The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-08-02
Our War Correspondence.

July 10, 1861.
A three days march has brought US to
this place, where we found the rear of Gen.
McDowell's division.
The first day, without peril or obstruc>
ton, we advanced from Alexandria to
Poweek creek, and on the second day
tramped by a roundabout road sixteen or
seventeen miles, to station on the Orange
railway, twenty miles from Alexandria,
where we arrived about A Pm.
General Mcdowell had reached Fairfax
Court House before dinner, and number
of Alabama and other troops passed by
this station, flying to Manassas Junction,
two hours before we reached the spot, and
in their rear left burning bridges, to pre-.
vent pursuit.
Yesterday morning Captain Wilkin was
sent up the railway with twenty men, to
scout. He returned in about two hours and
half with intelligence that three miles
distant be perceived about five hundred of
the enemy on hill commanding the road.
In the afternoon Lieutenant Colonel Mil
Ter, with companies A and B, was ordered
to proceed on the railway, and discover if
the bridge at Union Mills was burned
They proceeded about the same distance,
and with the aid of glass Lieutenant Col
onel Miller and Lieutenants Downie and
Thomas all distinctly saw battery of five
or six guns at the point seen by Captain
Wilkin in the morning.
While they were absent the long roll was
sounded and the brigades of Col. Heintzle-
mans division were quickly on the march
again. Just at dark, not far from this place.
we heard that there had been bloody en-.
gagement at Bulls Run, where detach-
ment under General Tyler had been moved
down by masked battery.
Shortly after this rumor,it began to rain,
and we were drenched by nice little
shower. Without provisions, surrounded
by twenty more hungry and wet regiments,
and with nothing but the bad news of the
afternoon fight to digest, we went supper
less to bed, if sleeping in the open air can
be thus designated.
This morning the rumor of last night is
confirmed.
Yesterday about midday, Sherman's Ar
tillery, the 18th and another New York
regiment, marched into the mouth of
masked battery. The men behaved brave
ly, but they could not stand before the gall
ing and unexpected fire, and after time
they retreated, with at least sixty killed.
1t is hiLted by those who profess to know,
that this mishap was occasioned by Tyler,
who is an officer of the regular army, not
strictly following orders.
A negro who escaped from the rebel
army, and was picked up by Lieutenant
Thomas yesterday afternoon towards dusk,
says that bis master, captain, was killed,
and hundreds of others by the fire of our
artillery. He also states that Beauregard
was there, and that shot struck a white
house, in the porch of which the General
was viewing the engagement, and knocked
out one end.
This morning, amidst anathemas fierce
and loud, from long lines of Zouaves and
others, a band of eight rebel soldiers was
marched through the camp up to General
McDowell's tent. They were picket sta
toned near Fairfax Court House, which
! the rebels ia their haste, had forgotten to
call in.
Their uniform was rather Falstafian.
Their heads were covered with apologies for
caps and hats. Two wore dark brown
blouses, and the rest were dressed 10 iron,
gray sattinett, with green trimmings, and
belongs, believe, to an Alabama regiment.
| To-day had the pleasure of meeting
General Burnside, one of the most gentle
manly and efficient officers.
Having resigned the army several years
ago, he engaged in the manufacture of small
arms, which be had improved.
About six years ago the firm with which
he was connected failed.
An humble and Industrious man, he came
out to st. Paul, and passed short period
in the hope Of identifying himself with some
of our then projected railways Finding
insufficient encouragement, he became,
through the influence of Mcclellan, first
assistant treasurer, and the treasurer of the
Illinois Central railroad.
SAThe war breaks out, and these two friends
and noble men leave situations yielding them
an income of thousands of dollars to serve
their country. Their services have been
Observation-Disclosures ranking as Major
General of the United States army, and
Burnside as Brigadier in command of the
Rhode Island forces.
To-day we are at stand-still," prob.
ably awaiting more troops, to render sue
cess more sure, and save the shedding of
more blood.
ST. PAUL.