The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-12-13

pause Of some continuance. At length the
Colonel remarked:

Colonel remarked:
There is great gull between u.s."
"You say, Colonel" said Mr.. Steele
that there is great gulf between us.
What is that gulf"
The Colonel looked little puzzled.
But presently answered "Well, I must
| own, after all, its an idea"
"Colonel Boone" we rejoiued at NAV
| do for German or French theorists to talk
OF carrying on war or a revolution for an
idea. But the plain and stern Apglo-Saxon
| will demand that that idea include fact, a
reality, principle. We believe as much
as any in the potency of ideas. An idea, so
it be true and great idea, will separate
races as efectually as seas or mountains
interposed. But the great gulf you spoke
of is an optical delusion it's mirage.
What idea is there of such truth and mag
nitude as to separate the jewellers in the
northern and southern portions OF this Re-
public, while rivers, mountains and coast
lines, race, history, religious faith and ma.
terial interests, all tend to unite and cosoli.
date them ?"
This was verging towards delicate
point. A nearer approach to it was pc.
litely waived.
We parted with as much good nature
and cordially as we had met. "Really,
gentlemen said Colonel Boone, " we are
much indebted to you for this visit. It's
very lonesome bere, and little free chat
is great comfort"
We shook hands, expressing the hope and
mistaken faith on our side that the glorious
old Union would ere long include US all,
and the glorious old flag overshadow US !;
which was responded to on theirs by cour-
teous assurances of good wishesand adieur,
| GU reU0ir.
One of the young gentlemen present was
graduate of Harvard, who quietly obser-
we'd that if be were well out of this scrape
be would feel little disposition to NEEDLE
ly enough, was native of Massachusetts
and graduate of Williams College, who
had gone to the distant South as private
tator. 1t was taken for granted by the
| government that he had enlisted under con-
| straint. The oath of allegiance was ten.
dered to him, and his liberty upon taking
it. But he refused. Probably some dark
eyed maiden of the South had more to do
with bis surprising constancy than the cold
and weak negation of secessionism.
A remark of Colonel Boone was report
ed to US, which probably, for its length,
contained at least as true an account of
| the closing scene and catastrophe of the
memorable battle of Bull Run, as Gems
eral Beauregard's official dispatch. II
never in my life," said the Colonel, " saw a
set of men so badly scared as ours were on
that occasion-ercept gours."
A we'll known incident attending bis cap
ture affords collateral proof. An officer in
colonel's uniform, towards the close of the
battle, thrown by the pell nell among our
men, remarked to federal officer g" We
are getting badly cut up." "To what re-
giment do you belong ?" inquired the loyal
officer. "To the Sixth Mississippi"
The prisoner, 30 taken, was our redoubt-
able friend Colonel Boone.
When the severe alembic of history shall
have extracted the simple truth from the
multitudinous impressions, resources and res
miniscences of that anomalous affair, it will
probably appear that the southerners were
I" badly cut up," and thought themselves
thoroughly beaten, till they saw their mis-.
take corrected by the amazing and incred
ible spectacle Of the northern troops run-
ming oaoay. So, like the Medicin malgr0
lua, they found they were conquerors in
spite of themselves. Considering that the
role was forced upon them, they have en-
acted it passably we'll. And yet the tardy
appearance and bashful tone of Gen. Beau.
regards official despatch" shows that he
found it an awkward and embarrassing
business to put on the robes and assume
the airs of conqueror.