The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-04-18

been one Of the grandest balloon reconnois
eances ever made. The first ascension
made was at five o'clock in the morning,
and then and there the position and ndstrength
cf the enemy were ascertained for the first
time. Subsequently reconnoissanccs of
from one to two hours were made and i'm,
portaut information gained.
The Notifications of the rebels are of the
strongest possible character, and sweep an
extent of country of seven miles, extending
across the peninsula from the York to the
James rivers. Behind these Notifications
they have large reserve force, so that the
entire strength of the rebels at this point is
rated at from twenty-five to thirty thousand
men. Their forts are mounted by guns of
the heaviest calibre, and some of them are
OF q continuous character for miles, being
connected by earthworks. The heaviest
chain of forts is on the west, although those
on the uorth-the point from which the fir
ing was first commenced on Saturday-are
sufficiently formidable to resist powerful
attack. There are other minutia of these
forts in possession OF our officers, which it
is not proper to make known at present.
Suffice it to say, that through the means Of
the balloon ascensions, made yesterday, eve
ry information is in our possession of the
design and intention of the rebels.
General Magruder issued proclamation
to the soldiers of the rebel army on the 20th
ult. he states that the enemy is upon
them, and that his number is far superior to
theirs. He advises them to fortify them.
selves in every possible place, and to contest
every inch OF ground. Three days rations
are 10 be cooked, and baked buisouit are to
be carried instead of -four. The fight, he
anticipates, will take place on Warwick
river. In conclusion he advises them to
fire low.
Heavy firing, probably proceeding from
our gunbOats, has leen heard on the river
all day.
John T. Quigg, correspondent of the
New York World, captured rebel, sup
posing him to be the one who shot the
Lieutenant from Maine. He was taken to
headquarters.
General Hamilton had his horse knocked
from under him on Saturday. The horse
Was killed and the General escaped injury.
A circular, issued by the rebels, was
found by one of General Hamilton's aids.
The purport of it was full description of
the present onward movement, with all the
details; also, Gen. Magruder's plan of de-
feating the Union programme. The enemy
must have received this information from
high source, several weeks ago, or they
could not have got the circular out so soon.
A division took the Newport News
road, along the James river, and when six.
teen miles beyond their camp, came to
Young's Mills, at Deep Creek. Some rebel
cavalry and infantry were here encamped,
who dispersed upon the arrival Of the Un>
ion forces. They fired volley before leav-
ing, shooting one of the Union soldiers in
the shoulder. They left a camp in perfect
order-fres burning and rations being
cooked.
The division rested here on Friday night
and then advanced, intending to form
junction with the other portion of the army
before Yorktown.
AT half past four o'clock on Sunday af-
ternoon no shots had been fired for near an
hour. Previous to three o'clock the enemy
attempted to strengthen their works. but
the Union batteries soon stopped them with
few she'll.
During Sunday the sharp shooters were
withdrawn, with the exception cf few as
pickets. During the afternoon one gun
was depressed by the rebels, and about dark
Ole shot was fred at squad of men who
were viewing tie enemy with glass. 1t
was splendid line shot but did no damage.
The enemy seem to have the range of the
whole field of battle.
1t wus reported at dark on Sunday
that another Of the sharp shooters had been
killed.
The sharp shooters have covered them.
selves with glory; so have the artillerists.
Up to Sunday evening the infantry regi-
ments have been in the back ground-the
artilIerists and sharp shooters doing nearly
all the work.
The troops generally seem anxious for
an attack, and speak OF it with great enthu
siasm.
About dark the enemy appeared on their
earthworks, as if desiring an attack. A
shot from the pickets sent them heller
skelter to their covers.
Previous to the going down of the sun,
Prof. Lowe made an ascension in his bal
loon. The eBemy's works are very exten-
sive, the centre forming a curve, or horse
shoe shape.