The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-01-01

of home and smiling little faces in anticipation

of home and smiling little faces in anticipation
of Santa Claus, little stockings pinned to chair
backs, turkeys and all the paraphanalia of good
old fashioned holiday times, by the sights in
the shop windows, the heaping baskets and
large bundles in the grocer's wagons passing
and repassing from morn till night. We are
also reminded of our isolated condition by
having invitations passed around to dinner
here and supper there, and an evening party
somewhere else, We, too, know o place, a
small and perhaps humble corner in this great
world where we would find a chair that would
cause tears of Joy to flow if we could occupy
it tomorrow. Such are the inward thoughts
of many of us in blue coats and brass buttons
to-day. But, then, what would those social
enjoyments be without q country, without
safety, protection, law, order, or anything
which marks the difference between the civili'
zation of the present age and the barbarism OF
the past. Nothing but brave hearts and strong
arms will ever secure to us and our posterity a
peace of such character that we can say to
ourselves and pOsterity, there is our work,
Judge of it for yourselves. But as you don't
want lecture will try to give you some prac'
teal matters.
The Ninth, Tenth and Seventh are still in
the State and situate very much as when l
wrote you last. Of the Ninth there are two
A, B, E and 1, at Rolla. Two, c and K, at
Lemoine Bridge, and two, G and h, in this
city. Col Wilkin is here serving on court
martial. Lieut.. Col. Marsh is on a military
commission out at Warsaw, think, and Major
Markham is now on council of administra-
ton, dsposing of the effects of deceased SOL
diers. There are large quantities that have
been accommodating in the general hospitals here
for some months. The Tenth is moving along
in the grooves, as usual. Col. Baker is still
Commander of Post st. Louis, Lieut.. Colonel
Jennison commanding the regiment and Major
Cook commanding what is called Strag-
glers' Camp. Captain OConnor and Lieut.
McMicken have been placed temporarily on
the Generals staff. Both good and deserved
selections. Captain Amber was dismissed, as
you have probably learned ere this, also the
of Capt. Phelps old company. All these things
appear to be to the general satisfaction of all
concerned. so, as the soldiers say, everything is
lovely and the goose hangs high. Of the
Seventh can say but little, as their duties are
such that seldom come in contact with them.
Col. Marshall, as you know, is at home on a
short leave. Major Bradley is in command.
Capt. Arnold is temporarily on the Generals
staff, and every one in the staunch old Seventh
is feeling well and happy. 1t is really surpris-
ing to see so many soldiers in the streets and
SO little drunkenness. Even the officers have
quit. am credibly informed that in the Ninth
there are but two or three officers who touch
liquor at all, and think the Tenth and
Seventh nearly the samoa great step in the
right direction certainly, and this came about
without any pledges or concert of action, which
is another strange feature. The health of the
Minnesota troops here now is quite good, all
things considered; we all have to have a
bilious attack more or less severe. Most of us
are on duty now and can dispose of our ration.
The only officers on the sick list to my knowl-
edge are two, Capt. Stevens of the Seventh and
Lieut.. Smith of the Tenth, both improving.
Yours truly,
MINNEHAHA