The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-04-11

FORT SMELLING. April Z. 1862.
To the Editor ofthe Pioneer and Democrat
Allow me through the columns of your
paper to address the inquiry to those patri-
otto ladies of st. Paul and vicinity who
have recently contributed so literally to the
hospital at the fort, if the articles sent are
designed to be used in common by the in
valid soldiers of the different organizations
at present here, or are they intended to be
appropriated for the benefit of the Fourth
Regiment.
This inquiry is suggested by the published
Acknowledgements upon the part of the Of
ficers OF that regiment, which have appeared
at different times in the st. Paul papers, of
the receipt Of "donations to the hospital of
the Fourth Regiment" If it is the design
that the latter disposition shall be made of
such contributions, we would take this occa
sion to represent the necessity existing in
the hospital department of the Fifth Regi.
ment for similar attention upon the part of
the humane and patriotic peope of the
State. OF the tbirty-nine invalids now in
the hospital at this post, twenty-six are
members of the Fifth Regiment, eight of the
Fourth, four of the battery, and one of the
detachment of recruits for the First Regi,
ment. There are some fifteen others lying
sick in the quarters of the regiment, the
capacity of the hospital being too limited
to afford them accommodations. The cause
of this great excess of sickness in the Fifth
regiment is to be attributed to the great ex
posure of the men which it has been i'm
possible to avoid on account OF the manner
in which they have been quartered. During
the winter they have been sheltered 10 barns
and outhOuses, the greatest number of men
being crowded into the least possible space.
In one instance Company Of one hundred
men have occupied a room 80 by "A
feet, where they have been require to
mess, sleep and live as best they could. That
company has buried three OF their men
within as many months. Other companies
have spent most of the winter in barn,
which had been in constant use until within
few days of its occupancy as quarters, as
q stable for horses, mules, &c.
Of the nine deaths which have occurred
here within the past three months, seven
were from the Filth Regiment. These facts
carry with them their own suggestions. The
Fifth Regiment has labored under many
disadvantages, since the commencement of
its organization. The Fourth, having had
possession here several weeks before the Fifth
commenced to rendezvous, had superior
claims upon the accommodations and privi-
leges of the garrison, which they naturally
awaited themselves of to the fullest extent.
The superintendent of the recruiting service
and the other proper authorities, have done
everything practicable under the circum-
stances, tor the health and comfort of the
men, but it has been impossible to provide
for so large number of troops, in an en-
tirely satisfactory manner. In view of the
fact that the Eth Regiment is to be sent
below shortly after the Fourth is dispatched,
and also that it is entirely unprovided with
hospital necessities, we have felt authorized
in making these representations, and sub
hitting this appeal to the patriotic public Of
Minnesota.
Respectfully,
L. F. HUBBARD,
1t. Col. Com'dg, 5th Reg't NJ. V.