The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-07-19
From the First Minnesota Regiment

From the First Minnesota Regiment.
The Saltwater Messenger has a CORE
spondent with the first regiment, who writes
both racy and interesting letters. From
his last letter, at Washington, we quote a
few extracts
Colonel German is enforcing strict dis
cipline, and all who wish matters to 60 on
in proper shape are rejoiced thereat.
While many members of other regiments
located in this vicinity 60 around the city
at will and do "whatever their hands can
find to d." be it good or evil-in many
cases insulting unprotected females. break
ing into barrooms and disreputable houses,
and raising old Nick generally-our boys
behave themselves like gentlemen every
where, remembering that they are the rep
resentatives at Washington tor the State of
Minnesota.
The commissioned officers of the regiment
cannot leave the encampment during the
day without notifying the Colonel OF their
intended absence. When they wish to re-
main over on leave during the night they
must obtain written permit from the ex-
Governor. A few privates from each com.
pany are allowed to visit the city between
| drill hours each day-no private or COM
| missiOned officer is permitted to be away
from camp during drill hours or at night.
To prevent such of the boys as may be dis
posed to follow the poor example set by
the more reckless members of other regi-
ments, an order has been given which
amounts to this : II any member of the
regiment behaves in an improper manner in
the city, or gets drunk, or attempts any
mean tricks towards other members, the Or
derby and well disposed members are au-
| thorized to arrest the offender and deal with
| him when, where, and how they please.
In addition to such punishment as he may
receive by virtue of this order, be is to be
detailed tor double guard duty.
The programme of regular duty now in
force here is as follows: Reveille at ~ A.
NJ, roll call at 5, breakfast at 6, fatigue at
81, guard mount at 7, regimental drill at
to 10, company drill from 10 to IL, din
ner at IL M, company drill from 3 to P.
NJ, regimental drill from to 6. supper at
81, dress parade at 7, retreat and roll call
at shutdown, roll call at 81, tattoo at 81,
| taps lights out) at 81. On Sunday we
have no drill except at dress parade. Sum
day morning we have inspection of arms
| and equipments at o'clock and divine SER
vice at lOH o'clock. Previous to service
the Articles of War are read at the quar-
tiers OF the respective companies.
The number of men detailed daily for
guard duty is sixty three-the number of
forts twenty one. They remain on guard
twenty four hours, being divided into three
reliefs, each relief serving two hours on and
four hours off, or an actual duty OF eight
hours for each man. Guard duty here is
very different from guard duty at the Min
nesota forts--where all sorts of privileges
we're allowed, here the most strict examin-
| alton is made; there we were told to call
the sergeant of the guard should any one
attempt to force the line, here we are told to
shoot.
1t has been ordered that we commence
target practice as soon as convenient, each
day. at distances varying from IS to 400
yards. The target used is to be twenty
two inches In width and five feet 10 height.
We will begin this exercise soon.
We are now drilling exclusively in light
infantry tactics, according to Hardee, in
which we are making considerable progress.
We have also commenced learning the bay
onet exercise. We are evidently intended
as skirmishers.
Every company but our own 1.-THE Still
water company in the First Minnesota,
have from one to four women each. They
are wives of privates, and go as nurses and
laundresses for their respective companies.
Won't some good looking mans wiie-I
mean some mans good looking wife-vol-
unteer in company B, and share with us
the pleasures and privations of camp life?
Don't all speak at once-orly four can be