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


CfNIREStL'.F
NEAR BIACKBURNS FORD, Oct 49, 63
10 the Editor Of the Pioneer: ~
Since last wrote y II. you have undoub'-
eddy heard of many of cur proceedings. How
we went to Brn klyn and w, re feted and lion.
lied and gloritied till two weeks of such exis-
tcntc see med almost All Offset to all the tolls,
troubles, and changes We had undergone; how
from this bright oasis in the drcary desert of
our military life we were again launched forth
upon lie foil Of Virginia as soon as the sensi-
Tive Mo>irIs Of our Washington authorities
caught lie Grit snuff 'of the battle afir of"
on the Rapdan.
We reached the ara in lime 10 take our Old
lace and lad OF the advance movement. clos
~, IL upon tie heels OF oar cavalry and finish
ing up HE diminishing. wh,c'l II ey began at
Racoun 'nd otter POINTS rear Cedar Mountain
TAcn made peace with The rebel pickles, and
settled dawn 30 the W0noi0ny Of camp life
n'y broken b. lie vS.t OF our Safe Commits
>oner3, winch Nc VIII ever remember VISA
pI0Sure ard vino too. our political s.i'i-
ulenl," il brown ilap"r envelopes. hou3 20
Minnesota.
We were relieved hy the Sixth Corps and
went tx % EIlepFcr, where we cliNutd
Two days. i}y E'r. ay, tie 9ih, we began to
III up cor fJr;lJlc ,,umrcra, for /! c nieb IS lle
rather cold Tor uutCoOr rlscpi =. Do u soldier
ever make himself comfort Tie, that he did not
move lie ucXt day? This our Il; ual fate, q ain
repeated i!>c'r ard on Saturday we marched
out 70 The wet Of Crlpel Fer, for it WIS said
that III" 10! my Tbs were coming Stone
Waii eu-P, pei over Cur right flank. That
u aht We fell back towards the rarlahanrock.
ana GRO S it next day Monday #fcr con We
heard cannon and again crossed Tie Rlppahan-
mock, formed in order Of battle aud advanced
towards Bran''y Station.
The country here resembles one Of our
prarips. end rs the different corps moved up
in long line: Of battle Or in heavy masses, the
setting sun shining brightly on their gli>tcning
arms, made 4 magnificent military picture
Ibis movement PUZZLED us all. Some said the
scce-h were flank:ng us-Olers sai0 we were
going lack to look for something we had lost
and most not knowing what to think set it
down to strategy"
1uttt ItSAV We t7AAh ISIi UtCh 9CTOSS tlIC
Rappahannock, and marched towards White
Sulphur 81 rings, where the "Johnnies" had
crossed the river and "wh lied" our cavalry.
By daybreak we reached point where we
could see their columns mo ing towards War
rentOn, and after considering the matter all the
forenoon, came to the COZ ciusiOn that they
were Thinking US, ard started about noon for
Warrenton Junction, near which place we
camped 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 funk.
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 rs skirmishers.. 1t was
one continual skirmish all along the road.
Flying artillery, cavalry, and rifles kept up o
perpetual popping, and it became quite severe
fight 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 40 much surprised as
we were. 1t was an unexpected meeting oil
round. and for moment we mistOOk each
other for friends. Discovering their real char
acter, we blazeI away at them. They returned
it 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 u.s. 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 supernaturally 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
Ills with loud cheers, and our line came down
from the hill behind and took position behind
the railroad embankment to support us. We
were now in very hot positiol-tor not only