The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-06-14
To the Editors of the Pioneer and Democrat


To the Editors of the Pioneer and Democrat
Fort RIPLEY, June 6, 1861.
The first mail after our arrival here clos
es this morning, and will hastily condense
a brief account of our journey to this Fort
from my journal.
After long repeated cheers for the va
rious officers at Fort Smelling, and exchan-
ges of cheers with the several companies,
we entered on our march on the morning of
the 29th ult, proceeding up by Minne-ha>
ha Falls, through Minneapolis and st. An
hony, where we were cheered by the adj
miring multitudes, and finally, late in the
afternoon, pitched our tents at Rice Greek.
The supper--the first meal of our camping
life, consisted of three crackers, piece Of
pork and bean soup or coffee.
We continued through the journey to re.
ceive the same kind and quantity of food
twice day, varied only with some "extras"
in the shape of good sized Murphy" for
each man on one or two occasions. Occa-
sionally little suppressed "grumbling I"
was heard, but we were cheered on by gol-
den promises of something better~when we
got to Fort Ripley. One man in answer
to the comfortable exhortation that we
should wait until we came to Fort Ripley,
said that he had made up his mind ito wait
three years were it necessary"
Two st. Paul boys overlook US at Rice
Creek-camped with US over night and
comforted us spiritually before we were con
signed to the privations and vicissitudes of
camp life.
The next day we proceeded to Elk river,
where we camped at about 2 O'clock P. NJ.
The Journey, though longer, was not more
wearisome, as the boys then less busy with
the scenery around, sought relief in va
riety of positions, some lying down, others
sleeping, and others reading Doesticks,
Plurebustah, Pickwick Papers and other
authors of similar type-such as the
crowded Government wagons would allow.
Thus far the weather had been fair, but
the next day it was cloudy with light
sprinkling of rain just before we reached
Groveland, where we camped during the
night. On Saturday we encountered early
in the forenoon heavy shower OF rain, but
within the canvass covered wagons we were
comfortably secured from getting "wet
through" which would inevitably have
been the case had we been in open wagons.
On Sunday noon we pitched our tents
about eight miles from the Fort, where we
arrived between the hours of and 10 A. N.
yesterday.
On the entrance of our company into the
Fort, the countenances of our boys beamed
with Joy at the hearty welcome they re-
ceived at the hands of the Regulars.
Marching in at common time," we were
soon greeted with an order of ''break ranks
and while the officers were enjoying them
selves at headquarters, probably slipping
glass of wine or champagne,) the hearty
regulars emptied few kegs of lager beer,
and invited US to feast at their we'll set table.
The Regulars expressed their admiration of
our appearance in volumes of praise, and on
the other hand we were no less struck with
establishment at the superior order, neat
ness and brilliant appearance of the regu-
lars, and with mutual admiration we soon
entered into a friendly and jovial intercourse
with them, which will always form sweet
oasis in our memory of the war of 1861.
They bestowed on US presents of many
valuable articles which would be inconve-
nient for them to take with them on their
march eastward, but which are very valua-
BILE to US at the Fort.
Their intensely bright muskets, polished
accoutrements, neatness and martial air, was
not lost on the boys of company A, and it
would have done the heart of any man
good to have seen with what commendable
energy they commenced yesterday morning
to scOur their muskets and polish their &C
coutrements, which had suffered cOnsidera-
bly, since we left Fort Smelling. Every
musket is now so bright that were we to
face JEFF. Davis at once, we would give him
an opportunity to see his own traitorous
countenance reflected, while the accoutre-
ments shine as patent leather boots. Every
boy eXults in the removal to this Fort, and
they say they will not leave it unless Gen.
Scott will take them South to have brush
with the rebels.
The regulars here, belonging to company
G, I'd Infantry, start this morning to Pitts
burg, Pa, there to join the other companies
of their regiment preparatory to marching
South.
The following orders were issued last
night:
HEADQUARTERS FORT RIPLEY.
June 4th, 1861.
GENERAL ORDER NO. 16.
| l. All soldiers from company G, I'd Infantry,
| now on extra or daily duty at this Fort, are
| hereby relieved and will return to duty with
their company. Their places will be supplied
by soldiers from company A, LIST regiment
| Minnesota Volunteers.
2. Company e, I'd Infantry, is hereby re.
lieved from duty at this post, and will proceed
tomorrow on its way to Pittsburg,. Penn.
Subsistence for Is days will be supplied them;
and the A. A. G.. M. at this post will furnish
the necessary transportation to st. Paul, Mimi.
By order of Col. AbercrOmbie.
| ,. G. B. WATSON,
| e. sv," I'd Lieut.. I'd Infantry, Post Adj.
HEADQUARTERS Fort RIPLEY
| June A. 1861,
GENERAL ORDER NO. 70.
Second Lieutenant G. B. Watson, I'd Infan-
try, A. A. Q. NJ. and A. A. G. S., having been
relieved from duty at this post, will remain un-
til the public property has been transferred by
him to LIST Lieut.. H. G. Coates, after which
he will join his company en- route to Pittsburg
| Ia1o Mc(xnwQn nj