The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-07-03
CAMP MCPHAIL,
Sunday, June u, 1862.

. so. CAMP MCPHAIL,
-. t, Sunday, June q, 1862.
To the Editor Of the Pioneer:
, In my last letter neglected to state that
our Pioneer and Pontoon men had an OPP
portunity of displaying their requirements
in bridging a stream just beyond Rice
Greek, on our second day out. 1t would
be matter of surprise to any one unac-
quainted with the method of constructing
such works, to see with what rapidity, and
ease, a stream is spanned by these hardy
lumbermen. Capt. Chase of the Pioneer
corps is entitled to great praise for the eff
icient manner in which he conducts these
operations. Only an hour and half was
occupied in building the structure above
spoken of, and some of the supporters for
the tressels had to be brought distance
Of mile and half, and were two feet in
diameter. We broke up our camp at Wood
Lake at O'Clock on Thursday A. M, and
encamped early on the site of what was
called last year Camp Rigg, but receiv-
ed its name this time from Col. Baker, of
the 10th Regiment. The road from yell
low Medicine to this camp was 80 rough
that many wagons were injured, and bar
rels containing our commissary stores had
in number of instances to be re-cooper-
ed, and we therefore remained at Camp
Baker until Saturday morning.
Up to this time the weather has been
very chilly, and fierce wind blowing,
made things very generally disagreeable.
But it was reserved for this day Saturday,
the Goth of June) to cap the climax in the
way of a disagreeble day. We turned out
in mean, drizzling rain and cold, bleak
wind, which kept US company all the way,
and stuck to US "closer than a brother. ;"
Our scouts have discovered each day
some evidence Of Indians being, or having
been, in our vicinity quite recently. To-
day fresh moccasin tracks Of two pair of
feet have been discovered above our pres
sent camp, and this side of Lac qui Parle.
1t seems to be the prevalent opinion that
the two reds " who killed Capt. Cady are
lowering around US. If this be so, and
our scouts get them, you may expect to
hear of scalp dance soon after Rest as
sured that we snall do all manner of
things to them if we catch them. But,
like the hare before cooking, it is quite es-
sential that something should undergo the
catching process.
Our present Camp is situated on the
bank OF the Minnesota about two miles in
a direct line north west of Damp Release,
rendered memorable by the rescue of the
white prisoners taken by Little Grow, and
delivered up by Wabashaw and Taopi. II
Gen. Sibley accomplishes nothing more
in the present campaign than he has ell
ready; he is entitled to the lasting graft
tude of the entire State, Gncluding "nie
oolm, y for the mastery manner in which
he conducted the rescue of those suffering
women and children. To his ST. ategy,
and his knowledge Of Indian character,
those captives are to-day indebted for their
lives. This day being the Sabbath, our
COmmander-in- Chief with due regard
for the injunctions of Holy Writ has not
advanced our column to-day. This after
noon in company with his entire staff, aud
the Colonies of the different regiments he
paid visit to the old Camp. Everything
looks about as it did last fall. The huge
ovens are still standing and the log house
used as prison yet remains. There are
evident traces on the premises that the
boys had cold time of it last fall !; and
subterranean .abodes must have been the
order of the day, if the number of sodded
houses left standing can be taken as an
indication. The grave of old Man-ka-to,
whose ribs were knocked out last fall, by
a strap from Capt. Mark Hendricks
Battery is still untouched by either friend
or foe. 1t will be remembered that this
man was tolera6ly good Indian, and was
killed by mistake; or rather; hit by mis-
take, as he did not die until some time af-
terward.
Our Indian scouts go on in advance of
our column and do not shut their eyes on
plumber. One of them opened a grave
on Friday last at Yellow Medicine, and
found a portmOnaie, containing $40 in
gold, on the body of woman. He I'M
doubtedly knew where to look for it.
Yesterday sad and solemn scene was
enacted at Lac qui Parle. Mr.. Pettijohn
with an escort of six men, proceeded to
that place early in the day and disinterred
the body of Mr.. Higgins, who was shot
while attempting to reach his house, in
which his wife and some other ladies were.
His tragic end is too well-known to require
recapitulation. On every hand these
mournful scenes are brought before us in
some light, and serve to remind us of the
true nature of our mission in this direc-
ton. On the battle-felds and around the
graves of our fallen comrades the fruitful
flock, blossoms and the fragrant prairie
rose give forth their sweet perfume.
What a comment on the evanescent nature
of all things earthly. Where last year
desolation spread itself over the face of
nature like garment, and the ensan-
guined earth drank in her full of blood,
and the burning element added it's destruc-
tive power, from off the broad bosom of
that self-same prairie, comes to our senses
the fragrance Of thousand poisoning |