The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-07-12
FROM WESTERN VIRGINIA.
A Minnesotian with Gen. MeClellan...
A Journey from Chicago to Grafton--
The Ladies---Gen. Mcclellan ---Ar-
rest of Diss abstraction
of troops.

of troops.
From our Regular Correspondent
GRAFTON, VA, June 26, 1861.
May be few items from Minnesotian
"a soldier in the ranks OF the army to pre-
serve the Union,-will be found interesting
to your readers. On arriving at Chicago
from New Orleans, learned that the Min
nesota troops were ordered to garrison the
forts, and wishing to see immediate active
service in the field, l conc uded not to join
them, but to seek some company that would
soon be ordered into the field. A company
of picked rihemen was forming in Chicago.
1 was examined and admitted to its ranks.
We proposed to the President to arm and
equip ourselves, at no expense to the gov
eminent, and toserve during the war as an
Independent rifle company, somewhat after
the Texan Rangers" We were accepted
and ordered to report to Gen. Mcclellan.
We are armed with Sharpes improved
breech loading rifle with sword bayonet.
Our arms and equipments are very COM
pete, and were furnished at the expense OF
Solomon Sturges, Esq, of Chicago. We
were sworn into the United States service
for the war on the 18th inst, by Captain
Pritcher, of the United States army, and
carefully inspected by Gen. Mcclellan on
the following day. He was sopeased with
our appearance and equipments that he i'm
mediately detailed US to act as bis body
guard, and on special service, which we pre-
fer to being swallowed up in regiment.
We received marching orders on the 18th
instant, and left Chicago same day to meet
Gen. Mcclellan at Cincinnati. AS the
company marched through Chicago to the
cars cheers and applause arose from the
citizens at every step, nearly every member
being resident of that place. Just before
marching to the cars 1 had the pleasure of
meeting with number of friends from
Minneapolis, Messrs. Aldrich, Cornell,
Baldwin, w. S. King and Nutting. One
desired me to bring back a lock of Wise's
hair or one of jeff. Davis ears, for the
Minnesota Historical Society. Another's
parting blessing was, )" Give 'em hell, Rus
sell!
Arrived at Cincinnati early on the morn
ing of the Goth, and had "something" at
the Gibson House. The company attracted
a great deal OF attention while on its way
through the city. Here we received orders
to proceed right on to Marietta, and left
Immediately. From Cincinnati to Mari
eta our journey was one continued ovation,
cheers and blessings, smiles and flowers
all the way. The following is specimen of
the notes attached to the flowers presented
the soldiers by the ladies at the various
towns and stations:
ssTo A NORTHERN VOLUNTEER:
"Success to the glorious patriotism mani
"fested by the young Americans OF the North.
"May your efforts be rewarded with victory.
"Face the enemy, and if you fall, thank God
{. for the privilege of dying in defense OF the
honor and glory of your country.
Accept the prayers and best wishes of
JENNIE LATTER,
.Rosabele, Ross county, Ohio"
We arrived at Marietta, early on the
morning of the 2lst, and were marched i'm
mediately aboard steamboat, of which
there were several at the levee already filled
with troops. About ten o'clock, A. NJ, six
boats steamed down to Parkersburg, dis
lance of twelve miles, closely following one
another, and making splendid sight. We
found Parkersburg completely under mill
tary occupatlon-guards pacing all the
streets, night and day. Here three wagons
and teams were purchased for the Sturgis
Rifles, Indicating that we were to make
land marches before long. While here a
hotel landlord refused to sell dinner to
one of our men, private, while officers and
citizens were eating, and still more room at
the table. The private, being Chicago
gentleman of property Offered fair price for
the establishment, intending to put in a
Notherner and run it during the war, and
gave the landlord his choice, to take the
price offered, or close his house instantly
and, the +" Rifles" being about, his house
closed, and remained so while the Rifles re.
manned at Parkersburg. The Union senti-
ment seems pretty strong there.
We left for Grafton on the Baltimore and
Ohio Railroad on Saturday, 22d instant,
passing through very rough and thinly
settled country, but which improved as we
approached Grafton, There are tWentV>
three tunnels between these two places, a
distance of los miles. The Stars and
Stripes were waving from nearly every house
along the road. But as there are secession
lists among the people, every mile of the
railroad is guarded and particularly every
bridge, one OF which was burned down a
few days since, but is now rebuilt, and the
incendiary awaiting his trial in Parkers-
burg.
Grafton is located upon both sides of
Valley River, a branch of the Monongahela,
and at the junction of the Parkersburg