidences of its authorship were less strik-
ing:
LA CROSSE, Dec. IL, (night), 1861.
The journey from st. Paul to Lacrosse IS
performed with great comfort and safety. In
Burbanks line everything is arranged with Or
dar and executed with considerate attention to
every reasonable wish. Buffalo robes are pro.
vided; the messenger is watchful of your com.
fort--mends bridges, guides and assists in
crossing rlvers,-.-looks after baggage, and
above all, civily answers thousand cues.
lions. The roads are good for any country.
TOR new country, excellent.
The crossing OF the river yesterday was no
even unpleasant. Men on the spot, provided
by the line, were familiar with every inch of
the track across. The ladies were put into
huge hand sleds, as was the baggage, and the
rest, ten irregular" passengers and twenty
soldiers. followed in single file, by circutous
route over cakes of ice, firmly knit by black
ice, good half mile and taking capacious
and broad boat, at within three or four rods
OF the shore, were soon safely landed in Wis.
consin, at point about mile from the Black
River ferry.
The coaches were obliged to ford slough or
two, but with entire safety, and the ferry boat
was running in channel kept entirely open
and clear on the Black River, and took our
coach with ease.
N 5c
commodation by the way is very great, Pas
sengers spoke with high praise of their enter
tainment at Red Wing and the Huff House at
Winona was represented in high panegyric as
perfection itself. Even Lacrosse now. as they
said, has redeemed its reputation, and makes
home that traveller may be glad TO find, at
the Augusta House.
What iute ssted me mos was the infinite
wonder and delight with which Minnesota had
inspired one OF my fellow-travellers. He was
delighted at its progress in agriculture, espe-
cially, and tha invigorating influence of its c.
mate and summed up, again and again, his
comments. by Minnesota stands first, in my
opinion, in attraction to the emigrant, of all
the Western States" He was New England.
er, intelligent, and practical business man,
of experience in town and country and his
wit and good sense, cheered and enlivened the
journey, while bis praises of our own Min
nesota put Us beforehand in good humor
with him.
In crossing the river, the chief inconveni-
ence was being driven by the wind on the
CLASSY ice whether you would not. The RENE.
dy, stick with nail in it, or moccasins or
stockings over boots. Jack Frost will soon
mend this matter, by fixing up a winter
bridge.
The Depot at La Crosse has every comfort
and convenience to the traveller Its ap-
pointments are admirable and after all that
has been done, was pleased to see the active
contriver and manager there, our friend R.,
whose team and democratic wagon used to be
hitched outside at the platform at all hours of
the day and night, backing out a covered bug
gy from snug little barn, at half past ten at
night an early hour for him to leave.
The twenty soldiers who bore US close compa.
ny all the way down, were with an exception or
two, noble looking fellows; and CATER due de-
duction for the influence of month or two away
from home. in the Incidence and with loss of
home influences of Smelling, and without o
Sabbath,) it is only justice to say that they
were exceedingly civil and well behaved. a
thoughtless, profane use of the hottest and dear
est names, was the exception. Oh that they
would mend the fault---but two out of the
dozen stage drivers of the route, and they the
youngest of them all, far out did the soldiers,
in this poor apology for manliness and cour-
age and decision-this hideous counterfeit of
manly energy. Poor follows, the muscle of
our State,--whch she can lily spare May
He whom they thoughtlessly dishonor, watch
over them, and bring them to realize again the
dreams of many night of soldier life--in the
kiss and embracing arms of the little ones they
have left behind them.
The weather has been delightful, aud the
Journey thus far pleasure.
The chain, anchored in home of eight
years, grows sensibly longer, "at each re-
move;''--and cannot realize that all my
cares, anxieties and labors, are not still and
always to be directed to the completion of
what have been there begun.