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

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At eightso'olock the call Of "boots and
saddles' soon brought the horses out
saddled and>bridled, aud the, mon with
their Spencer seven shooting carbines
slung over their shoulders and Colts
revolver in their belts were standing
10 Horse" Atthe command, "Pre-
pare to mount !" every man's left foot.
sought the stirrup, and each With the
left hand gathering the reins vaulted
into the saddle, with a
clatter Of accoutrements at ;"Mount!"
~: While waiting for the command,
"Forward p We will examine one of
the scouts and see his preparations for
a three days gallop over the county
He is "veteran" and the trip is but
an excursion ; he takes to it with a
relish; it is"keen enjoyment for him.
A good horse well shod, well groomed,
and the cavalry equipments we'll placed
everything taut, trim and tight. At
'tached behind his saddle, strapped Sc
curely in 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 End two loaves Of
bread or "hard tack" three tin cans,
once filled with. preserves in suffers
"shebang," containing salt, coffee and
sugar; a plate, spoon, knife and fork,
complete the kit. From the strap out
side bangles tin cup, and tied on the
sac K 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 ope Side, chunk
of bacon wrapped il an. old piece o.
gum blank ct is squeezed in The one on
the other side. His Spencer carbine
hangs down on IS riyht-forty rounds
are strapped around him in his car
fridge box his pistol is loaded and
handy. lie has good, stout pocket
knife, piece Of soap wrapped up in
his pocket and money in handy amount:
to drive bargain on the march, in :
hurry, and not be delayed long stopping
to trade. His dress consists of blouse
blue trowscrs, army boots with rough
looking spurs, a slouched felt hat and
gray shirt. The weather being warn
he is not cumbered with blanket o.
overcoat. He is fresh, confident, smi
ling and eager-a practical commentary
on dress parade soldiers
The, command given we started Of
on brisk walk by twos. Steadily w
move on. without halt for tifteer
miles, and when We dismounted at :
farm house for two hours rest, dur
ing the heat of the day, the horse'
were not SO restless, nor were we 81
fresh and boHyaht. "A few con6scatet
sheaves Of oats were given to the hor
ses. A slice Of bread and cup of cof
fee being disposed of, we sought nal
under tree, from which we we're arous
ed by Saddle up" After the start
two men rode on before the troop as
precaution against surprise from squad
Of guyr;illas that infest the valley. In
hnbitahts were questioned, and citizen
examined who were stopped on th'
road, and, in many instances used Al
guides. We reached Sales Creek
twenty-eight miles from camp, just be
fore dark aud quartercd our horses il
esquire Pierson's'' stable. Horse
needing, shoes repaired were sent t
the village blacksmith, who happcne'
to be oontraband, and tho work wa
done. Before We fed, every horse ha'
to have his back washed in cold waite
and his legs we'll rubbed: After feed
ing out some of the oats we carried AM
helping ourselves to the Squire's shea
oats, a. guard was stationed and. th
boys with their trusty carbines close q
hand, rolled away 10 the hay NOV
curled up in fence corners and stretch
ed themselves lengthwise in mange1
u 1tllu1lllIn - = h0arl ,s.aan the order
: ii'i r.