The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-05-16
letter from the Second Company OF
Minnesota sharpsho0 tiers.
wAsHrNaroN; May 2, 1862.

WASHINGTON, May 2, 1862.
70 The Editor Of the Pioneer aad Democrat:
s.a Unless you have otherwise heard, it may
be Of interest to your readers to know
something of the band of Sharpshooters,
who frequented the streets of st. Paul the
past winter and spring. Leaving your city
on the evening of Monday, the 2lst ult., we
arrived at Washington on Saturday even
Ing, the Goth. Nothing extraordinary oc.
Cured on our journey, excepting delay of
full twenty.four hours, and short rations
the last half of the route these may not
be considered extraordinary, but were GER
tainly unpleasant. By some error, one bar.
rel of bacon was lacking, and an extra one
of hard bread was with US in its place. In
seven days. rations for one hundred men
this made considerable difference. Perhaps
the Fourth Regiment got our meat and we
their bread.
The great law of compensation held good,
however, and came to our aid, through the
kindness of Captain Mark Hendricks, the
gentlem anly agent of the Chicago and
Northwestern Railroad. Through his eff.
forts, by teIegraphing in advance, we got
coffee twice day from La Crosse to Pitts
burg. Without it we would have done
poorly enough.
From Pittsburg to Baltimore we Jared
hard-rations failing, (meat entirely gomez
and no cofee--and at Harrisburg, where
we had to lie on the hard floor of depot
over night, the boys were full of complaint.
Arriving at Baltimore about 10 A. NJ, our
spirits were revived by being marched to
the rooms OF the "Union Relief Associa-
tion," where we took two good meals be-
fore leaving for Washington, at P. NJ. This
Association is composed of citizens, and
though aided by Government, yet the PEG.
pie have chiefly supported it and 1 am
informed it has done large business in the
way of feeding soldiers passing through
Baltimore.
No sooner did we cross the Pennsylvania
line, on our way from Harrisburg to Balti.
more, than we found the railroad guarded
by soldiers, who never failed to give and
return cheer. The bridges on this road
were burned one year ago, and many OF the
inhabitants are rebels. At this point the
Sharpshooters became sensitive to tie ap.
probation of the people we passed--espe.
soII 70 hot IF fbo 10 I
not salute US, with handkerchief or apron,
we voted secesh. To the patriotism of
Marylanders be it said that we saw
more Union flags and more other man.
ifestations of loyalty in that State than
in any other through which we passed. This
is undoubtedly owing to the fact that
where the people are divided, partizanship
more frequently shows itself. A citizen of
Baltimore, who appeared we'll informed,
told me that good majority of the middle
ond laboring classes of that city were loyal,
but that the aristccracy and ladies generally
were secesh. In explanation of the last re
mark be said, "The ladies, you know, gen.
orally follow the aristocracy." l think this
unjust of ladies in general, and hope bis es.
innate of the ladies OF Baltimore is false
While half dozen SharpshoOters, who had
washed their handkerchiefs, were drying
them in the sun, sweet little girl came
running from fine residence across the
street, took them from us, and in a few
minutes returned them neatly ironed and
perfumed.
Arriving at Washington about dark, we
were marched to great, barnlike struc.
ture, distinguished for filth and damp air,
where we have all got dirty and many of
US bad colds. Thus far we have taken our
meals I'M an adjoining building called the
"Soldiers' Retreat" where we have been
regularly fed on bread, meat and coffee-the
meat being very salt, hard and unpalatable.
Some fifteen or twenty of the company
have been sick this week, though none very
seriously. The sick are taken to the Sick
Lodge" which is one remove towards
hospital, where good beds and improved
fare are furnished.
The day following our arrival in the city
we were called upon by Senator Wilkinson,
Colonel Aldrich, Clark w. Thompson, w.
s. King, and other Minnesotians. Colonel
Aldrich franks our letters while we are here
Bill King gave dozen of US, the other day,
the only good meal we have had since leav.
ing st. Paul. Such favors mark the SOL
diers friend.
Captain Russell has allowed us many
privileges in the way of sight seeing since
we have been in Washington, most of the
company having visited the points of spe.
cial interest in the city. With many diff.
culties to encounter, he shows himself
anxious to favor his men, and at the same
time make them efficient soldiers. We have
received many compliments on the journey,
and since our arrival here, based upon our
appearance and behavior, which, on the
whole, believe to be creditable. Owing
to the wildness of few of our boys, /
presume it would be impossible for many
citizens of St. Paul to believe we would
ever become an orderly and civil company.
This morning we were paraded with
knapsacks packed, received three days RAJ
tions, and were on the point of starting Tor
Fortress Monroe, when, failing to connect
in some particular, the order was counter.
"a