The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-01-10
First Minnesota Regiment
REPORT OF REVEREND ED. NELL. |

CAMP STONE, NEAR EDWARD FERRY, Nd,
December 10, 1861.
Col. N. J. 7. DANA, LIST Regt. MINI. VOL:
SIR: The close of the second quarter Of
my duties as Chaplain of the First Mime
sofa Regiment, finds the harvest past and
summer ended. The malarious influence of
early autumn have fled before the hoar-frost
scattered like ashes every morning, and inn
parting health and energy.
Owing to the variable weather incident
to the preparation for winter in the valley
of the Potomac, the religious services of
the camp have not been held with the reg
ularity Of the first quarter.
Two weeks ago, owing to the chilliness
of the atmosphere at the hour Of sunset, and
the fatigue of men after long drill, on the
ground of expediciency, I reluctantly dis
continued until milder weather the brief
daily prayer at evening parade. In addi-
ton to the regular Sunday service, whena
ever one of the hospital tents was unoccu>
pied by the sick, 1 have lectured on We'd
nesday and Sunday evenings.
If it should be ordered to prepare winter
quarters, would suggest that an appro-
pirate chapel be constructed of logs for the
use of the Chaplain, at some convenient
point within the lines. Experience has
demonstrated that there is but little profit
or consolation in listening to the words of
the preacher, while the soldiers are obliged
to stand in the open air on the frozen earth.
The avowed religious sentiment of the
regiment is feeble, yet the larger portion
treat religion with respect, and toward the
Chaplain deport shemselves with courtesy.
In a spirit of selfssacrifce, truly COM
mendable, benevolent and religious men and
women have largely contributed in the way
of hospital clothing and religious literature,
to the physical and moral welfare of the
army. But as was to be expected, under
the enthusiasm of the moment, zeal has not
always been tempered with knowledge.
Depending upon information from those
who had never once visited our camp hos
pital, nor consulted with the regimental
Surgeons, boxes of double sheets and other
articles, have been forwarded, suitable only
for general tnopial, and which cannot be
tianspor..n ed ON pace to place, owing to
their bulk and weight. 1t is therefore re-
commended that the resources of the phi.
Ianthropic be more carefully busbanded,
and that nothing hereafter be forwarded
unless specially requested by the medical
officers of the Regiment. Two boxes of
shirts, sheets, and towels have been received
from Red Wing and Lake City which have
proved more than ample thus far tor hospi.
tai use. Last week also, intelligence was
received of box weighing more than five
hundred pounds, shipped by the ladies of
st. Paul, early in August. 1t has been hid
for weeks in the wilderness of boxes that
remain in one OF the large depots of Adams
Express at Washington, and was only found
after patient search.
If upon examination by the medical au-
thorities of the regiment its contents are
not absolutely needed. instead of transport
tation to camp, it may be well to present it
in the name of the donor, to one of the
large general hospitals at Washington.
In addition to the ordinary drafts of the
Surgeons, there have been two special ap.
preparations from the Hospital Fund, one
amounting to one hundred dollars for our
prisoners in Richmond, and another of
twenty-five for the benefit of recruit az
ficted with hernia of long standing.
By the kindness of those who try to imi.
tate Christ, the Chaplain early in the sum.
mer was supplied with large amount of
valuable religious reading, sufficient for the
wants of the soldiers. Unaware of this
fact, others of liberal spirit have at some
expense, forwarded to the Chaplain large
package of tracts similar to those already
distributed or on hand
IrreligiOus men, we are told in HOLY
Writ, cannot discern spiritual things, and
will not be satisfied with tracts alone. If
they are not supplied with pure, healthful,
manly and attractive literature, with which
they can occupy the leisure hours. they will
seek those pestiferous books, de6led with
the scent of the groggery and brothel, which
filthy and sneaking peddlers, [" foaming out
their own shame" hawk around the camp.
If, therefore, the money expended in re
duplicating the tracts already circulated
was employed in purchasing company libra.
ries of sound and elevating literature, /
believe the moral welfare of the soldier
would be promoted.
During the quarter Company G has been
supplied with library of more than fifty
volumes, of high character and proper ten.
dency, purchased with money forwarded by
the Rev. Lowren Ormsby, of Faribault.
A small hospital, and also small staff
library have been procured with funds given
to the Chaplain by Mr.. Andrew Shearer,
of st. Paul. .. aa
Fourteen dollars remain, contributed by
the Presbyterian Church of Hennepin coun-
ty, of which the Rev. Gideon 81. Pond is
pastor, with which it is my intention to
supply Company ID with library.
Since my last report, Death, for the first
time, has appeared in our encampment.
a