The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-05-10
MARCH OF THE SEVENTH TO THE CAPITAL

Incidents at New York, Philadelphia
and AnnapOlis--.The March to the
JunctiOn--Arrfval at the Capital--
Taking the Oath-.A Brotherhood.
I'VE are indebted to the kindness of gentle.
man of this city, for the subjoined extracts
from letter just received from member of
the New York Seventh Regiment. The writer
gives a graphic account of the march to
Washington, and the reception of the Regi-
ment in that city. We have not read, il any
of the Eastern journals, more interesting
narrative of the progress of the gallant Sew.
enth.]
Our march down Broadway was wonder.
fully thrilling and inspiring. The masses
of the people cheered us as Regiment, and
by Companies cheered the officers by name,
and called out the names of the men as they
passed, with exulting shouts of recognition.
People forced refreshments upon us-fow-
ers were thrown over us-purses, with mo.
ney, put into our hands. One lady would
throw down her gloves, another her hand
kerchief, another tricolored ribbon or
rosette. Our knapsacks, which, with the
blankets strapped to them, weigh from
twenty to twenty-five pounds each, were
hardly felt as we marched along with new
nerve put into US by this great ovation from
the heart of the New York people. SINH
lar receptions met US along the route to
Philadelphia. Even till after midnight,
would we find crowds of women, waiting at
the stations, to see the flower of the New
York chivalry as they went to the wars
and when we opened the windows all were
eager to seize our hands, and put in their
cheering expressions.
At Philadelphia we were delayed nearly
all day by doubts. Baltimore was in a
state of excitement and martial law; and
though our boys we're eager to march
through it and have brush with the mis-
creants who had fred upon the Massachu-
sets Sixth, yet it was upon the whole de-
termined to proceed by water TO Annapolis
and force our way thence, through the
country, to Washington. So, in the AFTER
noon, we marched over cobble-stone pave.
ments, and under hot sun, across the city,
to take the transport. We were two days
and night upon the boat, crowded close,
and as uncomfortable as possible, without
sea-sickness. My company was quartered
in the Storage, where the air was confined,
and the odors usual in such places (odors
OF rat and bilge water) saluted the nostrlls.
The water from the wheel dripped upon our
mattresses, and the place was so dark we
had to feel our way about by day as we'll as
at night. My brothers company slept on
the main deck, but without mattresses,
making their beds of tents and blankets
spread upon the timber of their howitzers.
Others on the upper deck were without any
protection from sun or dew, but had fresh
air. Our rations were jerked beef, inter
spersed occasionally with gristly fresh beef
and crackers. Once or twice a little cafe
noir, without milk or sugar, enraptured us.
Then succeeded day of clover and delight.
We landed at Annapolis, and were quartered
in the buildings of the Naval School. The
grounds are very pretty: and the air was
fragrant with fruit-tree blossoms, and the
sniff of sea breeze. Our regular ratons were
little better, but the Annapolitans brought
oysters, oranges and other Injuries, which
we devoured with rapture, having first
compelled the purveyors to taste, as a pre-
caution against poison. (The secessionists
have added poisoning to their other cow
ardly practices.) At noon we had a dress
parade, which was very pretty and we'll
done.
That evening about 10 o'clock, as all
except those on guard duty were strolling
about the grounds, enjoying the balmy sea
air and the moonlight, the arms beat a sud-
den muster call, and both Regiments,
four own and the Massachusetts Eighth,
who encamped with us,) as we'll as the
boys of the Naval School, were under arms
in few minutes. Our officers had receiv
ed intelligence of an attack, and we were
all eager for brush with the enemy; but
our show of strength was too formidable,
and the attack was not attempted. That
night we had rations of jerked beef and
crackers served out for to morrow's march,
and at A. M. the Second and Sixth compa-
MES started upon the march, III the post of
honor, as van guard.
All that day, and the following night,
except for short distance where the road
was practicable for locomotive, we march
ed in company with the Eighth of Massa.
chusetts, along the Railroad track, laying
down rails wherever misplaced, and repair
ing bridges broken up by the enemy, scout
ing far in advance, and on every side, and
pushing before us two platform cars carry