The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-02-28
Our Army Correspondence.
LETTER FROM THE FIRST REG.
~ LEv IMENTs

GENEROUS CONTRIBUTION OF ONE HUNDRED
DOLLARS By COMPANY A, TO 4 WOUNDED
COMRADE-A SINGING REBUKE 70 OUR
Fl CAMP STONE, Nd, Feb. 3, 1862.
To the Editor of the Pioneer and Democrat.
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
a candidate for Sergeant. alarms of the
Senate of the Legislature of Minnesota !;
pursuant to call, a 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 slight testimonial of
our regard for him as friend-our respect
for him as gentleman-and our admira.
tion for him as a fearless soldier and 10y
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. T. Van
Wrest, W. FL. Ii. Dooley, 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
the st. Paul press that Robert Stephens, late
of our Company, who lost his right arm at
the battle of Bulls Run, was defeated for the
Office of Sergeant-at-Arms 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 informed). relying upon the prom
ised influence of Governor Ramsey, in his ia.
vor, and just appreciation of a disabled SOL
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
OF the utter want of a proper appreciation of
the just claims of 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 compan.
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 a 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 a
copy of these proceedings to the PIONEER
and the Press for publication also that
Sergeant Major Pellar be appointed com-
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.
G. 8. DRAKE, Sec.
LETTER TO MR.. STEPHENS, ENCLOSING
THE GIFT OF HIS BROTHER SOL
DIERS.
CAMP STONE, MARYLAND,
February 9TH, 1862.
DEAR SIR: The task imposed upon me
is both a pleasant and disagreeable one
pleasant in that l am authorized to com.
muncate to you the heartfelt sympathies of
our brave comrades for you and whatever
concerns you and disagreeable because it
has become my province to speak of dis
appointment, the cause of which concerns
you intimately, and which we feel called
upon to condemn. We left Minnesota full
of life and hope. We considered ourselves
the chosen band to whom was coDfded the
honor OF young, vigorous and promising
State. Each and all were prompted by
common impulse-the common good. ALI
seemed aware of the responsibility resting
upon US, and all were determined to do or
die. We braved the vcissitudes of the
battle feId,--we were trustworthy even 10
adversely. Whether we merited the enc0.
miums we have received, let the future de-
monstrate. But it is not mere lip service
that we desire; we have right to expect
something more substantial. speak not
for myself nor for any one of my comrades.
1t is in behalf of those who have been disa.
bled in their couItry's service, and for them
alone, 1 desire to speak. You are one of
them; you are mailaed 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 patri-
otto sense of duty ought to prompt them to
A.-.,< H.. a L