The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-12-27
MINNESOTA SHARPSHOOTERS

PENCILL1NGs OF AN OVERLAND TRIP TO
LAORossE.-The following comes from an
esteemed friend, who will be recognized by
the initials at the bottom, even if internal
evidences OF its authorship were less strik-
ing:
La CROSSE, Dec. II, (nighD 1861.
The journey from St Paul to Lacrosse IS
| performed with great comfort and safety. In
Burbank's line everything is arranged with or
dar and executed with considerate attention to
every reasonable wish. Buffalo robes are pr0.
vlded; the mess niger is watchful of your com.
tort'-mends bridges, guides and assists in
crossing rivers, ---looks after baggage, and
| above all, civiily answers thousand oues
tions. The roads are good for any country.
tor new country, excellent.
The crossing OF the river yesterday was no
| even unpleasant. Men on the spot, provided
| by the line, were familiar with every inch OF
the track across. The ladies were put into
huge hand sleds as was the baggage, and the
rest, ten Irregular" passengers anu twenty
soldiers followed in single file, by circuitous
route over cakes Of ice, firmly knit by black
! lce' good Aal mile; and taking a capaCious
| and broad boat, at within three OF lUug rods
ct The shore, were soon safely landed in Wis
consin, at point about O. nile from the Black
River ferry.
lie coaches were obliged lJ ioIJ q slough or
two bat with entire SAFETY, and The Jerry D9a5
was running in q channel KEEP. entirely open
and clear on the Back River, and l0ok on.
each with ease.
The change III three years as regards all &C
coUmodation by the way is very great, Pas
4eng-rs spoke with high praise If then cutsl-
tamme4t At led Wing aul the EuG House al
"ucna WIS represented in high panegyric as
perfection itself Even Lacrosse now. as they
said, has redeemed It's reputation, and makes
d home that traveller may be glad 10 find al
| the Augusta House.
What lutte red ne NO. was the j1Gnlle
wonder and delight with which Minnesota mad
inspired one OF my lelloW-rayUllers. lie was
delighted at It's progress il agriculture, espe-
ciaIly, and tn jnyigcg2.ug influence OF It's c..
mate and summed up, again and agai his
comments, by "Miunesota stands first, in nay
opinion, in attraction 10 tie emigralt, @. all
er, intelligent, and practical business man,
Of experience in town and country ana his
Wit and good sense, cueerel and enliyenad the
journey, while bus praises of our own Min.
resota put us beforehand in good humor
with him.
In crossing tA3 river, tuo chief incon-eai-
ence was being driven by ths wind on the
CLASSY ice whether you would nor. The rene
dy, stick with a nail in it, or moccasiu5 or
stockings over boots. Jack Frost viii soon
mend ibis matter, by fixing up winter
bridge.
The Depot at La Crosse has every comfort
and convenience to the traveller Its ap.
pointments are admirable; and after all that
has been done, was pleased To see tna active
contriver and manager there, cur friend r,
whose team and democratic wagon used to be
hitched outside at the platform at all hours Of
the day and night, backing out Il covered bug
gy from snug little BAN, at half past ten at
night an early hour for him to leave.
The twenty soldiers who bore us close compa.
ny al! the way down, were with al exception OF
two, noble looking fellows and CATER due de
duction for the influence ofamonth or tWo away
from home, in the Incidence and with loss Of
home Influences OF Smelling, and without Il
Sabbath,) it is only justice to say that they
were exceedingly civil and vel behaved 4
thoughtless, prOiane use OF the hottest and dear
est names, was the exception. Oh that they
would mend the faal5-but two out of the
dozen stage drivers Of the route, and they the
youngest Of them all, far out did the soldiers,
IA this poor apology for manliness and cour-
age and decision-this hideous counterfeit of
manly energy. Poor follows, the muscle Of
our State,--which she can lily spare MAY
He whom they thoughtlessly dishon0r, watch
over them, and bring them to realize again the
dreams Of many night of soldier life--in the
kiss and embracing arms of the little ones they
have left behind them.
The weather has been delightful, aud the
Journey thus far pleasure.
The chan anchored in home of eight
years, grows sensibly longer, "at each re.
move;"--and / cannot realize that all my
cares, anxieties and labors, are not still and
always to be directed to the completion OF
what have been there begun.
Yours. I.V.V.I.