St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1864-09-15

At eight O'Clock the call of shoots and
saddles" soon brought the horses out
saddled and bridled, and the men with
their Spencer seven shooting carbines
slung over their shoulders and Colts
revolver in their belts were standing
ITO Horse" At the command, "Pre-
pare to noun" every mans left foot
sought the st;rrup, and each with the
left hand gathering the reins vaulted
simultaneously into tho saddle, with
clatter of accoutrements ut "Mount!"
While waiting for the command,
"Forward!" we will examine one of
the scouts and see his preparations for
three days gallop over the country
He is "veteran" and the trip is but
an excursion he takes to it with
relish; it is.keen enjoyment for him.
A good horse we'll shod, we'll groomed,
and the cavalry equipments we'll placed
everything taut, trim and tight. At
'tached behind his SADDLE, strapped Sc
curely in a sack, are oats; tied over it
and hanging one side is the we'll filed
haversack containing his rations. What
has he in it to live on for three days
Open it and you will find two loaves Of
bread or "hard tack" three tin cans,
once filled with preserves in suffers
"shebang," containing salt, coffee and
sugar; plate, spoon, knife and fork,
complete the kit. From the strap out
side bangles tin cup, and tied on the
sack Of oats are coffee pot and frying
pan. A strap through the. forward
part Of the saddle holds his rubber
poncho. In the saddle bags are curry
comb and brush on Ole side, chunk
of bacon wrapped in an. old piece of
gum blank ct is squeezed in the one on
the other side. His Spencer carbine
hangs down on his riy ht-forty rounds
are strapped around him in bis car
fridge box his pistol is loaded and
handy. He has good, stout pocket
knife, piece Of soap wrapped up in
his pocket and money in handy amounts
to drive bargain on the march, in a
hurry, and not be delayed long stopping
to trade. His dress consists of blouse,
blue trousers, army boots with rough
looking spurs, slouched. felt hat and
gray shirt. The weather being warm
he is not cumbered with blanket or
overcoat. He is fresh, confident, smi-
ling and eager-a practical commentary
on dress parade soldiers
The command given We started off
on brisk walk by twos. Steadily We
move on without halt for fifteen
miles, and when VIC dismounted at a
farm house for two hours rest, dur
ing the heat Of the day, the horses
we're not so restless, nor were we SO
fresh and bonyaht. "A few con6scated
sheaves of oats were given to the hor-
SEES. A slice Of bread and cup Of cof-
fee being disposed of, we sought nap
under tree, from which we were arous-
ed by SADDLE up!' After the start,
two men rode on before the troop as a
precaution against surprise from squads
of guer:illas that infest the valley. In
>habitahts were questioned, and citizens
examined who were stopped on the
road, and, in many instances used as
guides. We reached Sales Greek,
twenty-eight miles from camp, just be.
fore dark aud quartercd our horses in
esquire Pierson's'' stable. Horses
needing shoes repaired were sent te
the village blacksmith, who happened
to be contraband, and the work was
done. Before we fed, every horse had
to have his back washed in cold wate1
and his legs we'll rubbed: After feed
J ing out some of the oats we carried ano
helping ourselves to the Squire's shea!
oats, a guard was stationed and thu
boys with their trusty carbines close a
hand, rolled away in the hay NOW
curled up in fence corners and stretch
ed themselves lengthwise in mangerI
hes11 ;, a'een, Is the QTael
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~ - :; ~ 1I i'I|IIl|l 111
$ our bewildered senses with, "Get u
: and saddle, qnlck!"' A DELAY Of al
J. hour waiting for a sntatl Of. HON