The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-05-09


tribute of love and respect to one of the
bravest among the brave who fell upon the
battle field of Shiloah, whilst CALAMITY lead
ing his men into the thickest and hottest of
the fight. First among the foremost who
left home of ease and luxury, and stepped
forward to aid in putting down the rebel
ion, your readers will remember Captain
William Henry Acker, of St. Paul. Lux.
ury, home, parents, and even life were moth
ing to him when weighed against bis coun~
try's preservation. With no thought
self, the first great battle of the war found
him in the front rank, nobly maintaining
the honor of his adopted State. Then be app
peared in the army of the West, leading a
company of picked men through Tennessee.
With the advance of Buell's army, be arriv>
ed at this point on Sunday night of the first
days battle, and on the following morning
led his command to the front, amid the
thickest of the fray, and there be fell, with
sword in hand, and his face to the foe-an
unerring bullet sped from the rife Of some
rebel sharp-shooter, had pierced him full in
the forehead; and without struggle, or
groan, the spirit of as gallant and fearless
a patriot as ever buckled an armor, Was
freed from its mortal tenement, and took
its fight from earth. OF him it may truly
be said,
He lived as mothers wish their sons to live,
He died as fathers wish their sons to de-"
Loved almost adored by his company,
Capt. Acker's fall for moment cast deep
shadow OF gloom over his command; it was
but for a moment. With a last look at
their dead commander, and with the watch
word, "this for our Captain" voley after
voIley from their unerring guns carried
death into the ranks of his murderers.
From that moment, but one feeling seemed
to possess his still living companons-that
of revenge for the death of their Captain.
How terribly they carried out that purpose,
the heaps of rebel slain piled around the viz
entity of bis body, fearfully attest.
Green grow the grass above thee,
Friend of other days
None knew thee but to love thee,
None named thee but to praise"
Minnesota is represented at this point by
three different arms of the service. Capt.
Munich, with his battery, was on the ground
and took an active and honorable part in
the great battle. His command is placed
in the first rank of artillerists, both as to
efficiency and valor. hear an incident re-
lated of them, which will exhibit the fight
ing qualities of tie troops which Minnesota
has furnished to the Government. Captain
NJ, in connection with battery hailipg
from State lying East OF the Ohio, was
ordered to point of vital Importance,
which was to be held at all hazards. The
point had scarcely been gained and the guns
numbered for action, ere murderous and
continued fire was directed against them
from foe till then concealed. 1t proved
too much for the battery which was sent
with Captain NJ, and they turned and fled,
leaving their guns behind. In this emer-
gepcy, the Minnesota boys not only held
their position, and worked their own guns,
but, dividing the company, managed those
which had been cowardly deserted, and held
the position assigned them and finally, when
ordered to fall back, removed both bates
ries to place of safety from the enemy.
Both Captain NJ. and his First Lieutenant
were twice wounded during the battle.
l paid visit to the camp of the Mime
sofa Second yesterday, couple OF miles
former commander, Colonel Van CIeve, had
been taken from the regiment, and assigned
to brigade, with the rank of Brigadier
General His command ct present, if l
remember right, comprises the 18th and
26th Kentucky, and the 10th Ohio. Other
regiments will doubtless be added. This
promotion leaves Colonel j. George in
command of the Second, and advances
Major Wilkin, (who is at present considers
ABLY Frustrated with sickness.) to the Lieut..
COlonelcy. Col. George is suffering from
an acute attack of the rheumatism, al
though not sufficiently serious to prevent
his doing duty. He accompanied bis reg
iment upon picket duty day or two since,
when the compliment of few shots were
exchanged with the rebels, but without seS
rious results. so far as the Second was con-
cerned. The boys generally are looking
we'll and eager to repeat the lesson of Mill
Spring to the rebels in Tennessee-and
think few days will furnish them an op-
portunity.
Major A. B. Bracket, with battalion
selected from the Curtis Horse, is also
upon the ground, and has been assigned the
honorable position, l understand, Of body
guard to the Commander. in Chief-a com.
pliment to himself and his command
brought about by the zeal and efficiency ex-
hibited in every duty yet assigned them.
That the command will be found equal to
any emergency which may arise hereafter,
no one who knows them will for moment
doubt. During the past month the Major
has, with his wide awake battalion, been
performing the duties of an entire regiment
by keeping rebellion in check between SaS