The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-05-05
OUR ARMY CORRESPONDENTS,
Interesting Letter from the Chap
lain Of the Second Minnesota.

: =
lain Of the Second Minnesota.
GoLDsBoRo, N. c., April z, 1855.
We (the 18th A. co. got out of the wilderness
and came into port at this place 23d ult. We
were sixty.two days coming from Savannah,
Ga. This has been remarkable campaign.
We were forty days hearing nothing from our
friends, and but little from our foes. We
marched, I think, nearly 500 miles. 1t rained
aplenty. The swamps filled up and the streams
swelled largely. Much of the road had TO be
corduroyed. Six rivers were pontooned-
the Savannah, Saluda, Broad or Congaree,
Catawba or Wateree, Great Pedee, and Cape
Fear. The Great Pedee was the largest, and
the Savannah the deepest. .g .a+s.G s..
Gen. Sherman was very annoying-to the
rebs-in his pontoon movements. As we ad-
vanced toward . river the enemy would fortify
where he thought Sherman would cross, and
Gen. Sherman would advance as though he
intended to attempt crossing there, then sud-
denly he would slide below or turn above,
throw down his pontoons, and before the enc
my would be apprised Of his movements his
army would be safely across.
Perhaps you have heard how mum6cently
the States of South Carolina and North
Carolina have supported the government
of the United States OF late. They have
done Loyalty. They nearly kept the entire
army, both man and beast, while passing
through them in food, besides furnishing con-
siderable clothing and good many wagons,
mules and horses. A great many contributed
al they possessed, save their land and the
clothes they wore. The poor people curse the
rich and say they were the cause of the war.
There were but a very few men living in the
States of South Carolina and North Carolina
besides infirm men, fools and cripples. was
surprisedyt find the people of the South so
ignorant I think but small part of the COM
mon people can read or write. was often
asked, "What State are You from ?" and when
I would answer Minnesota, they would reply,
:" Minnesota! whyI never hearn of that yer
State" Almost everybody from eight years
old and upward In the South smoke and chew
tobacco. It looked rather odd to see little
but little force of character. They are poor.
Ignorant, dirty, imbecile creatures. The rich
count labor dishonorable. One who labors
whether white or black, cannot associate with
those wis are'abl to live without degrading
themselves BY labor. =
Near Fayetteville, / met with as thought
quite an Intelligent planter. He was about
sixty wears of age, owned twelve slaves and
500 acres Of land. To test the depth of his
L., r
If he remembered In what part Of
Pennsylvania the State of Minnesota was. He
replied, Don't know, sab, never travelled in
them ar parts" Everything Is old style. The
States of Georgia and South and North Carroll
ma are certainly behind the times more than
Lieut.. Colonel Uline arrived here April Sd.
We bad been expecting him for some time, and
were glad to welcome him hoxs again. We
felt his absence and rejoiced q bis coming.
He arrived with eighty men, having left ten
on the way sick and five deserted
They were ten days coming from New York
to Wilmington. They had pretty hard time
of It. being for the FIRST half Of the way con-
fined to the ships hold, and would have been
kept there during the whole voyage but for the
timely interference of the noble Col. Uiine. It
Is shame that our brave soldiers should be
treated thus. 1t reminds one OF the manner
In which slayers used to bring their cargoes
from Africa. The Black Hole of Calcutta or
the old Jersey Prison Ship seem to have found
a counterpart In the General Lyon. While the
ship was rolling in . heavy sea barrel of kero-
sene oil bursted Immediately over the engine
room and the ship would soon have been in
flames had not the guard extinguished the
lights. On the return Of the Gen. Lyon to
New York it took fire from the same cause
aud burned up with nearly all on board. Some
200 Illinois soldiers who had received their
discharge and were on their way home were
burned or drowned. How strange that so
many brave men who had faithfully filled their
term of service should thus die Ii going home.
May the God of all consolation comfort their
friends
The recruits Lieut.. COL Uline brought to MS
are doing finely. / hear the commanding off,
Ger speaking of the proficiency they have al
ready made In the execution Of the manual of
arms. It L. o great advantage to recruits to
Join veteran regiments. The Second Minneso-
tn Regiment now numbers In all $50 men. It
is said, and belive on good authority, that the
Regiment is not only the fullest. but the best
disciplined Regiment in the Sd Division of the
14th A. c.. A few days ago Our brave boys
stood in line, on review of Gen. SchoHeld with
their glistening muskets dressed in their clean
new blue; and it would have made the hearts
of the lovers of the country glad. and her foes
tfembie, to have seen them. AS usual, the I'd
Minnesota Regiment received the praise OF the
General.
But few comparatively Of our men are sick.
am able to reach only those who are with us.
Some are at Savannah, Others at Wilmington
&C., &c. As far as l can ascertain, nearly all
are doing we'll. We are now receiving some
supplies of reading and writing matter through
the U. 8. Christian Commission. It is very
thankfully received. Let me assure your rea
ders that the Christian Commission is q good
institution. and is q great benefit to the army.
We are having religious service now three
times a week. They are we'll attended, and l
am happy to say that religious interest is be-
ing manifested in the Regiment We want to
see every solder of our beloved country plac-
ing her proud banner first below the cross OF
our Lord Jesus Christ. We are now rejoicing
over the fall of Richmond. We are very hope.
full that We shall 5000 rejoice over the close of
this cruel bloody rebellion.
LEVI GLEASON,
Chaplain I'd MINI. Regt. Vol Infantry.