The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-10-18
ur War Correspondence.
Our
From our Regular Correspondent. ti,., an,
CAMP SroNE, EDWARDS FERRY,
'"- October lSt 1861. -

(
'-- October LIST, 1861.
I have not written so often OF late as
formerly-not because ] have been willfully
negligent, nor because thought the public
in Minnesota felt any less interest in news
from what you are pleased to call the "gal'
liant First" but because there have been.
no active war accounts to serve up for the
public mind, now so morbidly given to feed
on bloody engagements with the rebels. 1t
has been oppressively dull on the Upper
Potomac during our stay here we have
had nothing but the empty drum, the meas
ured marches and quiet camp duty for over
two months to indicate that We are at the
seat of war. 1t is true, we hear cannona-
ding in various directions nearly every day,
and occasionally get glimpse OF rebel
squads on the opposite banks of the Poto.
mac; but this only serves to chide us more
in our monotony. When 0,N we get d
battle again When will we be ready for
offensive operations =?
On Sunday we had the first funeral in
camp, and when we recollect that we have
now been 10 service FIVE months, and gone
through such a variety of hardships and
exposures 10 hot southern cline, we must
consider ourselves, as q regiment, extremely
fortunate in having but one death to report
aside from the casualties of warfare. The
deceased is private Chas. Woodwork, of
Company 3D." He was first taken i'll with
the measels, from which he partially conva-
lesced, when he caught cold and typhoid
fever set in and resulted fatally. He died
on Saturday morning, ard on Sunday be
was buried in due military iorm-nearly
the whole regiment conducted his remains
to the grave. His company speak of him
as a good soldier and genial companion.
Memsnto mors.
Private Robert Stevens, OF cur C0mpa-
ny, who was wounded 10 the arm at Bull
Run, anu afterwards had it amputated, has
been discharged from the hospital, and
been with us for few days. He is now in
excellent spirits. He contemplates return
ing home soon, and the boys OF Company
"a, to whom he is endeared by so many
pleasant associations, commend him to the
kind treatment of all Minnesotians.
The news of our gallant Capt. Wilkins
promotion to Major of the Second Regi-
ment, was received by our boys with min
gled emotions of pain and pleasure. While
we regretted to lose an esteemed officer, we
rejoice to learn that be has received COM
mission for which be is eminenty fitted by
his extended military capacity and expert
ence. The boys whom he so bravely led
into the battle at Bull Run, congratulate
him on his promotion TO Major, in which
capacity be will be OF more efficient service
to his country.
We have been paid off again, and with
more means at our command we are making
our camp almost gastronomic paradise.
Many of the boys, however, send money
home at every payment, and now that we
were paid of in part in treasury notes, 1
suppose, ere this, Minnesota is flooded with
this national currency sent from the camp
OF the First. The denominations in camp
are $40 and So.
Some two weeks ago our camp was hon.
ored by the visit of delegation of ladies
and gentlemen from Saltwater. They staid
here two days, saw all the varied scenes of
camp life, and even went so far as to &C.
company the Grand Rounds at the solemn
hour OF midnight. | remember we'll the
long train that constituted tie Grand
Rounds that night. The officers and
guards, followed by four couples of ladies
and northumberland | pronounced it ve,y
Grand Round. Two evenings in success.
cession they houored the streets of Compa-
MES A and b with waltzes, polkas, quad
rifles, etc, and the music of our band, (who
had just then received their new silver in.
struments) was more thrilling, the smoon
shone brighter, and everything combined
to make the moments they spent with US a
green oasis in our camp life.
Yesterday morning Companies A and B
had spirited company drill. At ten
O'Clock Company A fell into ranks and
marched into the Ferry road where inc
doubt by previous arraDgenent) they joined
Company with which they proceeded
into field in front of the camp of three
Massachusetts regiments. Here and in the
adjacent WOODS we drilled for about two
hours in skirmishing which lately has be.
come the main feature oil our company drill.
as we'll as entering largely into our battalion
drill. Well, we deplOyed, advanced, firing
by ranks over the open field, through woods
over fences, roads, ravines, brooks, and did
it all with the facility and skill OF the cele
brated Fire Zouave; who find no imped
ment In fences and rough surface OF the