The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-02-06

climation of the men renders them almost
as impervious to sickness as they were at
home. The southern winter has so far
been splendid beyond expectation, warm,
balmy and June-like, and with the excep-
ton of the last ten days, almost without
rain, snow or frost. ... -...
One great cause of complaint amongst
the whole army, and one most justly made,
is this: According to orders from Head
quarters, transportation has been 80 re-
duced that the necessary camp equippage
cannot be carried, and so the men are short
OF tents, and almost entirely without cook
ing utensils. Think of the condition of o
regiment where the men are crowded to
the number of thirty in one small Sibley
tent-sO confined that on cold and rainy
day fire must be excluded. Then again in
the matter Of ratiOns. Shamefully do the
contractors swindle Uncle Sans men.
can assert with the utmost truth that for
one-fourth of the time that this Regiment
has been in the service (south) only half
ratiOns have been issued to them, and
those but Of pork, old and musty, and
hard bread, worm eaten and mouldy. The
men grumble, petition and beg for redress;
but no! it cannot be bettered; the fault
lies beyond the vision of those in the ranks,
and equally impenetrable millstones inter-
vene between the eyesight of those in au-
thority and the iniquity. This works hard
against the patriotic instinct, and serves
the end of dissatisfaction most surely
But look again at another and more GER
tain cause OF discomfort. We all know
that many of the volunteers are poor men.
Certainly there are very few who can af-
ford to work night and day in the service
of their country, be their patriotism ever
SO undeniable, for nothing. There are
many, particularly in our regiment, who
left their wives and children, perhaps aged
parents, or some dependant relatives, rely
ing for subsistence upon the earnings their
sole supporting arm, now away in the SER
vice of his beloved country. Why is this?
The surmise is that the money has been
furnished by the Government, time and
time again, and placed in the hands of
agents for distribution among the troops.
Gambling and cotton buying, the two
temptations of paymasters, answer this
question. Nearly every paper We pick up
speaks loudly against these delinquencies.
Every soldier in the army protests bitterly
every day, and still this crying evil is not
eradicated. The whole division with which
we are connected can date the period of
their last payment from six to eight months.
Our Regiment has had no pay since the
month of july months are now due US,
and now there are no clearer prospects
than before, though rumors speak Of q
conscientious and very condescending pay
master who purposes tOpay US the magniti-
cent sum of two months indebtedness,
within few days.
Cotton and negroes are daily passing by
Car loads. have an idea of what is to be
the destination Of the cotton; but whittier
go the negroes? This is beyond my con-
ception. Thousands have gone past on the
cars, bound in the direction of Memphis,
within tho last ten days.
We are under marching orders for Vicks-
burg. Tire Fighting division will,
trust, do its work well. AL OF us 60 there
pretty well assured, but determined, in
case of hard work, to give the enemy as
stout punishment as it lies within our power
to inHict.
Should my letter prove worthy of your
interest, and if You desire to hear further
of our progress, it will afford me extreme
pleasure to acquaint you with the incidents
of our life and battles from now until the
time of our return. s**