The weekly pioneer and Democrat., 1863-02-13
Onr Army Correspondence.
FROM THE THIRD MINNESOTA.

To the Editor of the Pioneer:
CAIRO, ILL.,, Feb. 3, 1868.
The Third Regiment has been here
seven days, waiting for arms and orders,
and is quartered in tolerably comfortable
barracks. We expected Immediately on
our arrival to be supplied with good arms,
and to be sent where fighting was to be
done, either under Gen. Rosecrans or to
Vicksburg. Considering that troops are
being sent into both departments, and
that we had made earnest and seasonable
appeals to go back to Tennessee, we had
a right to expect that so reasonable re-
quest would be promptly granted. 1t was
in view of this prospect that we marched
cheerfully in cold and storm, day after
day, over the frozen ground in Minnesota.
Soon after our arrival, we were glad to
learn that 1900 Enfield rifles had lately
been sent here, by order of the Secretary
of War We went to the captain who had
charge of the ordnance here, but he said
he could not issue any without an order
from the chief ordnance officer in the
department. who was in St. Louis.
There were no accoutrements here
at all, so we got the captain to
send to St. Louis to see if we
could have some of these Enfield rifles,
and also to be supplied with accoutrements,
there being none of the latter nearer than
St. Louis. This he cheerfully did by letter,
and day before yesterday he received re-
ply by telegraph, saying we could be fur
nished with arms and accoutrements at
Memphis! Gen. Tuttle, who is in COM
mand here, has not the power himself to
send us to particular place, but acts un-
der Gen. Hamilton, who is in Memphis.
You see how inconveniently military affairs
often operate. The Captain in charge of
arms here may see that it would be very
desirable to issue arms to a regiment, but
he must send off several hundred miles to
get permission. The Brigadier General
commanding might think it advisable to 40
certain things, but he, too, is under the
direction of an officer several more hun
dred miles off The consequence is that
a regiment is kept waiting long time.
Yesterday Gen. Tu;tle informed the
Colonel that he had, day or two before,
received orders from Gen. Hamilton to
send all troops that should arrive at pres
ent to Columbus, KY, and that, according
to the order, we would have to 60 to that
place; but he would need first to have us
supplied with arms.
A large amount of stores are at Column
bus and 5000 troops are now there guard
ing them.
Possibly we may be kept back in uniln-
portant guard duty, as if we had but just
been mustered into service. If so, it will
not be the fault of any one in the regi-
ment; for we had made it known through
our Congressional delegation s;x weeks be-
fore leaving the State that our earnest de-
sire was to get speedily into the field and
where there would be fighting. We ask
ed to be supplied with good arms, and to
be sent under General Rosecrans to the
old field we were before in. If ordinary
Justice had been done us, our request
would have been granted and we should
not have been detained here. Wewill not
now complain, hoping our interests have
been or are being attended to.
Yesterday being the last day of the
month, we had regimental inspection.
The companies seemed nearly as full as
ever, and presented a fine military appear
ance. What appeared best was the healthy,
cheerful, vigorous looks of the men. Since
they came here they have replenished
their clothing. The band has been organ
lied and increased, and new bugles and
drums drawn for it. The best of order
and discipline prevails.
Two companies of the 35th Iowa are the
only other troops here. Two gunboats lie
out in the Ohio; and the Lafayette, a
large one not quite finished, is at the levee.
The population of Cairo seems to be
made up of trading adventurers The
streets are almost impossible on account of
mud. 1t is most unattractive place, I as
sure you.
Gems. Ricketts,, Crawford, and Meredith
have been appointed Board to investigate
the claims to be restored of such officers