The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-07-12
From our Regular Correspondent.
CAMP MINNESOTA,

SA~@S
Washington, Juae 20, 1860.
This is the first halt made since we left
st. Paul, and after our arrival here last
night, l grasp the first opportunity to ad.
dress you my first correspondence from
Washington. The touching scenes of our
departure from st. Paul, have no doubt been
wildly described by your active local, and
my duties as reporter will commence with
the ensuing events.
After the last vibrations of the cheering
multitude we left on the levee had ceased to
echo, and the boys had taken last linger-
ing look of st. Paul, they made themselves
as comfortable on the Milwaukee as cir
cumstances allowed, and many Of them COM
posed themselves into comfortable sleep
so much needed after the exhausting march
from Fort Ripley. The stormy morning
was succeeded by clear sky in the after
noon, and the bright sun added glory
to the June verdure which robed the bluffs
along the Mississippi. The night was cool
and pleasant, and afforded the boys who had
taken up quarters promiscuously on the
various decks a comfortable rest; while
some of the more lucky ones by invitations
from generous passengers occupied state
rooms. We arrived at Prairie du Chen
early in the morning, and while waiting for
the 10 o'clock train had company drill,
which was highly satisfactory to the citi~
zens who gazed on US admiringly. In due
time we were of, and arriving at Mazomanie,
about % miles west of Madison, we were
invited to dinner-a compliment which
the usually hungry state of our stomachs
made US peculiar capable of approaching.
We arrived at Chicago at about P. NJ,
when we Immediately formed into line
and marched through the city directly to
the depot of the Pittsburgh, Fl. Wayne
and Chicago railroad, where we took the 8
O'Clock evening train. Passing through,
the strangers focked around to see where
we hailed from and where bound, while the
citizens and other military companies then
in the city cheered US. Here, as through
out our whole route, they invariably met us
with the complimentary interrogatory,
care you regulars ?" and they appeared
greatly puzzled to reconcile our martial ap.
pearance with the fact that we were volun.
teers. ApropOs, much credit is due to our
gallant officers whose unwearied efforts in
drilling us are already crowned with so
much success, and do not hesitate to as.
sert that every man in our ranks feels as
much pride in becoming efficient soldiers as
be has shown ardent patriotism by en-
listing in our country's defence. Just as we
started from Chicago company of dra.
goons then on the point of leaving for Gin
cinnati, hailed US with three hearty cheers.
We passed over the Pittsburg road
through Indiana and Ohio without any
other accident than delay of about an
hour at Columbiana Station, Ohio, occa.
stoned by the engine being out of order,
which was fortunately discovered and an
inevitable accident by running off the track
prevented. Another engine was immedi.
ately telegraphed for, which arrived in
about an hour. In the interval, Owen
Lovejoy, M. c., from IIlioois, then en- route
for Washington on the same train, made
short address, followed by three cheers for
the Union.
At P. NJ. on the 9th, we arrived at
Pittsburgh, and the hospitality of its citi.
zens manifested itself by inviting US to a
good supper at the Mansion House. A com,
pany of the Home Guards " paraded the
streets, making brilliant appearance. In
the opinion OF your correspondent the city
looks better by gas light than day light,
when it has rather a smoky appearance.
We remained at Pittsburg until one
o'clock the following morning, when we
started on the night train, arriving at Har.
risburg at about half past nine. Having
learned that our regiment had gone forward
to Washington, we pushed forward immed-
ately, to rejoin them there. AT three o'clock
P. NJ. we marched through the long and at
some places highly dusty streets of Balti-
more, where all then was quiet. True Un-
ion flags, and handkerchiefs were waved
from windows and sidewalks as we passed,
and we could see DO secession indication,
where the day previous they were gather
ing in crowds discussing the arrest OF Kane.
A boy, however, was heard at one time
solidarity to cry Hurrah for JEFF. Davis"
and l learn that when COL German passed
through there man who INDUCED in the
the same disloyal expression was knocked
down, and summarily silenced.
We arrived in Washington about five
o'clock P. NJ, having traversed the distance
from Fort Ripley to this place in seven days,
including halt of twenty.four hours at
Fort Smelling, and several delays on the
route. Is it not, Messrs. Editors, the quick
est transportation on record between these
points.
We rejoined our regiment for the review
in the evening, after which we were warmly
welcomed by the firm grasp of our fellow
soldiers hands belonging to the other COM
panies OF our regiment, though they declared
they could scarcely recognize some of US,
who under exposure to the sun, have be-
come a shade less fair than when we en-
listed.