The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-03-14
CAMP STONE, Nd, Feb. %, 1862.

CAMP STONE. Nd, Feb. %, 1862.
To the Editor Of the Pioneer and Democrat.
DEAR SIR: Yesterday morning at sun
rise one hundred guns announced the Anni-
versary of the Birthday of the "Father of
his Country" During the morning noth-
lng else occurred in the way of of demons
stration. In the afternoon, however, we
had "big time that is, we thought it
such.
Upon the promotion of Col. Dana, the
enlisted men with one accord determined to
tender him gift, as testimonial of their
admiration of the man, and their apprecia.
tion of his military abilities. As the off,
GERS had taken measures to procure sword,
sash and belt, they concluded to purchase a
complete outfit for his horse, and when the
men of the First Minnesota conclude to do
thing they do not do it by halves. The
outfit YVES procured-a bride, saddle and
housings, of the best workmanship, pair
of ivory headed, silver mounted Colts re-
volvers, pair of gold plated spurs. ele.
gantly chased, etc.,-and the presentation
came off yesterday afternoon. At two
O'Clock the bugle sounded attention, and in
five minutes time the regiment (minus off
cers) had formed hollow square on the
parade ground. Everything being in
readiness, after the band had discoursed for
awhile, Sergeant Jewett spoke as follows:
GENERAL DANA: The task today has
been assigned to me on behalf of the men of
the First Minnesota, to express to you, on
the occasion of your being removed from
this immediate command, the sentiments of
respect and devotion for you personally
which animate them, and their entire conG4
deuce in your military skill and attain.
ments. 1t has seldom fallen to the lot OF
any one, even on occasions of this kind, to
make those expressions so untrammelled by
dissenting voices as on the present. Since
your first connection with us as commander
of our regiment, you have constantly won
upon our regard and esteem by your un~
ceaslDg care for our comfort and interest,
and have challenged and commanded our
complete confidence and admiration by
your courage, GOODNESS and the unpresums
ing although conspicuous display of eminent
military fitness and capacity, when the
alarms of the field called for more than the
usual executive and instructuras routine of
the camp.
BE assured, sir, that the value of the
gifts which it now becomes my agreeable
duty to present, or any Others in our power
to DestOw, cannot be considered an expo
nent o! our sentiments, and while l may be
permitted, echoing the wishes of my com.
rades in arms, to express the desire that you
may still in your higher capacity lead US on
in this contest for the supremacy of the
Right and the Laws.
l desire you to accept them these pis
tolls, bride and saddle, and accompani-
ments, not as an index but as means of
conveyance of our unceasiDg regard aud SIM
cere respect,
REPLY OF COLONEL DANA.
After brief pause, the gallant General
"opened bis mouth and spake" as follows:
My MEN 1t would be but pitiful af-
fectation Of stoicism Oh my part to pretend
that am not moved by this exhibition of
attachment from you who have been my
companions and my charge, and 1 cannot
trust myself to dwell upon the subject in
making lengthy reply.
The fattering terms in which you make
the presentation of these beautiful memen.
toes find their origin in the same partiality
with which vou have hronpht vonrsplves tn
regard me as your commander.
I can say with truth that I have labored
not so much for my own selfish ends in ad.
vancing myself, as for your interests and
the honor of Minnesota and if the change
in my favor is to be embittered by separ
alton from those whom onght not to part
from, the event is an unexpected as it is af
fecting, and must hope that it will be on.
ly for the moment. l wish, through the
whole of this war, to be with you and share
every hardship, toll, privation, and success.
hoped when l heard the victorious shouts
of our brothers come up from amid the
thick cloud of battle on the Western plains,
that we could 60 to them and in friendly
emulation and mutual support, shoulder to
shoulder, meet the shock of war, and when
we had conquered and laid aside our arms
wished to 60 home with you and witness
and share your welcome, and live with you
in peace.
Men of Minnesota, I never received a
public present in my life, and it is more
than gratifying to me that the first one I
ever received has come from you. III
could have selected the source from which it