The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-10-03
Our Army Correspondence.
LETTER FROM THE FIRST REGIMENT.
BATTLE OF ANTIETUM.


since leaving Harrison's Landing, has been
full of interest, but as your correspondent
was absent from the regiment until it fair
ly entered into this Maryland campaign,
he cannot speak of what occurred prior to
its arrival at Rockville in this State; nor
indeed, is it necessary for him to do so, as
you have, doubtless been informed through
other sources.
On the 18th inst, Summers corps, form
ing as | think, the right wing of McClel-
lans advance, reached Hyattsville, in full
view of Sugar Loaf Mountain, at an early
hour. The First Regiment was in the rear
of the Division, but in this case, as is usual
when danger is near, it was called to the
front at double-quick speed, and, with our
own skirmishers in advance, swept over
the abrupt hills in line of battle. Our reg
iment did not come upon the enemy,
though some skirmishing occurred in other
parts of the field. Having gained strong
position, we rested for the night-company
L (Sharpshooters) being the advanced
picket, and the regiment lying upon its
arms as a reserve.
On the 18th our corps advanced in three
columns on the Fredericktown road, the
central column, with the artillery and cav
airy, keeping the road, and flanking col
umn about two hundred yards distant ON
either side, marching through field, ravine
and forest. Our division was on the left
of the road, and the country being exceed
ingly billy and broken, we were either
climbing or descending an abrupt hillside
nearly all the time, which made our march
a tiresOme one in the hot sun, and espec-
tally so to your correspondent, whose flesh
was newly acquired since late illness,
and whose feet had become tender during
two months sick leave. But with all
the WEAKNESS of the march | could not
help admire the beauty of the scene as the
three long columns stretched in even meas
ure over hills and through valleys, occa-
sionally screened by cornield, forest or
hillside, and sometime cheered by the fife
and drum, or rallied from a short repose
by the ''Attention" call of the regimental
buglars. Foot-sore and weary, our regi-
ment that night lay down to rest on a
beautiful slope, facing the rising moon,
which we watched till we fell asleep.
On the 18th, we again moved in three
columns, Sedgwick taking the road, and
our company of Sharpshooters, in connec-
ton with Company I, was Provost Guard
to the Division. 1t was our business,
therefore, to prevent all struggling, and
compel every soldier by the wayside to adj
vance, who had no 'sick-pass" from some
physician. That day we passed the MOn-
ocacy at the point where the Baltimore
and Ohio Railroad crosses that river, and
saw the ruins of the magnificent iron bridge
which the rebels blew up but few days
previous. At this point, for miles, eyiden-
ces were abundant that the enemy had en-
camped in force The stencil of otfal, the
carcasses of horses, the old camp fires, the
cornfields stripped Of ears. and worn out
clothing cast aside, all indicated large
force and prolonged stay. Three or four
miles beyond the river we came to Fred
ercktown-a really beautiful city, about
the size of St. Paul. A thousand Union
flags decorated the streets and buildings;
a thousand ladies greeted us with smiles
and cheers, and handed to the thirsty sol
der the cooling draught of water. All
conspired to cheer us on our weary way
Many of the ladies asked why we had not
got there sooner, and when told that we
had nearly killed ourselves to reach there,
thanked us. They said the rebels had
been there in force about five days previ
Gus, and only the day before the last of
them disappeared. They took from the
citizens what they chose, and paid in con-
federate scrip-would pay nothing else,
and when asked to take the same trash in
payment for what citizen might buy of a
rebel, refused it. Altogether, the presence
of JacksOn's men was not very profitable
to the people of Fredericktown. Passing
through we camped about mile from
town, near the city reservoir. And this
reminds me to say that better watered
country cannot be named, than that we
have traversed from Washington to this
place. 1t is also country Astounding in
beautiful landscape.
On Sunday, the 18th, we took an early
start for the mountains beyond Frederick
town, and to inspire us we had the roar of
cannon ahead. Taking wrong road cost
us two or three hours time, and made our
days march considerably harder, as it was
nearly night when we had climbed and de-
scended the mountain on the other side.