The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-01-27
their friends beyond the great lakes of

Let the disappearance of the foxes from
the vicinity Of the minnie hole be attri-
buted to whatever cause we choose, the
fact that they were not ''thar nor thara-
bouts, proved death blow to the ambi-
tiOus aspirations Of the three scouts, and
Solomon and Paul (named after men who
figured at different periods of the olden-
time, and became noted for different Pc
culiarities) are allowed to wear their lau-
rels uncontested, and are quietly moving
down the "course Of time," the fastest
fox hunters of their age and generation.
But what gives this little fox affair i'm
came the head and front of series of in
cldents with which to make UP a letter.
1t brought with it a three days storm,
followed by some very fine weather in the
midst OF which Christmas appeared, &C
. companled by "reminiscences of devilled
oysters, (devil one had we,) roast tur-
Key, christmas trees, fried sausage (before
the dog law was enforced), belschnickles,
I buckwheat cakes, suspended stockings.
candy and picked birch. Everything ap-
peared lovely, when you looked to the
rear, but in the front, nary a SAUSAGE or
turkey, and but few trees met the e1nec-
tant gaze.
After Christmas came New Years. the
interim being filed up with the glorious
news from Sherman and Thomas, the re-
appearance of buffalo in the James river
valley, and practical illustration of the
force OF gravity which demonstrated that
the density of water was not sufficient of
itself, to retain crowbar on its surface.
Early in the New Year there was an
other arrival of Sissitons from Devils
Lake to surrender themselves to the au.
thorities here. They confirmed the report
that about one hundred lodges would be
in to surrender in the Spring. e.9
About the time of the arrival of these
Indians, a salute of thirty-six guns was
fired under the direction of Lieut.. Weston,
commanding one section. of Capt. Jones'
battery, stationed here. The officers and
men of the fort intended this salute in
honor OF the successes gained by our troops
under Sherman and Thomas The Sissitons,
who arrived while the salute was being
fired, at first thought the guns were being
Tired at them, but after a while, finding
that % nobody was hurt they concluded
they were being fired for them, and in
honor OF their appearance, aud they came
forward without fear or reluctance.
Yesterday was day filled with impor-
tant incidents. We had news that four
teen buffalo had been killed the day pre-
viOus by the friendly Indians at the scouts
camp on the James, and also that there
would be an exchange of A. @. Ms be-
tween this post and Fort Abercrombie,
Capt. Mills being assigned to duty here,
and Capt. McKusick being assigned to
Abercrombie. By this exchange in the
officers of the Quartermasters department,
Fort Wadsworth will lose, and Fort Aber-
crombie will gain-two hundred pounds
averdupois. arI gra
Major Rose, commanding at this post,
will leave st. Paul about the 14th or 18th !
inst, having been ordered down on husi-
ness, presume, connected with the con |
struction of the fort and military opera
lions of this sub district the coming spring
and summer
Talking of Lieut.. Weston, the men of his
section OF the battery have presented him
with fine horse costing $40, as a New
Years present. This is fine testimonial, |
well bestowed, as Lieut.. Weston is q good
officer, and although a strict disciplinarian,
is very popular with his men.
The scurvy has made its appearance
among the troops here. There are already
several cases, and the number is increas-
ing almost daily, and fears are now enter
tanned that it will spread extensively be-
fore spring unless prompt measures are
taken to stop the progress of the disease
Uncle Sam. should not allow expense to
be any object in the way of furnishing po-
tatoes to the troops on the frontier con-
stantly. Had supply been furnished
here last fall, the scurvy would probably
not have appeared, and if they are not fur
nished during the winter, many lives may
be lost, and the efficiency of the command
may be diminished one-half next spring,
when the work On the Fort will require
large force to carry it on effectively.
think have given you all the items
worthy of notice, up to date, and will now
await patiently, McQawber like, for g some
thing to turn up. Yours, DC. ~ go
c. HARMIN.s