The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-08-23
Our War Correspondence.
MARCH OF TIE MINNESOTA FIRST INTO
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. IN CAMP, &c.
OAMP GORMAN,
SENECA FALLS, August 9.

To the Editor Of the Pioneer and Democrat
l have delayed writing to you from this
place, until our enterprising boys had erect
ed seats and tables around our shade
trees, to better facilitate the usually ardu-
Gus task of writing in camp. This has
been successfully accomplished in the most
primitive style, one end of board being
placed in an indention cut into tree. while
the other rests in the fork of crutch stuck
into the ground, my seat consisting of an.
other board, one end of which rests in the
same indentiOn of the tree, and the other
resting on the ground, forming an inclined
plane. The other tables and seats around
the camp are very much similarly construct
ed. Not being on duty at present, and
consequently not liable to be called away,
with these splendid conveniences at my dis.
posal, can sit down with such serene
satisfaction to write letter to the PIONEER
AND DEMOCRAT as would arouse the envy
of the correspondents of the New York
Tribune, who write in the editorial sane.
tum of that paper, were they to see me.
My last correspondence left US camp.
five miles from Washington. on the Seventh
street plank road, under orders to march
Immediately. Accordingly, the battalion
was formed in line on this road, filed left,
and marched over an exceedingly rough
road, leading over high hills and deep val
leys, in one of which our baggage ard pro-
vision wagons were left behind, unable to
proceed further our two ambulances were
the only vehicles that followed in the rear
of the battalion. We reached our camping
grounds after dark, about one mile and
half out of the District of Columbia, and
in Montgomery county, Maryland, but our
distance from Washington was about the
same as that of our previous encampment.
In consequence of our baggage and provi.
sion wagons being left behind, we laid down
on the damp ground without any blankets
to cover us, and supperless, and after pass
ing restless aud cherries night, we arose
in the morning only to face the same cheer.
less prospect "of nothing to eat" 1t was
bright Sunday morning, however, and a
well cultivated country surrounding US on
all sides, inhabited by wealthy and charita-
BILE Union people; and the gloomy picture
which had presented itself to the boys in
the dark night was relieved by the cheerful
prospects Of the morning. They scattered
in various directions around among the
neighboring farm. houses, many of them be-
ing elegant residences, and abodes o. Ith
and luxury, where they were inss d to
breakfast, and but few were willing to &C.
cept any recompense for their kindness. l
had the good fortune to breakfast with
Mr.. Major, where over score of our boys
breakfasted last Sunday morning, and
among them noticed "Raisins," the corre-
spondent of the Saltwater Messenger, who
will no doubt furnish the press in Minnesota
a graphic description of this Ito many of
us) first meal in the State of Maryland.
They were good Union people, expressing
regret at our disasters at Bull Run, and