The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-05-24
SAINT PAUL. FRIDAY. MAY "a, 1861.
From Memphis and Cairo.


of the United States troops in the North
west, is expected to take commanded Cairo
this week. As soon as he assumes COM
mand, gradual concentration of troops to
the number of 10000 Will commence. Com
prehensive measures will also be taken to
strengthen that point by erecting FORMS
liable battery at the confluence Of the rivers,
and by the removal of the Illinois Central
side tracks along the Ohio levee. Many
private buildings have been purchased, to
make room Tor the proposed Qualifications.
We quote the following items from Cairo
correspondence E:
Reports of Southern movements to at
tack Cairo are not believed, though re-
peated by each new GOMEZ. Gen. Prentiss
has private means of knowing what is 60
ing on, and fall confidence is placed in him.
Either an attack will be made on Cairo, or
an expedition will be seut South from here
before hot weather sets ia. The troops
now in camp are ready for anything; they
are in excellent discipline and good health,
not twenty being sick.
General Prentiss first assumed the title of
Brigadier General to-day. The balance of
his staff is not yet decided on.
General Prentiss replied to message
from Governor Magoffin to-day, denying
the right of the Governor to interrOgate
him about the late arrest of spy from
Columbus Kentucky.
We regret to learn that large number
of men at Camp Hardin have fallen sick
since their arrival, and that there has been
slight per cent. of mortality among them.
For some time, it is said, this post was
poorly provisioned, the volunteers being
wholly without bread for two days in sue
cession. We further hear that they are
still greatly in need of blankets, shirts,
shoes and stockings.
The sickness is attributable, in great
measure, to these wants, aud unless they are
all speedily supplied, the robust men of yes
terday will soon become the skeletons OF
to day.
A number of sick, having individual
means to provide for themselves, are quar-
tered in neighboripg farm houses, where
they receive all those kind mnistratons
which the generous and sympathetic natures
of our people so willingly bestow.
From the Memphis papers OF the l4h.
Edward Pucket, an abolitionist, charged
with tampering with negroes, was, on the
9th of May, at Grand Glaize, Ark, put on
board the steamer Admirable, done up in a
box, and described in the bill OF fading as
some live abolitionist." He was after
wards transferred to the Kanawha Valley,
which boat yesterday duly delivered the live
article over to the Memphis safety commit
tee, by which body he was yesterday shipped
on board the Belle Memphis, for Cairo.
We are advised that prominent iron
worker of Cincinnati has commeced the
manufacture of iron plates, eight by three
and half foot surface, and one and three
fourth inches thick, for the purpose of being
used in the construction ofgun boats. These,
when completed, will, it is thought, be i'm
pervious to balls, except such as are projected
from heavy columbiads, Dahlgren or rihed
cannon. The boats are to be built OF
broad beam, and to draw but little water,
the armament to be one or two heavy CO.
lumbiads. They are being built as secretly
as possible, each part being made separately,
and it is intended, when everything is ready;
to put on sufficient force to complete them
in few days. Our forces should not delay
preparations to receive these customers.
MIME aud Maynard rifles can now be
bought at half what they cost two weeks ago
Large supplies are arriving from the South
daily. The anti~war prices continue i'll
New Orleans.
General Pillow, in company with In
spector General Carroll, lett for Randolph,
for the purpose OF inspecting and mastering
into service the vo. unteers stationed at that