Of Course, They Were
More Awkward Than The Boys, Even Though They Were Twice More
Assiduous In Their Efforts.
Of course, they were sad and wretched.
I saw men there that were very wretched - all but heart-broken, if
one might judge from their faces.
They should not have been there
handling sticks, and moving their unaccustomed legs in cramped
paces. They were as razors, for which no better purpose could be
found than the cutting of blocks. When such attempts are made the
block is not cut, but the razor is spoiled. Most unfit for the
commencement of a soldier's life were some that I saw there, but I
do not doubt that they had been attracted to the work by the one
idea of doing something for their country in its trouble.
From Fort Snelling we went on to the Falls of Minnehaha.
Minnehaha, laughing water. Such, I believe, is the interpretation.
The name in this case is more imposing than the fall. It is a
pretty little cascade, and might do for a picnic in fine weather,
but it is not a waterfall of which a man can make much when found
so far away from home. Going on from Minnehaha we came to
Minneapolis, at which place there is a fine suspension bridge
across the river, just above the falls of St. Anthony and leading
to the town of that name. Till I got there I could hardly believe
that in these days there should be a living village called
Minneapolis by living men.
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