Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1864-07-06

CAMP CLowSEY, near Ft. Smelling,
MINI, June 16, 1864. I
George w Bliss Esq,
Dear Sir-I am reminded that on the de-
parture Of the Burton Guards from Mineral
Point you invited me to drop you an occa-
sional line Through lack of interesting top
ic in connection with company and regi-
ment, have delayed acting upon your sug-
eestion up to the present: but we have at
last arrived at an era of active duty outside
the State of Wisconsin. | now write on
broad Minnesota prairie within half a mile
of Fort Smelling. The weather is hot and
dry, and the country suffering from drouth-
but the landscape is beautiful indeed | am
reminded here most of the country between
Patteyille and Hazel Green-fine rolling pra-
ries interspersed with beautiful groves Tho
not so extensively cultivated as around our
Wisconsin homes, vet there are many fine
farms with indications of thrift, anG wealth
and enterprise, bright premontions of future
prosperity. Within two miles of US are the
beautiful falls of Minnehaha, a shallow, play
full, clear stream about &c feet wide, falling
over a precipice 60 feet high. Longfellow
has thrown Il classic interest around this lit
tie stream. Seven miles from camp and on
the same road, passing over a beautiful coun-
try, brings US to the thrifty town of Mime
apoiis, connected by suspension bridge over
the Mississippi to St. Anthony, the future
Il
celled if equalled by anything the CONT
nent. Yankee enterprise has not left the
catarac5 of the Upper Mississippi to sing his
wild song alone; but intermingling with his
roar, is the hum and buzz OF ms schinerv
fonring mills planning mills, saw mills, SHIN
gle and pail factories lend new interest to the
solemn wildness of the scene; but time will
allow rs TO linger no longer this theme.
viii give you passing glance at the late
Is
b, f, and X commanded by our sturdy
Major Clownev. We left Milwaukee for La
Crosse on Saturday, June 4th Sunday morn
ing found us gailv stemmiug the Mississippi
on the steamer Hudson for ST. Paul, where
we arrived Tuesday morning; thence we had
a dusty overland route tn Fort Smelling, and
now we are encampcd near the fort but now
all in hustle preparing for our western cam
paign. on which we shall start Tomorrow
our destination some point on James river IN
Dahcota territory, where shall establish
new post on the Indian frontier, forming one
of a chain of posts protecting the new route
to the Idaho gold regions. Gar expedition
does not altogether partake of a military
character There will be a large amount of
other implements for farming blacksmithing,
carpentering, &C., besides quartermaster stores
sent with the expedition, and every effort is
being made that will add to the comfort of all
CONCERNED on the route. We are all sanguine
of pleasant and happy trip. We ca.not of
course tell what Is hid in the future, but pos
Siblv the remaining portion of cur term of
service NAV be spent in these western wilds,
and that there NAV be openings there for
prosperous enterprise after dark war shall
cease TO lay its obligations on US in the ser
vice of our country. But Cf this the future
must tell. must haste TO a close. Capt.
Devlin and Lieut. Priestly arrived in camp
this morning. We start, no preventing prov
idence. tomorrow. The boys are all jubiant
aud well, and eager for the march. Possibly
you NAV hear from US again at Fort Rid"ely,
MINI. Direct correspondence TO Fort Ridge
", Mimi, TO follow detachment
Truly and respectfully,
w. II. GIL.
Co r. 3Oth Wis Vols