The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-11-28

WIN us In our deprlvatonS, tor they too
complain even louder than the soldiers of
their scanty board. Provisions of all kinds
are scarce, and necessarily very high prices
are asked for them. Many of the common
articles of daily consumption are not to be
had at any price. A short price list of the
most common articles may be of interest
Apples, per bushel. ............S So 90
Butter, per pound. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. 100
Corn meal, per bushcl ... $50
Coffee per pound. Observation-Disclosures. LOO
Tea, per pound, NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. 800
Sugar, per pound Observation-Disclosures. 80
Potatoes, per peck Observation-Disclosures. IS
Cabbages, per head .........25 @4O
Vegetables not mentioned above are not
to be had. Board of the most inferior
kind, 90 per day.
THE DEFENCES OF THE CITY
Are built on a magnificent scale, and if
the forts around the city were built before
this war, they would be pronounced i'm
pregnable; but since the fall of Sumter and
Pulaski, the destruction of the ram Ar
kansas, / am rather delicate about pro-
nouncing a fertilization impregnable
''FOrt Negley" is so situated as to COM
country. The command consists of two
62-pounders, and four 32-pounders, be-
sides number of small brass pieces. This
fort is far from being completed There
has been on an average, from 100 to $50
men, working upon it for the last two
months, about three-fourths of which are
negroes. Fort Andrew Johnson is built
around the State House, which is itself
upon the top ola high hill, very nearly in
the centre Of the city. Besides several
other forts of large size. the city is sur
rounded by Entertainments and rife pits.
Taking all things into consideration,
think ii would be q very hard matter to
take the city. Some four weeks ago, Gen.
Negley had reason to believe, that in the
event that the city would be attacked, the
citizens would arm themselves and assist
in the attack. An order was issued i'm
mediatelv, and
DIsARNING THE CITIZENS
Commenced at once. All were ordered
to bring their fire arms to headquarters, and
4 reward was offered to any one who
would give such information as would lead
TO the discovery of secreted arms. The
result was that in few days the ordnance
officer had 9 very fine collection of fire
arms, q collection that Falstaff would have
reioiced in, 50 well adapted were they to
the different tastes of his soldiers. There
were long and short guns, large and small,
single barrels and double barrels, guns
that loaded at the breech and those that
did not, some had barrels while others
had none, lockless guns, and stockless
guns. Such was the variety that the citi
zens brought in; those they did not bring
were probably in better order
sKIRMIsHEs AND PITCHED BATTLES
Have been of frequent occurrence dur
ING the past few weeks Rebel bands of
guerllas have been prowling around the
city for long time, and frequently attack
ing our tOraging trains when they were
not well guarded. 1t became necessary
from time to time to go out and punish
them-one instance which deserves atten-.
ton. A force of rebels under Gen. An
derson had collected at small town, and
were boastingly threatening Nashville with
their few men, $1,000 or more.) Colonel
Miller went out there one morning and
attacked them-killing few, taking 200
prisoners, a large amount of provisions,
and completely routing the rest of them.
A small band of guerillas actually sent
in a flag of truce demanding the surrender
of the city, and appointing an hour to come
and take it,
A few days before the arrival of the ar
my, many believed we were to be attack
ed, and had very good reasons for SO think
ing. The ladies even going so far as to
prepare bandages for the wounded, and
cooking delicacies for their long absent
husbands, sons, and brothers. The fatted
calf was killed, but unfortunately the pro-
digals " failed to make the connections.
The disappointment was great, and the
bitter curses loud and deep-equalled only
by the rejoicing and shouts ofjoy that were
felt and uttered by our little army upon
the arrival of Rosecrans' advance.
E. B. n.