Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1861-12-04
LETTER FROM PORT RIPLEY.
FoRr RIPLEY, MINI,
NJ, 0g 1891

FORT RIPLEY, MIMI
Nov. %, 1861.
Mr.. EDITOR 1t would be, perhaps, as
suming an understandable degree OF igno-
norance on the part of your readers, for me
to undertake to tell them where Fort
Ripley is, but let it suffice to say, that it is
on the confines OF civilization, somewhere
between the North Pole and st. Paul, the
two well known points of Celestial and
Americo-terrestrial reckoning, particularly
the latter, as the great central and future
North American Capital.
Fort Ripley is occupied at present. both
within and without the garrison-rlvaling
the white tented fields of the Potomac In
beauty, splendor and quietness-all arrang-
ed and equipped by General Frost, but now
fully and highly disciplined, under the able
and efficient commander, General Snow,
who has gone into winter quarters here, and
is to be seen every day about the Fort, COW
ering the earth to the depth of twelve inch
es or more.
However, Generals Frost and Snow al~
low Captain Donaldson, with his Company
G of the 4tb Regiment Minnesota Volun-
teers, to occupy some hooks and corners
about the Fort not yet occupied by them.
The officers at this post are learning their
duty with commendabe zeal and perseVer'
ance drilling their men SO much that they
hardly have time to attend to the necessary
duties of the post. to say nothing OF keeping
it in repair.
The Quartermaster, 1t. Donaldson, is a
man of a good deal of vim, better capable
of understanding and managing the Quar-
termaster's business, than many who have
seen more service than he. DR.. Wren, the
able and scientific Surgeon, is the attending
Surgeon of this post, and to know how well
he understands his duties, is to know the
state of the health of the command.
think it would be well for some OF this
command to go on campaign. They would
then learn what it is to be a soldier, and
that it is not to fare sumptuously every day
as at Willards or the Astor House.
Some of the men think they have been
deceived, or else the Government " or some
body else is cheating them in their rations;
that they shonld have butter, cheese, eggs,
ham, sausage, onions, apples, dried fruits,
etc, etc, I'D l,b,tum, and called upon to do
nothing whatever, as they have &" risked "
their lives to fight for their country, and
keep the Indians in allegiance. Happily,
however, there are but few such; the most of
the command have better sense, and seem
pretty we'll contented.
Lieut.. Donaldson, q few DAYS since. CAD
UureG TWO conrraDands about one mule from
this post, and now has them in close cofne-
ment. These contrabands-in the shape OF
two barrels of whiskey-were on their way
to Grow Wing to await the payment OF the
Indians wher they would come forth from
their hiding place, to be dealt out to "
and his family-the poor old man the poet
treats so tendery. 1t is pretty generally
understood, that there is law against the
liquor traffic that is continually carried on
in this part of the country with the Indians.
There is a class of men who make it the
business of their lives to beal thus unlaw-
fully. One cause of the reckessness of this
class of persons is, that there is one-horse
LAWYER somewhere between here and ST
Cloud, who is gong to send every person
who dares to interfere with this traffic to
Saltwater for a term of years not to exceed
their natural life.
There seems to be combined effort made
on the part of this band OF robbers TO dis
regard the law and authority by intimida
ton. There is no trouble with the Indians
except when they have whisky. If this BIZ
SO, it would be an act of charity, and o.
Justice, that these whisky traders to indians
be shot. Yes, shot
They are no benefit to the community
about them, nor to the State, but curse
especially to the Indians; therefore the ne
cessity and justice to rid the earth of theil
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