The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-05-27

Inc DugIe sounded and on we marched,
reacning Feilclana at half past four. This
town is reported to be Union town. but was
not spared from irregular spoliation.
One OF the veterans went to sick man. and,
pointing revolver at him. demanded his
money. He freely gave him $3.
In the town good many of the houses were
locked up. but the veterans broke open the
doors, and from one took out several barrels OF
whisky and distributed it among their com.
| rades.
These vets were camped by field where
were lot of hogs, and they chased them all
over the field, killing good many with clubs.
In the town was house owned by Doctor,
known to men of our regiment to be a good
Union man. lie was away from home on bus
mess, and the place was in charge of a cOlOred
servant alone. The veterans went into this
house and tumbled out everything they could.
l went in and tried my best to keep them from
destroying things. One would have carried
Off the books, but prevented him. Then a
shut and locked, but the guard (veteran) them
selves broke open the door again.
Some OF these men declare that they are
right in taking what they want to eat, but
and the Others that did not steal anything tra-
veled as well as any of them.
In the morning Colonel Jennison formed the
Tenth in column by divisions, and made them
business to leave the ranks and go into pri-
vate house or any other building, or any field.
lie said further, 81 do not want to take the
Tenth back TO Minnesota graduated as thieves
and I'll be id if l will" He added that
none OF our men should be permitted to
struggle, on any excuse and cautioned the
officers to keep them together and in the
ranks.
1t would take too much space to mention all
the incidents of theft and robbery in these five
days-but one more. In the town these bold
veterans went into the post Office, broke open
the safe, destroyed all the papers and took all
the money and divided it among themselves.
We marched to Mayfeld without Interrupt
ton, halted in town short time, where Col
b. was detailed for Col. Moore's body guard,
and then the rest marched about mile from
town and camped in small clearing in the
woods At midnight the long roll was sound
ed and we were soon in line, but in half IN
hour were dismissed. In the morning we
learned that when our pickets were put out.
the bushwhackers were inside them and at
midnight had made rush and captured ten
out Of thirteen and marched them Oft. not
giving them time to dress. They were vete-
rams, had imagined all safe and had taken off
their accOutrements, their shoes and socks,
and had even removed the caps from their gun
tubes. The first shot fired was by man
challenged by picket, who made the usual
".Ao"Ci Va iACAuS, sbufaHCluy NTeu AZ buc
picket. The ball hit his brass belt plate and
did not hurt him.
The town was full of rebs, but Col. Moore
came away without demanding one captured
picket from them.
From Mayfield, we came to Clinton, and at
every house they had pitiful story to tell of
their losses by our troops-but enough of that
We reached our camp here Monday the 9th,
having been out five days and half with only
two men sick.
Let me add few remarks. did not enlist
to steal, and do not think l am licensed to
commit that crime by being soldier And,
though am in favor of everything and any
thing that will put down the rebellion. l am
opposed to this robbing in a State that has re-
manned in the Union. 1t makes me almost
hate the sight of my blue clothes, that ought
to be dress of honor, to remember how
Uncle Sans $iO2 boys behave themselves
towards old men, women and chidren,-and
that In Union State. l am ready for battle
field whenever i. is necessary. but l hope never
to be on another raid" for believe God will
punish those who rob the innocent children.
Yours j. 4. &.