The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-06-07

WARRINGTON, June 5.
The Speakership of the next House will
probably be given to Grow of Pennsylva-
MIA or Blair of Missouri.
The State Department will be draped in
mourning tomorrow in memory of Senator
Douglas.
Trustworthy intelligence has been received
to the effect that the enemy is in motion,
and an attack on our lines within twenty
Jour hours is looked for. 1t is known that
the rebels are in desperate situation that
the Harper's Ferry troops are on the point
OF being attacked and will be forced by the
cooperating movements OF Generals Nc
Clellan and Patterson to retreat, be cut off,
or make forlorn hope OF an attack o. this
city. 1t is probable that if made it will be
on this side of the Potomac, the foe cross
ing above the entertainments at Arlington
Heights and at Alexandria, which are too
strong to he attempted. We are ready at
all points vigilant and sufficient. 1t is
rumored tosnight that Harper's Ferry has
been evacuated and the troops marched
South, but the rumor could not be traced
to any authoritative source.
1t is not improbable that a forward
movement will take place during the next
forty eight hours. The first move will be
upon Fairfax Court House three regi-
ments, probably the Fire Zouaves, the Mich
igan regiment and the fifth Massachusetts,
will form the advancing column, to be sup
ported in case of necessity by the entire re-
naming force on the Virginia side, the
number and strength of which will be in>
creased by several regiments on this side
hot hovv vi x<>h ol1
in readiness, and are expecting to cross the
river either tonight or to morrow. The
railroad and telegraph between that point
and Alexandria will be put in working
order.
Gen. Mcdowell does not expect the re-
bells to make stand at the Court House.
He is said to have received positive inte Iii.
gence that the rebels there had received
orders not to offer any resistance in case the
federal troops should advance but to fall
back on Manassas Junction.
Gen. James proposed, several weeks
since, to take ten or more of his shot and
she'll instruments down the Potomac, and
silence any batteries that could be discover
ed in the Potomac or Chesapeake Bay, but
the proposition was refused. The proposal
was made again to-day. The Secretary of
the Navy accepted and the General has left
for New York to execute his plans.
A despatch to the World says there can
be but little doubt that movement will be
made on Manassas Junction soon after
midnight. 1t is ascertained from reliable
information that several regiments are under
marching orders in this city. About 5000
troops are there, who have entertainments
thrown up aud battery made of railroad
iron, from rails torn from the Orange and
Alexandria railroads. A short distance
this side of Manassas there are $500 South
Carolina troops. There is no truth in
statements in New York papers to-day
that Fairfax is occupied by Federal troops.
Herald's correspondence IA gentle
man employed by government to visit Har-
per's Ferry, Point of Rocks, and the sur
rounding country to ascertain as nearly as
possible the number of troops, the strength
and position of the Notifications, and the
number of batteries at these points has just
returned and made his report to Govern
ment, bringing with him map of the
country. He was arrested and was held
prisoner about thirty hours. He played
the secession game on them and proved
sound to their entire satisfaction. At the
Point of Rocks three two pound batteries
are erected on the Virginia side; on the
Maryland side there were $50 men stationed
as picket guards, where they were just
erecting batteries. The guards took him
from there to Harper's Ferry, where he
was detained for some time. Here he as
certained, through seveaal of the soldiers,
the number and the names of the regiments.
There are fourteen full regiments at Har-
per's Ferry and the Point of Rocks. Af-
ter he was released, there seemed to be
plenty OF arms be saw them open boxes,
and at once arm those that had just ar
rived. At Harpers Ferry, they have a
large number of heavy batteries planted on
all sides, and were busily engaged in con-
structing others at all available points
where they could be effectively raised
WASHINGTON, June 4.
Special to Commercial The oath of
allegiance was administered yesterday to
the employees of the Navy Yard; three
persons refused to take it, and were imme-
diately discharged.
The army is undergoinga thorough res
organization. All junior officers in service
commissions for officers of new regiments
are being made out, and will be sent in for
confirmation at the ensuing session of the
Senate.
New appoiutees will fill the place of pro-
NOTED officers.
ALEXANDRIA, June
AS soon as Fairfax is occupied th rail-
road from Alexandria to that point will be
put in running order and troops ior the at.
tack on Manassas Junction will. be trans
ported from here. The arrangements for
the immediate repair of the road are all
complete and the work can be done in two
days.
NEW YORK, June 4.
The teamboat r. R. Cuyler was COM
missioned yesterday, and sails to-day for
the Gulf.
CHAMBERsBURG, June 4.
A person from Sharpesburg, Md, states
the rebels have sent over 500 sick soldiers
back to Winchester, the diseases being