The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-12-13

All acquisitions, bills of lading and in.
voices, will be countersigned by the military
commander, or by such officers as be may
designate for the purpose. i ~
Each agent will so transmit his business
and keep his accounts that as little injury
as possible may accrue to private citizens
who may maintain, or may within reason
able time resume, the character OF loyal
citizens of the United States.
ARMY OFFICERS DISMISSED.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 5-Vice President
Hamlin has appointed Senators Fessenden
and Trumbull, Regents of the Smithsonian
Institution, to fill vacancies occasioned by
the death of Senator Douglas, and the trea-
son of Mason.
Assistant Surgeon J. G. Herndon, Of
Virginia, has been dismissed by direction of
the President. for deserving his post.
Major Lynde has also been dismissed for
a similar reason, aud for subsequently SUR
rendering his command to an inferior force
of insurgents in New Mexico.
Mastering officers, who have not already
done so, are requested to send the rolls on
which they have mustered regiments, to the
Adiutant Generals Office in Washington.
A Richmond paper of the Sd, says Messrs.
Bell, Merit and Conr ad took seats in Con-
gress to day from Missouri.
A despatch from Richmond says grand
demonstration will, be made on York river
by the Unionists to weaken the Potomac
line.
NEW ARMY ORDER.
WASHINGTON, Dec. San army order
just issued by the Secretary of War, directs
all officers and enlisted men of the volun-
teer service, now prisoners in the hands of
the enemy, or reported as missing in action
or may hereafter be taken prisoners or
reported missing, be transferred to skeleton
regiments to be formed by the Governors of
the respective States, and to consist entirely
of such missing officers and men: The va
cancies thus occasioned in the regiments
will be filed by Governors of the various
States to which the regiments belong.
FAULKNER TO BE RELEASED.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 5-Several vessels
some of large size have arrived from the
lower Potomac. One passed the rebel bat.
teries in daylight, but was unmolested.
Charles F. Faulkner of Virginia will be
released from custody on parole. He will
Immediately endeavor to secure similar
release of the Hon. Alfred Ely, but if un.
successful, be pledges himself to return to
custody in thirty days.
The papers relating to Foreign Affairs
accompanying the Presidents message COW
er 425 pages beginning with Buchanan's
Circular OF February 28th; the last address,
ed to our Ministers abroad by Secretary
Black.
SCOUTING--NEWS FROM BEAUFORT.
Special to Iribune.-Colonel Leonard of
the 18th Masshucetts telegraphed to Gen.
Banks yesterday, that his men at Hancock
shelled and dispersed party passing west.
ward, too small for attack but large enough
for trouble.
For some time past the enemy has sent
out daily from Fairfax Court House, q
scouting party of 1000 or 1000 men, It
breaks up into squads of about so or 100
who attack our picket guards.
Lieutenant Knight OF company B, Sd
regiment New Jersey, went with SIS men as
far as Bakers station on the Orange and
Alexandria Railroad. They stretched two
telegraph wires across old Braddock road.
One as high as the forehead of man on
horseback, the other lower and awaited the
result on this side.
Presently half company of rebel caval-
ry dashed up on charge. The wires I'm.
seated two or three and threw the rest into
confusion.
Our men rushed up, emptied six saddles
and took one prisoner. Eight OF the party
who were in ambush completed the rout and
emptied two more saddles. Eight horses
galloped within our lines. One horseman
taken prisoner was Orderly Sergeant Dun
ham of the 9Th Georgia Huzzars. He
gives information respecting the enemies
scouting expedition.
He says that the Post Office hitherto at
Fairfax has been removed to Manassas.
A letter from Port Royal states that
recently taken prisoner there says that the
ship Fingal from Glasgow, with 70 rifed
cannon, and cargo OF rifles and munitions
of war, run up the Savannah river in fog
since our feet captured forts Walker and
Beauregard, and that there are 600O SOL
diers at Savannah. This information is
discredited at the Navy Department.
Letters found on prisoners recently taken
speak of the arrival of vessel laden with
contrabands of war, in the latter part of
November. She is probably the last that
will reach that point.
Interesting Southern News.