The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-07-19
CAMP FRANKLIN. July 4, 1861.

CAMP FRANKLIN, July 4, 1861.
To the Editors OF the Pioneer and Democrat.
l addressed you on the 29th ult. will
now commence with June Both.
On Sunday, June 30th, the Washington
papers contained some complimentary no.
tices of the Minnesota First; and through
out the day it was the centre of some con.
siderable attraction. Visitors crowded in.
to our camp during the day and entertained
US with eulogles on the regiment and the
lofty, martial appearance of our staff off.
GERS, and we in turn related our western
hunting experience which so admirably fit-
ted us for picket guard duty and skirmish-
ing. In the afternoon we had dress pa
rade, which was witnessed by thousands of
admiring citizens of Washington and by
officers of other regiments stationed there.
Our routine of daily drill occupied in
Washington six hours three of company
drill in the forenoon and three 10 the after
noon devoted to battalion drill, in addition
to which there was dress parade in the
evening.
In the evening of July LIST, just as the
dress parade was about to take place, the
black clouds which had suddenly overspread
the sky, poured out torrents of rain, over
flowing our camp, swapping everything
within our tents, and some of the boys of
company 3 waded knee deep in the water
which had accumulated over the lower
grounds occupied by them. When the
storm had ceased little, our boys of CON-
pany A, with their overcoats on, and picks,
spades and shoyels in hand, might be seen
Justify at work digging trenches around the
tents, and bitches through the camping
grounds to drain it from the inundation
which visited us, and during this process
many jolly words passed between the boys,
who seemed to enjoy the fun hugely. This
done, and the rain ceasing by degrees, we
spread our blankets on the still moist
grounds, and slept with the usual comfort
until revelle the next morning.
On the morning OF July I'd we awoke to
find the sky clear with bracing Minnesota
breezes greeting us as we issued from our
tents for roll call. Breakfast hour passed,
guard mounted as usual, and at eight o'clock
we were falling into the ranks with no other
anticipations than vigorous morning drill,
when to our surprise, mo, l take that back;
we are surprised at nothing now) we learned
that we were Immediately to proceed to
pack our knapsacks, polish our accoutre
ments, and brush up our already glistening
muskets, and to hold ourselves in readiness,
at short notice, to march-where? Some
said we were going to Alexandria, some to
Fairfax Court House, others to Matthias
Point some expressed the opinion that we
were to form part of an advancing column
to Richmond, while others thought it prob
able that as the national anniversary was
approaching we were to proceed into Vir-
ginia to teach the rebels how to celebrate
our national independence. Well, we had
forty rounds of cartridge issued to US, and
days rations safely lodged in haversSfks,
fatigue caps for the whole regiment, and
copies of gilt bound New Testaments
(many thanks to the thoughtful ladies of St.
Paul) distributed to Company A. After
which men and officers, from Colonel
German down to the corporal of the
Pony Squad" waited in eager cxpecta
ton for orders to march but hours passed.
tattoo sounded, and yet 10 orders came
During the day, in conversing with some
of the District militia, learned that our
regiments in Washington had been under
similar order for the last three weeks. Our
boys, however, generally appropriated this
fortunate opportunity to write home to
their relatives and friends-and make their
wills, probably-while Hon. VIM. Window
was busily engaged during the greater part
of the day in writing and supplying the
boys with ranked envelopes. He told us
that when in our march southwark we were
10 want of franked envelopes, which oul
Minnesota members kindly furnished us, We
were to take some Southern MICS pris
oners, and make it their special duty tc
frank our letters.
The morning of the Sd, cool and pleasant
found us still in camp but Immediately
after breakfast the tents were torn dowr
and packed, which was another step, We
thought, towards advancing. One by one
the baggage wagons entered our camp, and
our hopes revived. At about halfpast
eight we received the orders, and marched
through the most direct streets to the Navy
Yard. Passing by the District militia, sta
| ~,.orl @box, olo mad fho;r no pdc q