The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-12-13

OF 640,0O0 soldiers, the estimated
strength Of the army, according to Secre.
tary Oameron's report, Illinois furnishes
$4,000, Ohio 81 900, New York lOl 900,
Pennsylvania nearly $4,000, and Indiana
$1,000. There are over 10000 regulars.
The cavalry amounts to nearly 10000, and
Secretary Cameron recommends its grad
ual reduction. Secretary Cameron also
recommends the abrogation of all distinc.
lions between regulars and volunteers.
The Utica Observer announces the
death of Hon. Henry Wager, at bis resi-.
dence in Western, Oneida County, at an
early hour on Monday morning. He filled,
during his life, many prominent positions,
among Others that of member of the Leg
islature, ard President OF the State Agri-
cultural Society. He was an uncle of Maj.
Gen. Ii. w. Halleck, u S. A.
1t is stated from a perfectly authentic
source that bill has already been prepared
and will soon be introduced into the Legis-
lature of Kentucky, confscatipg the Slave
property of Kentucky rebels-and that it
viii undoubtedly become law. A similar
bill will be put upon its passage in the Leg.
slature of the new State of Virginia, west
Of the mountains, now in session.
Major Slemmer, of Fort Pickens fame,
is so dangerously i'll at Huntonsville, Vir-
ginia, that at last accounts bis life was des.
paired of.
The first official act of Hon. Samuel
Hooper, representative elect from the Fifth
Massachusetts district, was to appoint to
the United States Naval Academy, Chas.
Henry Davis, Jr., son of Commander
Charles II. Davis, who was second in com.
mand of our fleet at Port Royal.
The following is brief synopsis of a
military bill introduced into the Senate on
the 4th inst. by Senator Wilkinson of this
State:
Section one grants all rights and privileges
heretofore granted to officers, musicians and
privates OF the regular army TO volunteers of
the same, who are to form, and to be hereaf.
ter considered part of the regular army.
Section second provides that all volunteer
reg iments be considered as regiments of nan-
try and numbered in the same series as the
gular regiment OF infantry, and the Oldest
volunteer regiments to be numbered 20th and
the next Oldest 2lst and so on.
Sections third and fourth apply the same
principles to cavalry and artillery.
Section fifth provides that promotions here.
after be made as heretofore, except that no
regard be had to the fact that the vacancy to
be filled occurs in an old regular, or a new
volunteer regiment or that an officer promoted
belongs to an old or new regiment.
Section sixth provides that all commissions
issued by the Governors to volunteer officers
be considered the same as if issued by the
President and officers 10 take rank according
to date OF their commission.
Section seventh provides that the President
I'LL all vacancies hencetOrth OccaslOned in vol
| unteer regiments.
"A gentleman from Rolla, Mo-, states
that the order against fugitive slaves enters
ing camp is not observed there, the colored
contrabands being treated as strange white
persons are, neither allowed more liberty or
restricted to less. The blacks, dismissed
by HalIecks order, are just outside the
lines, and that is all. They could easily get
in again if pursued by rebel owners.
The Chicago Tribune publishes the fol
lowing incident of the war in Kentucky:
Scene-The headquarters of Gen. Paine at
Paducah. Enter elderly Kentuckian in quest
of his fugitive chattel.
Gen. Pane-Well. sir, are you and your
family loyal?
Kentuck-I have one son in the rebel army.
There are Two at home.
Gen. P.-Well, are you and your boys at
home aiding the Government
| Kentuck-No sir we remain strictly neu-
trail.
Gen. P.--Then you must excuse me if re-
main strictly neutral between you and your
Niger. | cannot allow you within my lines.
Exit Kentuck, in digust. deeming this a
Paine-ful application of strict neutrality.
"A young Clevelander named McKen-
ma, volunteer, was accidentally killed by
the discharge of the gun of a comrade at
Fayette court House, Virginia. few days
since.
A late number OF the Richmond Exs
amiler contains an elaborate article, insist
ing that the South must raise 100000 men
by CONSUMPTION, on the plan of European
States, if it would fight united North,
with fair prospects Of success. The article
points out the disadvantages of all volun.
teer and military systems, and emphatically
declares that the North is united more and
more thoroughly by every defeat and sac.
rifce.
The Missouri Democrat says that on
Wednesday last j. G. Buell., lawyer, and
Edward Murphy, surveyor of st. Francois
county, Missouri, had a rencountre in Far
mington, in which shots were exchanged
without injury, when MIR. Murphy drew a
bowie knife and stabbed Mr.. Buell., fatally,
it is supposed. The cause of the difficulty
was not stated. Both gentlemen are highly
respected.
The Montreal Advertiser says General
| Williams. the commander of the forces in