The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-05-09

| - Gen. Halleck has signi6ed bis inten-
ton of inquiring out every case Of gallant.
~ on the field among the privates of the
army, and reporting the names to the Cow
errors Of the States to which the cases be-
long, for their action. This is very proper
thing in itself, and will have an excellent
effect.
The correspondent of the Philadelphia
Inquirer, (rep.) with the army before York.
town-and no paper employs more able
writers in this branch of journalism--writes
thus hopefully to the public, giving his own
conclusions, as be cannot furnish the facts
in his possession to enable the reader to
draw his own:
| 1t is a wise injunction that we should "pos-
| sess our souls in patience" The plans for the
reduction of Yorktown cannot be published at
present, but when the day of onset comes we
shall be astonished at the now unknown ele.
ments which shall enter into the contest.
There may be Malakoff s to storm, but when
the storming time comes there will be no
"nOrth side" upon which the rebels can re-
of Yorktown, if the rebels stay there they will
be hemmed in, surrounded and cut of. Two
hundred thousand of the best troops in the
world are marching upon them from several
| directions, and neither guns, nor gunpowder,
| nor "Jeff. Davis in command" can save them
from the final catastrophe.
Our gunboats on the Tennessee have
lately made successful trip up the river
as far as Huntsville, Alabama. They
passed over the Muscle Shoals above Flor.
ence, the water being so high as to enable
them to clear the bars without difficulty.
At Huntsville they captured the rebel gum
boat Alfred Robb, beautiful light draught,
fast sailing raft, mounting two guns. The
crew of the latter, previous to their surren.
der, threw overheard the armament OF the
vessel, consisting of one six and one twelve.
FOUNDER. A quantity of ammunition stores
were also taken, when our gunboats return
ed to Pittsbu:g. Mitchell, according 10
last advices, was at Iuka, between Deca~
tur and Corinth.
The Richmond Enquirer of April %,
contains the following account of the operas
tions before Yorktown:
| We have but scanty intelligence from the
| Peninsula, but sufficient to induce the belief
that no general action is imminent in that
quarter. We have from all accounts, an &C.
tive and wary foe to deal with on the PENN
| sula.
| 1t is reported that the enemy have cut
| canal between the waters of the York and
Warwick Rivers, which gives him a water
front across the whole stretch of country, and
must contribute very much to the strength OF
| his position.
We learn that on Saturday last sharp skir-
mishng continued during the entire day Oh
portion of our lines. During the night our
men lay on their arms, expecting to renew
the skrmishing and sharpshooting in the NOR
| ming.
By the break of day it was found that the
enemy had been at work all night and had
thrown up line of intrenchments and mount
ed guns within one thousand yards of our pO-
| sitiOn.
| Hopes had been INDUCED of some impor.
| tant action in Virginia, from the concentration
| of troops that had been going on for some
time past. The only rational purpose of the
combination OF the troops is to fight; but if
made for other purposes it is the old status quo
| after all.
Captain Charles Fl. Davis, q. S. N.
who has been assigned to the Mississippi
fotilla as an assistant to Commodore Foete,
was the fleet captain of the Dupont expedi-
ton, and second in command. BE is a
native of Massachusetts,, and entered the
navy 10 1923. In 1854 he was promoted
to the rank of Commander, and the present
war brought him to the highest rank of
Captain. According to the naval register
of 1860 he had seen eighteen years service
at sea, and fifteen years on land and was,
at that time, Q86O) superintendent of the
Nautical Almanac. Capt, Davis is man
of about the same age as flag officer Foote,
having entered the navy only one year later
than he.
As the advance OF General Mitchell's
division were approaching Fayetteville,
Tennessee, before occupying Huntsville, a
flag OF truce was sent forward with two
rebels who had been ordered cut OF the
lines. On arriving at Fayetteville the es-
cort was grossly insu!ted in the streets by a
mob of Southerners. General Mitchell
| was highly Indignant when be heard of the
outrage that has been committed upon his
flag of truce. He rode rapidly into the
town, and found a large number OF the cit
liens assembled in the public square, to
witness the entrance of our army:
People of Fayetteville" cried the Gen.
eral, in voice of thunder, "You are worse
than savages! Even they respect flag Of
truce. which you have not done. Yesterday
the soldiers whom l sent to your town upon
mission of courtesy and mercy, were shame
| fully nsulted in your streets. and it was you
who gave the insult. You are not worthy to
look in the faces Of honest men. Depart to
your houses every one of you, and remain
there until I give you permission to come
| FORTH"
At the conclusion OF this speech, the
skulkiDg towards scattered to their houses
like frightened rats to their holes.
The correspondent of the Philadelphia
Inquirer says New Workers are hugely
amused over the petitions the Syracuse PEG.