The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-02-28
Our Army correspondence.
LETTER FROM THE FIRST REG.
IMENT,
CONTRIBUTION OF ONE HUNDRED
DOLLARS By COMPANY A, TO a WOUNDED
COMRADE-A SINGING REBUKE TO OUR


Information having reached camp through
the press of st. Paul that Robert Stephens,
late member of Company A, and who
lost his right arm on the bloody field Of
Manassas, had received only three votes as
candidate for Sergeant. alarms of the
Senate of the Legislature of Minnesota /;
pursuant to call, meeting of the Com
pany was held for the purpose of express
ing, in the form of resolutions, the sense of
the Company with regard to the treat.
ment Mr.. Stephens has received at the
hands of body of legislators, and to pre-
sent small purse as a slight testimonial of
our regard for him as friend-our respect
for him as genteman-and our admira-
ton for him as fearless soldier and loy-
al citizen.
Sergeant John McEwen was declared
President, and G. S. Drake Secretary.
A Committee OF five was appointed to
draft series of resolutions, viz Sergeant
Nelson, Sergeant Major Pellar, w. L. Van
Wrest w. Ii. Ii. Doo!ey, and q. Henry
Parker. The Committee retired, and after
an absence of about half an hour, presented
the following preamble and resolutions,
which were adopted with scarcely dissent.
ing voice:
WHEREAS, We are panied to learn through
hos Il +hnf I1ln E-t
of our Company, who lest his right arm at
the battle of Bulls Run, Was defeated for the
Office OF ergeant-at-Alms Of the State Senate
OF the present Legislature
AND WHEREAS, He declined the position of
Messenger in the Patent Office at WASHINGTON
Gas we are intormed). relying upon the prom
ised influence Of Governor Ramsey, 10 his fa-
vor, and a just appreciation Of disabled sol
dler's claim on the sympathy and aid of the
Representatives Of the people-who are loud
in their professions of Patriotism as long as it
does not throw any obstacle in the way of
their political preferences; therefore,
Resolved, That we have ever found Robert
Stephens genial as companion, faithful as a
friend, brave in the hour Of danger, always
ready and willing in the discharge of his duty,
and possessing those qualities which merit in
his present disabled condition, public sympa
thy and charitable aid.
Resolved, That we learn with deep regret
the just claims of a noble but disabled sol.
dier, by large majority of the Senate of the
present legislature of Minnesota, while we
shall ever hold in grateful remembrance the
glorious trio who supported our late c0mpan-
ion in arms, with their votes, gaining for
themselves alike the appreciation of their con.
stituents, and the merited respect of every
true soldier.
Resolved, That we request Mr.. Stephens to
accept the enclosed as slight testimonial of
our regard for him as soldier, and of our
sympathy for him in failing to receive the
promised position, by which he would be ena-
bled to secure that independence which is al
ways within the reach of every able bodied
man.
1t was thereupon ordered by the meeting,
that the Secretary be authorized to send
copy of these proceedings tc the PIONEER
and the Press for publication also that
Sergeant Major Pellar be appointed CONS
mittee of one to translate the foregoing into
the German language, and forward it to the
German press of st. Paul for publication.
JOHN MCEWEN, Pres't.
C.S. DRAKE, Sec.
LETTER TO MR.. STEPHENS, ENCLOSING
THE GIFT OF HIS BROTHER SOL.
DIERS.
CAMP STONE, MARYLAND,
February 18th, 1862.
DEAR SIR: The task imposed upon me
is both pleasant and disagreeable one
pleasant in that | am authorized to com.
municate to you the heartfelt sympathies of
our brave comrades for you and whatever
concerns you; and disagreeabe because it
has become my province to speak of a dis
appointment, the cause of which concerns
you intimately, and which we feel called
upon to ccndemo. We left Minnesota full
of life and nope. We considered ourselves
the chosen baud to whom was coEfded the
honor oil a young, vigorous and promising
State Each and all were prompted by u
common impu!se--the common good. All
seemed aware Of the responsibility resting
upon US, and all were determined to do or
die. We brayed the vicissitudes of the
battle field, -~-we were Trustworthy even 10
adversely. Whether we merited the eGcO-
NUNS We have received, let the future de-
m0Dstrate. But it is not mere lip service
that We desire; we have right 20 expect
something more substantial. | speak not
for myself nor for any ore OF my comrades.
1t is in behalf of those who have been disa,
bled in their cou1try's service, and for them
alone, 1 desire to speak. You are one of
them; you are ma.aed for life you have
parted company with an important part of
yourself. This was the result OF no mad
vertence on your part. We all went forth
in the possession of health, spirits and the
hearty good will Of friends and relatives, to
wage warfare in the defence OF everything
that is great and good. 1t was in prosecu
ton of this righteous war that you were
unfortunate. Are you not, then, entitled TO
the sympathy OF all who are good and true?
Have you experienced that hearty sym>
pathy and kindly assistance, which a patri-
otto sense OF duty ought to prompt them to
render? If accounts are true (and we have
no reason TO disbeeve them) you have not
The office Of Sergeant alarms of the Sen
ate, is insignificant when the pecunary
benefits TO be derived therefrom are consid-
ed; but how moment0us, when we regard
rejection or bestowal as proof of generous
sympathy, or chilling indifference 1t is
the more so, when we consider the charac~