The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-09-26
Our Army Correspondence.
LETTERFRoM MISSISSIPPI.
FROM THE FOURTH REGIMENT.
HEADQUARTERS 4TH REGIMENT, M. w.,
In Camp near Jacinto. Mass: I
Sent. 9th. 1862.

Sept. 9Th, 1862.
Correspondence of the Pioneer and Democrat
GAIL quiet on the Tombigbee, "-put it
up on your bulletin board, for it is the very
latest from this quarter. We are all tired
of reading the every day announcements of
"all is quiet at Memphis" "Colonel Sib.
ley is at st. Peter with his forces" and
now give us change. Put in your next,
"All quiet on the Tombigbee," for such, 1
assure you, is the case and we intend to
keep things quiet here, for 1--WE will have
peace if we have to fight for it," Thus far
we have succeeded so well and everything
is so extremely dull that I hardly know
what to write you that would be inter-
esting.
see by paper just received IA Chicago
sheet that Colonel Sibley's forces Tor the
advance at least) had reached Fort Ridg-
ley. 1t was "consummation devoutly to
be wished" and we have all been wonder
ing what be was doing at st. Peter so long;
but then it is not soldiers duty to criti-
else the movements of commanders, so I'll
forbear.
We are also informed by the papers that
Senator Wilkinson is in command of the
forces against the Chippewas. Know,
then, that the Minnesota portion of this
army are enthusiastic in the war cry of "On
to Crow Wing" Let the members of the
legislature assemble and urge the "On to
Crow Wing" policy. The Indian guns of
the Chippewas are not half SO dangerous as
were the guns of Manassas, so let the war;
like Senator not hesitate, but "On to Crow
Wing" The last time saw the Senator
he wore upon his head tall white
beaver" l would respectfully suggest to
the Committee upon the Conduct of the
War the propriety of his leaving that be-
hind, as anything white makes a conspicu-
Gus mark and it might endanger his life,
and the country cannot spare him yet.
Seriously speaking, however, do you not
think that unless proper measures are taxi
en- and all these "latter day devils" are
driven from the State forever, that we may
as we'll bid good bye to emigration for the
next ten years to come. Stop all annuities,
say. Let the legislature pass an act au-
thorizipg the killing of an Indian wherever
he may be found. If necessary pay
bounty for their scalps and people will have
some assurance that their lives and property
are safe and that they will not come back to
harrass our frontier in future. You know
how quickly our neighboring States below
seize upon everything in the way of stories
to stop emigration in their own States, and
unless these Indian troubles are managed
rightly, they will make an argument of it,
and use i with effect.
1t might not be uninteresting to you,
perhaps, to know how the Fourth Mime
sofa is prospecting. In the language Of
Massachusetts, great statesman, "we still
live," or what would perhaps be more
appropriate term, aoe are still ali0e, and l
tell you that after being baked all summer
under a Mississippi sun with our share Of
hard marches and half rations, Qor the
Commissaries will get short some times,)
we are quite satisfied to be able to remark,
"How pleasant it is to know that we exist"
There has been considerable sickness in
this army this summer, and our Brigade
has suffered in common with the rest
There is a general improvement of late, and
l hope and trust that the sickly season is
nearly over. This is as God-forsaken a
country as man ever set eyes upon, but l
will not commence to abuse it, for am
satisfied that no language of mine could do
it Justice. Col. SanborD has been in cons
mand of the Brigade at least half of the
Summer and has filed his position in man.
ner highly credtable to himself and satis-
factory to all the regiments of the brigade,
and when such is the case, you may rest as
sured that man must perform bis duties
well. The Colonel is indefatigable in bis
efforts, and governs his men more with
kindness than with fear; to make long
story short, he is good officer, ard one
of whom we are all proud. Of Lieutenant
Colonel Thomas, it would be but q
repetition of what is heard every day, to say
anything in his praise. We have lately
heard that he has received the appointment
of Colonel of one of the new regiments.
While we all rejoice at his promotion, we
shall part with him with regret. A kind
and pleasant gentleman, yet a strict dfsci-
plinarian, it will be hard for US to fill his
place with one so universally esteemed. DR..
Murphy, with heart in proportion to his
size, performs his duties with general salts
faction and with good success. Major
Baxter is man we all like, but whose
health is such that we have been deprived