The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-10-18
From Washington.
THE SITUATION.

WASHINGTON, Oct. To- Times Dispatch
/ am satisfied that for the present our troops
will remain where they are; not moving
forward or falling back, but quietly await
ing the action of the rebels
Weather extremely cold, with heavy white
frost this morning.
[1ribune's Dispatch. An intelligent
contraband, who came into Gen. McCall's
camp this morning, reports that when he
left Fairfax Court House yesterday at two
P. NJ, no movement of the rebels was on
foot. The rebel troops are destitute of
nearly everything except fresh beef They
had plenty OF blankets, but great scarcity
of shoes. They were tearing up the rail-
road tracks to Vienna, and hauling them
to Fairfax Court House. Should there be
battle to morrow, no sufficient accommOs
dations could be had for the wounded. At
present, the hospitals are filed with sick
soldiers. The number discharged because
physically unfit for duty at the time of en-
lstment, was very large. Colonies and
Captains have shown themselves anxious to
raise men, and to see that they are good
men. New buildings, however, are in pro.
cess of erection, sufficient for all contingent
cies.
The Herald's dispatch says this afternoon,
soon after FIVE O'Clock, small detachment
of rebel infantry and squad of rebel cav
airy appeared in view around house occu-
pied by Widow Childs, about three miles
from Miners Hill. A body of our troops
who were out on foraging expedition, ads
vanced upon them. A sharp skirmish inns
medately took place, and for time firing
was sharp on both sides, when the rebels
were driven from the house. One of our
men was wounded. 1t is impossible to learn
the rebel loss. 1t is believed number had
sacreted themselves in out buildings; but af-
ter the firing of the first shell from Miner s
Hill they left.
WASHINGTON, Oct. ia detachment of
the rebels last night approached the position
occupied by the federal troops of General
Smiths division, near Townsville, and threw
shells and shot into the camp, but were
driven off. None of our men we're injured.
The suddenness of the attack, however, led
to the belief that a more serious demon
stration was intended, and the troops were
kept under arms during the night.
The federal army this morning advanced
to position two miles beyond Townsville.
The steamer which came up this morning
reports all quiet down the river. She lay
under Matthias Point Sunday transferring
stores to the Howell Cobb, and neither vessel
was molested by the rebels. The rebels
seemed to be constructing a work of some
strength at Ship Point and the lower side
of Quantico Point, where, if not dislodged,
they may prove of some annoyance. 1t is
thought, however, that the work is merely
defensive on the part of the rebels, and with
view to prevent any landing of forces
thereabouts, supposing we intended TO take
that route to Manassas or Richmond. The
schooner Vance was fired into by the rebel
pickets from Norwaine Cliffs near Thaddeus
Point, last Saturday, but the Island Belle
sent shell in among the bushes, which dis
persed the rebels.
Especial to Post. The War Department
has decided to invest Generals Mcdowell,
Stone and Heitzleman with the commands
of different divisions OF the army.
Gen. Scott is in excellent health and ex-
ceedingly active.
The Common Council of Washington
mas ordered new election for Mayor, Mr..
Berritt's resignation having left the Office
vacant.
The report has been circulated TO the
effect that the President has refused to con-
firm the appointment of Rev. j. G. Fetch
er as Secretary of Legation to Rio De Ja-
nerio is entirely false. Mr. Fletcher's ap
pointment will undoubtedly be confirmed.
Large numbers of our sick and wounded
soldiers have been removed to the hospitals
recently established in Baltimore.