The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-10-18
THE WEEKLY PIONEER AND DEMOCRAT.

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the use of volunteers, has been given to
many, and from letter Of Lieutenant
WEIGH, now q prisoner in Richmond, it APP
pears to have afforded consolation to the
youthful Garrison, who from the effect of
wounds received in battle on the 2lst of
July, at length died IN prison house of the
enemy. iaat -
The morals Of the camp, without doubt,
are susceptible of Improvement, but never
have seen village of thousand male
adults, exposed to fewer temptations, con-
Quoted with the same propriety. The vice
of profanity, which Washington so fire.
quentIy censured in decided language, has
been rife, but it is not now so perceptible.
The men, when allowed to visit the neigh.
borhood, generally maintain their self
respect, and conduct themselves as becoming
citizens of Minnesota and of the United
States. The fact that eighteen hundred
letters have been forwarded in one week by
the soldiers to their friends, indicates the
intelligence of the regiment.
After the repulse on the field towards
Manassas, our soldiers, who had attacked
the extreme left of the Confederate forces
with so much spirit, were physically ener.
waited, which was increased by the weari-
some and night~long retreat to the Poto.
mac. While thus enfeebled, an idea was
circulated that they were not legally bound
to serve as volunteers for three years, and
that they could be discharged as three
months men. The effect of this for time
was most unhappy, and it was feared that a
large number might SO far forget pride, honor
and a sense of moral obligation as to disgrace
themselves and their State. With return.
ing strength of body, however, men become
again clothed with right minds, and now,
in high tone and esprit du corps" are ex-
celled by few of the volunteer regiments in
the army OF the Potomac.
To increase cheerfulness and morality,
would suggest the formation of Company
Glee Clubs, and choirs of sacred music.
Further, l would suggest that the friends
of the soldiers furnish the means of supply.
ing each company with light and portable
libraries, containing standard works of
history, poetry, biography: and morals. Of
course it is undesirable that regiment in
the field, liable to move from day to day,
should be numbered with weighty books
but duodecimos could be furnished tor each
company sufficient to fill two cartridge
boxes, the lid of which may be secured by
lock and hinges. A soldier of literary
taste might be appointed by the Captain,
Company Librarian, whose duty it would
be to attend to the loaning and proper
transportation of the books. In this way
the regiment could have ready access, during
the long winter nights, to library OF about
two hundred and fifty choice works, and
not be Inconvenience by their bulk.
By the kindness of Providence, the skill
of our surgeons has, thus far, resulted in
saving the lives of all those who have been
inmates of the Regimental Hospital, and
thus the chaplain has been spared the pain
of conducting the solemn service of sol.
dier's funeral. OF the number that were
wounded in battle, and taken to the Gene
raj Hospital at Alexandria and Washing
ton, but one, Corporal Scofeld, of Com
pany F, has died. Probably not a regi.
ment in the service has been so exempt from
mortality by disease.
The hospital fund entrusted to my care
the contributions of the churches, benevo-
lent associations, liberal men and women O.
Minnesota, has been judiciously applied, un'
der the direction of the surgeons. About
three hundred dollars have been expended
fifty of which was used in the purchase Of
cots for the hospital.
In the place of straw, and the damp
earth, Gar sick now possess beds, for COM
fort unequal!ed by any in the officers
quarters.
In concluding my report for the quarter
ending last evening, the 18th instant,
would bear testimony to the cheerful CO..
operation of the field and company officers
and the uniform manifestation of respect on
the part of the soldiers.
am, General, with respect, yours,
E. D. NELL,
Chaplain First Minnesota Regiment.