The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-11-22
QUIZ ARMY CORRESPONDENTS,
s A sHARP.sHOOTING LETTER.
of the Pioneer and Democrat:

~
Correspondence of the Pioneer and Democrat:
WASHINGTON, D. c., Nov. 10, 1861.
1t is now about month since last
wrote to the readers of the PIONEER AND
DEMOCRAT, and thinking that few lines
from this quarter would not be amiss, l
therefore concluded to write again.
wound up my last letter by stating that
Captain Peteler's Company of Sharp'shoot-
ers had arrived here from the Northwest
State, and l commence this one by stating
that the same Company are still here
They are now known as Company A, I'd
Regiment U. S, IS. San honorable posi-
ton, which, however, they really deserve,
as they are certainly fine body of men,
and already drill in skirmishing far better
than many other older companies on the
ground. In fact, they are hard to beat,
and certainly do credit to the State they so
ably represent.
But two other companies have arrived as
yet for the I'd Regiment, they being, l IN
derstand. from Michigan and Pennsylvania.
They are encamped adjoining US, and the
members OF the two regiments intermingle
freely, especially when there is anything in
the style of sport going on such for in
stance as dancing, singing, wrestling, Jump.
ing, running, &c. About week ago. your
correspondent repaired to the quarters of
the Minnesotians, on Dacotah Avenue, and
requested the assistance OF dozen or more
to help few members of the g Badger
Company" go through the peculiarities of
a regular Indian war dance, at the quarters
of the Albany Company, around large
cedar tree whicl hid been fired" 1t
having been noised about what was going
to happen, large crowd was soon assem-
bled at the " scene of operations" and while
awaiting the approach OF the " redskins"
amused themselves with piling on the tree
tops, thereby causing long streak of fame
to rise upward, lighting up the darkeued
camp, and causing the sparks to fly about
in mid air, not unlike some prepared
fireworks. At the same time, loud
huzzas rent the air, followed by "rooster
growing" and strange noises generally.
Finally the cry is heard" the Ingines are
COMM" and presently an opening is made
in the crowded circle, and headed by the
Chief Lawrence Prescott of Fort Sneling)
who, by the way, is genuine half-breed-
a dozen Indian looking creatures appear in
side the ring, enveloped in white blankets,
faces desperately marked, and with head
dresses of green cedar twigs. Then the
grand "pow-wow" commences, and what
with scalp-dances, corn stalks, and Yankton
war whoops, all winding up with an address
10 the Sioux dialect by the cheiftain, the
spectators generally, especially the Eastern
ers, appeared well, sati6sed with the enter>
tainment prepared for them by the Dakota
representation. Thus it may be seen that
we have some fun here, when We are not
engaged in the more important duty of
drilling. We have not as yet obtained our
rifles, but expect them before great while,
probably in the course of a couple of weeks.
They will probably be Sharp's patent or
Colts" five shooter" which latter on being
tested here, was pronounced by our Colonel
an excellent weapon it has bayonet, and
looks much like a musket.
We have bee1 visited here at different
times by Governor Ramsey and Senator
Wilkinson OF Minnesota, and other Cover
nors and distinguished persons from other
States, amcng them the gallant and never~
to be-forg often Rhode Islapder-Governor
Sprague. Our movements in the battalion
and skrmish drills appeared very satistac-
tory to them, and in several instances coz
siderable surprise was expressed By those
visiting the two regiments, at the excellent
discipline the compan les are in, for so short
a term i instruction The fact OF the mat
ter is, that We are getting to be in good
| fighting trim, and when We become armsd
| and are marched off in the advance as scouts
and pickles. the enemy will please not get
in the wy, otherwise some QUE may get
| hurt.
] have 10 news at present, except such
as is probably stale to the readers of the
leading Minnesota newspaper, and therefore
I'll for the present close.
MINNIE CHIESTEN.