The
Wonder Was That, At Such A Period, All Means Of Public Conveyance
Were Not Put Absolutely Out Of Gear.
One might surmise that when
regiments were constantly being moved for the purposes of civil
war - when the whole
North had but the one object of collecting
together a sufficient number of men to crush the South - ordinary
traveling for ordinary purposes would be difficult, slow, and
subject to sudden stoppages. Such, however, was not the case
either in the Northern or Western States. The trains ran much as
usual, and those connected with the boats and railways were just as
anxious as ever to secure passengers. The boat clerk at La Crosse
apologized amply for the delay; and we sat ourselves down with
patience to await the arrival of the second Minnesota Regiment on
its way to Washington.
During the four hours that we were kept waiting we were harbored on
board a small steamer; and at about eleven the terribly harsh
whistle that is made by the Mississippi boats informed us that the
regiment was arriving. It came up to the quay in two steamers - 750
being brought in that which was to take us back, and 250 in a
smaller one. The moon was very bright, and great flaming torches
were lit on the vessel's side, so that all the operations of the
men were visible. The two steamers had run close up, thrusting us
away from the quay in their passage, but doing it so gently that we
did not even feel the motion.
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