The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-01-20

be too large to move about or work expe-
ditiously; and then the system of intrench.
ing makes them reluctant to break up :" 6
home"
In passing through Washington / pre-
sented myself at the White House, and il
happened that just before was received
by the President, news had reached him Of
the Confederate raid from Canada and The
robbery of the St. Adams Bank, This
furnished an occasion to Mr.. Lincoln fol
INDUCING in good-humored characteristic
sally. "We are not so well off for mon.
ey," said he, "that there is any necessity
for parties from across the border to come
and rob the banks"
On going from Baltimore to New York
/ was struck with feature in the charac-
ter of the Americans which has often
been remarked upon by English travellers
the patience and resignation with which
they submit to Inconvenience and dis
| comforts which in England would be re-
sented as an invasion of personal privile-
ges or breach of positive engagement.
The cars were so crowded that many pas
sengers stood the greater part of the way.
Think of persons, after paying for seats
from London to Liverpool, submitting to
such treatment from the railway compa-
ny! Beyond the request to some one to
rise and give seat to one-legged officer,
no attempt was made to displace occu-
pants. The Americans are becoming very
French in their appearance and manners,
wearing uniforms in the streets, steamers,
hotels, cafes, &c. They take good deal
OF license as regards dress, especially in
their fancy hats, some of them resembling
the old cavaliers, and really very comfort
able and picturesque. I cannot conceive
of them in future other than military
people; but, whenever l inquired, what,
after the war, was to become of the young
generals met in all directions, some un-
der twenty-five years Of age, was told
they would return to their former pursuits,
for we are a peculiar people, and can
adapt ourselves to circumstances. T
found, however, that if this topic was pur-
sued, and they were encouraged to talk
on, they would generally end by intima-
ting that Napoleons protege would have
to be driven out of Mexico. That seemed
to be fixed resolve with great many to
whom l spoke regarding the future career
of the American armies.
Before this struggle closes there will be
SO great development and improvement
in all kinds of arms both for military and
naval warfare, that the world will act
wisely in leaving itself open to profit by
American ingenuity. Visited the famous
foundry for casting Parrot guns, and the
whole process was explained to me by
the proprietor. l saw three-hundred-
FOUNDER cast, and was told the establish
lishment could produce three guns a day.
The strengthening the guns by bands or
coils seems to have been 30 successful
that Gas l was told) no accident had hap
pened to a "Parrot in either the mill
tary or naval service. l also visited
mandatory of seven-shooters, not revolt
vers, but rifles, loaded throvgh the butt,
each cartridge being forced up by wire
similar to what we see used in carriage
lamps. l inquired respecting these guns
when / was with the army. In action they
lead to waste of ammunition, especially
in the hands of raw troops; but they are
very destructive when entrusted to known
cool shots, and would enable very few
men to defend q narrow pass, gate
way, etc.
have travelled upwards of three thou
sand miles in the Federal States, and saw
very little to remind me that the country
was involved in war, and certainly nothing
Indicative of suffering or exhaustion. /
saw the return of some one hundred DAYS
regiments, force most admirably planned
for spending money uselessly, enriching
clothiers, and unsettling young men. They
are very unfavorably regarded by the reg
ular army at the front. have come to
the conclusion that the resources of the
Federals, both as regards men and money,
| are practically inexhaustible. And so
great is the advantage they possess in their
navy and in the monopoly Of water trans
portation, that it will in no way detract
from the pluck and endurance displayed
| by the Confederates whenever they do
agree to terms. Lee, 10 particular, has
displayed the very highest order of gen.
eralship, and, making every allowance for
the assistance he has derived from thor
ough knowledge of the country, and from
the facility with which earthworks, the
marked feature of the war, are now i'm
provised, the length of time he has held
the Federals at Bay in Virginia will for.
ever rebound to the credit of his military
genias.