The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-12-06

L
The following letter from Lieut.. CHAs.
L. PERSON, adjutant Of the Goth Massa.
chusetts Regiment, who was taken prison
er at Balls Bluff, and the letter of the Gov.
ernor to Rev. E. ID. NELL, has been handed
to us for publication. We learn that the
Quartermaster's Department will take
charge of all goods for the prisoners, and
forward them by way of Fort Monroe and
Norfolk. Lieutenant PEIRsoN was formerly
a resident of Shakopee, and this may ac-
count for the kind interest be has taken in
the welfare of the captive Minnesotians
RICHMOND, Va, Nov. 18th, 1861.
To Coz. -AleT. Ramsey
GOVERNOR: Not knowing the address of
your Secretary, have the honor to commune.
cate directly on behalf of your men, held by
this government as prisoners of war. As they
have no officers to represent them, and having
been resident of Minnesota, as you may re.
member, have felt it my duty to inform you
of their condition. General Winder, the COM
handing officer here, has signified his willing.
ness to receive and distribute articles of
clothing and money, if sent by the authorities
or by friends. The men are very destitute,
some of them only half clothed, and will suffer
very much during the winter if not relieved,
and in my judgment many of them would not
survive it.
would suggest the following articles be
sent them with the addition of little money
to purchase tobacco, molasses. &C., viz: One
pair pantaloons, two wooden shirts, two pair
drawers and stockings, one pair shoes, one
overcoat and blanket. They are provided with
plenty of bread and beef, but nothing else.
The are obliged to sleep on the bare floor
with only thin quilt for a covering, and
really need the articles mention.
If am here / shall be happy to act as your
agent in this matter, if permitted and shall as
far as in my power, add to the comfort of the
men. l am, sir, with great respect,
Your obedient servant,
CHAS. l.. PERSON,
lst Lieut.. and Adj. Mass. Goth, and prisoner of
war.
STATE OF MINNESOTA,
Rev. E. D. NEIL,
Chaplain First Minnesota Volunteers:
DEAR SIR: enclose you copy of COM
municatiOn just received from Charles l..
Peirson, Richmond, Virginia, Lieutenant and
Adjutant of Massachusetts ooh. Mr.. Peirson
is himself prisoner and makes an appeal in
behalf of such of his fellow prisoners as be-
longed to our First Regiment.
1t was the declaration of persons just return
ed fro m Richmond to Washington, during my
last visit there, that it would be in vain to at.
tempt to send relief of any kind to our men
who are prisoners as nothing would ever reach
them.
From the letter of Lieutenant Peirson, it
would seem the rebel government has chang
ed its policy, in those matters, and that assis.
lance may be sent to prisoners with reason.
able hope of its reaching them. If this be so,
it must be well known to the authorities at
Washington.
May ask you, then, to proceed Immediately
to Washington, on the receipt of this and upon
consultation with such parties as have infor-
nation upon the subject, ascertain whether
Mr.. Peirson is correctly informed; and if so
and the Government at Washington has not
already relieved the wants of the Minnesota
First's men, who are prisoners, and do not fur
nish you with the articles enumerated, pur.
chase them of the Government or elsewhere,
as is best, upon the credit of the State, making
your draft upon me for the amount, and send
them as your discretion may dictate, to Mr..
Person, with full instructions for distribution,
etc.
1t occurs to me you have in your cores.
pondence spoken of the Hospital Fluid con-
tributed by private citizens of this State, as
being more than ample for all the wants of
the regiment as such, owing to the generous
provisions of the General Government for our
sick. would therefore suggest, if in your
opinion the amount required can be spared
from that fund, that the cost of the articles (if
the Quartermaster General does not furnish
them,) and the money RENTED be taken from
the Hospital Fund, in your keeping, in the full
belief such q contribution will be highly graf
flying to every donor; otherwise make your
draft as before stated.
l regret very much the necessity of impos.
ing this labor on you, but we allfeel that no
one will so certainly perform these offices as
our Chaplain of the First.
DIR. LeBOutlier can probably give you the
names of our men who are prisoners in Rich
mond.
Please inform me of your action in the prem.
ises.
Very respectfully,
AK. RAMSEY.