The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-12-06
OUR NEWS SUMMARY.

-Thanksgivipg-Day was observed in
Ene style by the Massachusetts troops in
General Stones command at Poolesville.
The New York Times says:
The ball in the evening was a decided sue
cess. Besides the guests above specified there
were Gen. German, Col. Tompkins, several
half-and. half seceshers from Poolesville, any
quantity of pretty girls and "buttoned boys"
| innumerable. Gen. German was particularly
lively, and did l not know him to be a good
family man of several years standing, ! should
imagine his counting days were yet to come.
The family of the late Senator Doug
las, in Washington, have removed to the
former residence OF the Senator, neat
white cottage, on the hillside short dis
lance from Minnesota Row. This house
was presented by Mr.. Douglas, shortly after
bis marriage, to be father-in-law, J. Mad
ison Cults.
"A private letter received in New York,
from an officer of a blockading vessel of
| Ocracoke Inlet states that the sinking of
three schooners, laden with stone, in the
Inlet, on the 14th ult., has positively bar
red that entrance to Pamiico Sound against
the passage of all vessels Privateersmen
ere therefore blocked out from another of
their lurking places. The writer says that
twenty or thirty rebel schooners are known
to be cruising about in Pamlico Sound and
other waters connecting with it.
The reconnaissance made on last week
Wednesday, in the direction of Vienna,
resulted disastrously to our troops. The
squadron found themselves surrounded by a
vastly superior force Of rebel cavalry and
infantry, who opened desperate fire on
our troops, before which their unframed
horses gave way, compelling their hasty
retreat. Twenty eight Of the men were
missing on their return to camp.
"A letter has been received in Boston,
from George Il. Ohi!ds, a member of the
Massachusetts Fifth regiment, who was
captured at the battle of Bull Run, which
states that he was confined in the parish
prison at New Orleans, with five hundred
other prisoners of war, and that they were
we'll treated, cheerful, and comparatively
happy. Their journey from Richmond oc'
cupied eight days, and though they were
objects of much interest to the people along
the route, they were not treated to any IN.
kind or insulting remarks. The letter was
kindly forwarded by Gen. Palfry, Provost
Marshal OF New Orleans, to whose care any
letters for the prisoners should be sent.
"A Mazat'an correspondent of the San
Francisco Bulletin says
Gen. Shields will not accept the position
rendered him. His reasons are distrust in his
physical pOwer-having, it is said, suffered Of
| late from bodily ailments, and a wife. If the
Administration had offered him his former
rank-that which he held in the war with Mex
! icO-nO consideration of family or friends
! would have Outweighed his sense CT duty to
his country. In the war with Mexico he was
General of Division. Why, then, insult him
| with the tender of subordinate position
! twelve years afterwards?
The London Times attributes the in
activity in the demand for cotton in India
to lingering hesitation as to the American
supply, but says that other circumstances
have also operated forcibly to such result.
The real cause of the present stagnatiom is
not scarcity Of cotton, but the absence Of q
demand for calico, the markets of the soorld
being glutted acith Lancashirer goods. Man
uiacturers in curtailng operations are dos
ing what they mus, have done sooner Or
later, irrespective of the stoppage of the
American supply.
George Havemeyer, son of Ex- Mayor
Havemyer, of New York, was chrushed to
death, last week Wednesday, in the sugar
refinery OF Messrs. Havemeyer, Townsend
& Co., in First street, Williamsburg. He
was twenty-five years OF age, and resided
with his father in Fourteenth street, New
York. MIR. Havemyer entered the refinery
by the basement entrance, and while look
ing at the machinery was caught in a cog
| WHICH, ny VIC CIuOW vi htc CO0ts ouO Will
fearful rapidity was drawn into the ma
chinery. Before the engine could be stop
ped, MIR. Havemeyers neck was broken, and
the side OF his head crushed in such q
fearful manner that he died Immediately.
The steamer Atlantic, just sailed for
Port Royal, carried out among other things
a printing press, cases, type, &c. with O
view OF starting a newspaper at Port Toy
al, to be conducted under the supervision
of General Sherman. A proper person
will be Sc ected as editor, and it is contem'
plated to issue weekly sheet, which shall
express the sentiments of the Government
and at the same time aid in suppressing re-
beIlion on the soil of the Palmetto State.
A PETITION is being circulated in Still
water, the object of which is to call the at
tention of his Excellency, Governor Ram
sey to suspicious looking Frigate now
| .:l;,r~ ~ ocohor M, tho w iocOposn dido n