St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1864-12-08

fA"1o A"VJ udVC uCcu COmIiS III Tor the
past fortnight a,ld as soon as practicable
were sent on to Nashville, the entire roll
ing stock of the road being used for thaipur-
pose for few days. During the last ten
days an average Of four thousand rat,ons
per day Of bread and meat have been is
sued TO these unfortunate creatures by the
post commissary. Five trains loaded with
these people and their effects came in few
days ago and took occasion to look in
upon them as they we're scattered about
and see the want, misery, degradation and
woe. 1t was sad sight and ones heart
sickened at the terrible exhibition Of the
misery produced by relentless. remorsc-
less war. For a distance Of halt a mile,
covering all available space, on the plat
forms and between the tracks of the net
work Of railway, inside of the s!orehouses
and occupying empty box cars, perched
upon boxes and piles Of lumber. could be
seen junlbled in one continuous heap, men,
women aud children, black and white, old,
decrepit aud young, rich aid poor, each
group with a few household ar,icl.s, bed
ding. quilts, chairs, cooking utensils, trunks
aud boxes. In one old building were five
pianos: All had a sad: woe begoue look
some were sleeping, some cooking, others
eating; little children were plenty, gam
boiling about on the heaps Of truck Will,
their innocent, laughing faces presenting
a marked contrast to the saldened express
sions of those around them. Many had
built temporary shelters of loose boards,
ties, joists and odds and ends lying scat
tered about the depot.
Conversing with an intelligent man, who
seemed to be in midiling circumstances,
about the state of the country near Allan.
Ia, where he Was from, he said: IL have a
farm, good dwelling and farm, but nothing
to live upon. l have some money; but
the necessaries of life were not in the
country to be bought" And 90 it was
with many. While amcng these people l
wished all those who were first aud FORE
most to plunge their people in rebellion
could see them. And also wished that
those Of the North could look upon the
scene-upon this, one of the stern reali-
ties of war;.
In u few days these poor creatures will
have disappeared from our midst and ar
rived North of The Ohio, when they will be
astonished 10 find that while the South
has been made desolate by war which
She wickedly inaugurated. the North is
more prosperous and happy than the South
ever was in times Of peace. Possibly ev-
cry ono Of these Southern families will one
day return to their warm Southern homes
as missionaries to tell their misguided
brethren, if my are left, of the beauties of
freedom without the clrse Of slavery.
One benefit resulted from this migration.
There were hundreds of able-bodicd ne
groes among the refugccs-which was
quickly taken advantage OF by officers anx.
ious to fill the colorcd regiments stationed
here. Patrols were sent around, and
wiilin 5 and unwilling Sambos were march
cd to camp and persuaded to don the ha-
bll,amen.s Of a soldier and were quickly
installed Into the U. S. service.
The whereabouts of tbs Minnesota troops
in this department is, as near as We can
learn, as follows: The 1st Minnesota Bat
terry, ID and 4th Regiments are with Gen.
Sherman, beyond all mail communication.
The 9th Regiment is at Murfreesbor>,
Tenn. and will likely remain for rome
time, as they a'c building winter quarters.
The 1lth Minnesota is still :at Nashville,
with part Of the command at Ejgefe,d
junction and Gallatin, Tenn, on the Lou
isville s. Nashville railroad. The I'd Min
nesota Battery is stationed in Redan Err
win, battery for field guns, named in
honor of Maj. Erwin, 9th Ohio, who was
killed at the battle of Chattanooga. Capt.
Hotchkiss Of this Battery is acting as chief
of the Garrison artillery. Battery A lst
aeavy Artillery, Is stationed in Fort Mi
halotzy, named in honor Of Col. Mihalotzy.
killed in the affair before Dalton, last Feb.
ruary. Battery is stationed in Fort
Lytle, named in honor of Brig. Gen. Lytle,
killed at the battle Of Chick amauga. Bat.
terry occupies a rcdoubt on high emf
nence overlooking the town; designated
Cameron Hill. These batteries Of heavy
artillery are rapidly getting winter quar-
ters constructed and making themselves
as comfortable as this rainy, variable wealth
er will permit. They drill daily and are
making rapid progress, particularly Bat
terry A, which has a good set of efficers.-
Lieut.. Kinkead,' personally well known to
many Of your readers, has assumed the du-
Tics of Quartermaster of the Garrison Ar
tillcry. Ills business Is extensive aud re-
quires energy, promptitude and a, strict
attention to details. The Lieut. enant has
the qualities necessary, and one feels in
doing business with his Office that every.
thing moves like clockwork, and dispatch,
politeness and good order sre the main
springs. ~ j ~ .7,.,.ss u;.......
The rainy season has commenced and
We get glimpses Of the sun dice q fort
night. Rain and drizzle, mud and mire,
L.