The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-10-30
Cur Army Correspondence.
INTE RESTING LETTER FROM
THE FIRST MINNESOTA.


CENTREvILE HEIGHTs,
NEAR BLAcKBuHNs FORD, Oct. IS, 63.C
To the Editor of the Pioneer:
Since last wrote y II. you have undoubt-
eddy heard of many of cur proceedings. How
we went to Brm klyn and were feted and lion.
lied and glorifed till two weeks of such exs-
troubles, and changes We had undergone; how
from this bright oasis in the dreary desert of
our military life we were again launched forth
upon the soil of Virginia rs soon as the sensi-
tive nostri's of our Washington authorities
caught tie fi-st snuff "of the battle afar of "
on the Rapidan.
We reached the arm = in time TO take our old
place and lead Off the advance movement, clos
ing in upon the heels of our cavalry and finish
ing up The diminishing. which ley began at
Racoun and OTHER points near Cedar Mountain
Then made peace with the rebel pichc;s, and
settled down to the m0notony Of camp life,
MY broken by he visit of our State Commits
sioners, which we viii ever remember Wit,
p.,asure, and who took our "p0lit.caI scn,i-
ment," in brown I5ap"r envelopes. home 10
Minnesota.
We were relieved by the Sixth Corps and
went ok 10 (ulpeppcr, where we calnped
two days. BY Fra ny, The 9th. we began to
ut up con fJraDlc tuariera, for tic nights are
rather cold for outdoor >lcepi e. Did soldier
ever make himself comfort tie that he did not
move He next day? This, our usual fate, o ain
repeated Itself. ard on Saturday we marched
ant IN, fl.o Of ('p1pp,l ,pr mr. II
that iii" JOHNNY J obo' were coming Stone
wall on-Pcpe" over our right flank That
night we fell back towards the Rarl.ahannock,
and eros it next day Monday afternoon We
heard cannon and again crossed the Rappallali-
mock, formed in order of battle and advanced
towards Brandy Station.
The country here resembles one of our
prairies, and as the different corps moved up
in long lines of battle or in heavy Masses the
setting sun shining brightly on their glistcning
arms, made magnificent military picture,
This movement PUZZLED us all. Some said the
sece-h were fianking us-Others said we were
going hack to look for something we had lost,
and most, not knowing what to think, set it
down to strategy"
That night we again fell back across the
Rappahannock, and marched towards White
Sulphur 81 rings, where the "JOhnnies" had
crossed the river and "wh lied" our cavalry,
By daybreak we reached d point where we
could see their columns mo ing towards War
rentOn, and after considering the matter all the
forenoon, came to the cor clusion that they
were fanking us ard started about noon for
WarrentOn Junction, near which place we
canned that NIGHT
Next morning. the Second, which was now
the rear guard Of the army, was early upon the
road, and scarcely were We upon the road
before the secesh cavalry was on our flank.
Major DOwnie was now ordered to deplOy the
regiment as fankers. to keep the cavalry from
getting our trains As every man was sent out
on this duty we had no reserve, and our colors
were sent for protection to the gallant 18th
Massachusetts,, who have stood side by side
with us in so many battles. They received
them with cheers, and sent us word that they
would defend the charge with which we had
entrusted them so long as man was left, and
we went on our way as ekirmishers.. 1t was
one continual skirmish all along the road.
Flying artillery, cavalry, and rifles kept up q
perpetual popping, and it became quite severe
light at Horseshoe Ford of Kettle Run. which
the enemy endeavored to hold till their rein
forcements could come up. but which we could
not allow them to do.
We reached the railroad. and continued our
march quietly along It till we had arrived near
Bristow Station, when suddenly cannon belch-
ed out not 500 yards ahead OF US, and firing
up the road towards Manassas Junction, where
the Third corps were marching. We were
again deplOyed as skirmishers, and had not
advanced hundred yards before we ran
upon . heavy body Of rebels marching in
column. They were a. much surprised as
we were. 1t was an unexpected meeting all
round. and for . moment we mistO0k each
other for friends. Discovering their real char
acter, we blazeI away at them. They returned
1t with interest, and then withdrew into the
woods. And now both parties commenced to
get into position, and infantry formed in line,
and horse artillery galloped furiously around
till the line was formed, ours on the east and
theirs on the west side Of the road, and
railroad for which we were to fight, and which
ran along in the valley between two hills. Be-
tween the lines was the railroad bridge across
Broad Run, which they had tried to reach be-
fore US. Our line of skirmishers now marched
by the flank and we boldly took position be-
tween the rebels and the railroad, and for
few moments we experienced that calm which
occurs on all battle fields, when everything
seems eupernaturally STILL and all wait TO hear
the opening of the fight. Their skirmishers
now advanced from the woods to drive US from
our position. This was too big task, and
they soon were driven in upon their line Of
battle by well directed shots from Minnesota
rifles. Their line of battle then advanced upon
us with loud cheers, and our line came down
from the hill behind and took position behind
the railroad embankment to support u.s. We
were now in o very hot positi0n-f0r not only