The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-06-24

sofa three years ago. We waited al PRESCOTT
until nine o'clock, when the Hudson not bay-
ing arrived, our boat went down four miles be-
low, to get over n sand bar. Here we waited
until the arrival of the Hudson OF noon with the
rest OF the regiment on board. They were i'm
nedlately transferred to our boat and we soon
iound ourselves making as good progress down
li'er ~ the low stage of water would permit
never saw tn; river so low before as now;
the sand bars loom up like huge extensive
piaihs OF saady deserts and really there APP
pears 10 oe almost as much dry land as water
in the Mississippi. Navigation is becoming
difficult with these large boats.
AT aoou O'Clock we came in view of that
peculiarly abrupt bluff Or hill! near Red Wing.
All eyes were turned to get a view this pret.
| ty little town whose ladies have earned the
honorable reputation of feeding every detach-
ment OF soldiers that has passed through there
since the war commenced. A few moments
brought us to the levee. Men women and
children came rushing from every direction.
until the levee was crowded with over a thous-
and persons who greeted US with cheer upon
cheer. Company having been raised in Red
Wing they were allowed to go ashore and see
their friends for few minutes.
Upon getting ashore they were completely
besieged by the fair ones" of this place. TIE
ladies had prepared dinner for the whole regi
ment, expecting of course we would stay long
enough to partake of their hospitality, but Col.
Crooks did not deem it advisable, as we were
delayed SO long the night previous The com.
pany was soon recalled aboard the boat, but not
without first being loaded down by these ladies
with bundles, boxes, packages, &c, of cakes,
pies jellies, preserves, delcacies and other lit
tie kncknacks that no one but woman would
think of, and which soldier can so well APP
preciate And when they came aboard they
followed them TO the waters edge, and fingered
there till We had passed out OF sight. Hand
kerchiefs were brought into good use among
the group of ladies assembled there TO stay
the flood of tears that flowed SO freely. twas
an affecting scene to say the least.
| Away we glided down stream, the band play
ing When this cruel war is over" and Il 6
crowd on shore waving hats and handkerchief
some weeping and some cheering. Such
acts Of kindness as the ladies of Red Wing
have manifested towards the soldiers, are truly
praiseworthy, and trust they nay some day
meet with their just reward. To the married
ones we can hope they may be blessed by
safe return OF their husbands, and 10 the fair
single ones" can wish them no worse fate
than that of becoming wives of some of those
soldiers. But this much l can assure them.
they have already won the good Will and es-
TEEN of the soldiers generally
| From Red Wing we passed down through
| the Lake landing few minutes at Lake CITY.
| Ohe home of our Lieut.. Col. John T. AyerilD.
where the same affectirg parting, waving of
handkerchief, cheering, &c, took place, as at
Red Wing, yet the crowd assembled ct the
landing was not as large.
The regiment regret very much that Colonel
-Averill is not going with US, yet he Gays he ex-
poets soon to join. hope he will for it will I've
a source of qualification to all to have him with
US.
The boat steamed or, passing by Reeds
Landing, with Band playing and colors flying,
| just before dark. Here again We were greeted
| as before with cheering, waving OF flags by the
men and Of handkerchiets by The women. &c;
| which as usual were returned by the regiment,
| with cheers loud and lusty, sometimes holder-
ing on the Indian yell or "whar whOop."
Night coming on and the water being SO low
on Beef Slough Bar, the boat landed Just above
| Wabashaw, and remained until morning.
! liz the morning We were up by three o'clock
and transferred over to the barges to pass the
bar, which having been accomplished safely,
returned to the boat.
To-day we passed several towns in WiScOn-
sin, but somehow they seem to be far behind
our Minnesota towns. However, they came
| or II "a
demonstrations yet il was said OF one of them
that there was not white handkerchief in
town as there was not one waved at us.
Whether true or not am unable to say. but if
true. | would suggest that they might have
found a substitute, as did q lady in one of our
Minnesota towns. who greeted us with the de-
mons;ratiOns of the rest of her SEX by waving
an uncomfortable article at us, which OF u
reasonable di-tance would not have been OH
served but being near shore il was discovered,
causing great merriment among some of the
| boys.
We arrived at Winona about 8 o'clock A. NJ,
| where we remained long enough TO allow Co.
II to go ashore and see their friends. The levee
was throng-d with large number of people.
who, like her sister towns above. were full of
enthusiasm. cheering, &c. The Winona brass
band came out to greet US. which, although
small band, played well. Winona is The moss
business like looking place below ST. Paul.
We arrived at La Crosse at noon, where We
remained short time only. Crowds Hooked
to see US and greeted US the same as our MIN
nesOta towns. La Crosse appears dull now.
st. Paul apparently does more business. We
got Milwaukee papers of this morning. Inc
10th, giving Us the favorable news from Gen:
Grant that he had crosse the James river and
was only one and half miles from RIcnmond.
l earnestly hope his army VIII nave taken
Richmond by the time this reaches you. Yet
l hardly dare trust so for we nave Been de-
ceived and disaI pointed so many llnes before.
There is also news of Il Federal repuise IN Ten
nessee, which will probably bring Us forward
in that direction. We hope not, as we are in
hopes we NAV get orders 10 go to the Potomac
when we vet 10 Cairo. Almost every officer
and man in the regiment is dtsirous of being
attached to the Army of the Potomac
At BrownevjlIe, four miles below La Crosse.
the boat landed long enough to allow Comp "
K tn ,ro ashOr. and see their friends, ana bid
them Goodbye Company X was raised here
ond of course met with generous welcome,
Here we leave the last MINI. sofa town. and
now we begin to feel that We are getting among
strangers, yet thus far they treat us well. We
really can see no difference between the people
of Iowa and Minnesota.
At II O'Clock T. NJ. We arrived at Prairie du
Chen. Alter discharging lew passengers we
passed on down stream. The IiaSca was lying
at the wharf ready to start for The upper Mis-