The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-05-09
GEN. M,DOWELL,s ADVANCE
INTERESTING NEWS FROM THE ARMY
ON THE RAPPAHANNOCK.
Impudent Declaration OF the City Coun'
Gil of fredericksburg.
FREDERICKSBURG, April %.

FREDERICKSBURG, April %.
Better order never existed in any army
than has prevailed among the troops occu.
plying Falmouth. The stringent order di.
recting all plunderers and marauders to be
shot, if detected in the act, efectually pre-
vented any destruction of property what
ever during our advance upon Fredericks.
burg, and since the occupation of our pres.
ent quarters but single depreciation has
been committed, which was itself imme-
diately atoned for and the perpetrators
punished. Capt. Gibbons of the Fourth
Artillery, and recently appointed Brigadier
General, was made Provost Marshal, of the
brigade when our forces occupied Fal.
mouth, and has preserved such admirable
order that the most vic lent secessionists
freely admit that they have suffered far less
inconvenience than when the rebels had
possession here. Any soldier found enter.
ing house, save in the execution of an Or
der, or with permit from headquarters, is
severely punished, and none are permitted
to leave their camp unless upon duty. A
few DAYS since General Mcdowell found
small portion of fence destroyed: 10 the
vicinity of camp, and, although it was
not positively known that our own troops
had used the rails, the men were ordered
into the woods, where they cut and split
rails, and rebuilt the fence, leaving it in
much better condition than it had apparent
ly ever been before.
The sanitary condition of the troops is
unexampled. After the exhausting march
of thirty miles in less than twenty four
hours, during the hottest day of the season,
and for the most part in the face of the
enemy, less than seventy five were reported
on the sick list, including the wounded.
Notwithstanding pitiless storm of wind
and rain, which beat down necessarily for
twelve hours after the occupation of our
present position, few of the men are suffer-
ing, even from colds, and the regiments turn
out on parade in finer order and appear
ance than when comfortably ensconced in
their winter quarters.
The wounded are progressing admirably,
and promise to resume their duties soon.
Brigade Surgeon Paunch, by his tact and
foresight, has secured the friendship of eve
~ resident in Falmouth, and is daily offered
the use of most commodious and beautifully
situated residences for hospitals. The sick
and wounded have all been removed from
the church, where they were first placed, to
several fine houses in the village, and are
provided with ice, lemons gathered fresh
from the trees, and innumerable other little
luxuries, which 60 so far toward alternating
the suffering of hospital experience.
The dead have all been inferred in the
old revolutionary burying ground-a spot
where their relatives may we'll leave them
to rest.
The cavalry regiments have we'll nigh
supplied their loss of horses with those found
throughout the country without owners,
and are again in readiness for another dash
upon the rebels. A wrong impression pre-
walls throughout the country relative to the
organization of the Harris cavalry regi-
ments. There are two regiments in the
service-the Ira Harris and the Harris
Light Cavalry--tbe latter being connected
with General Kings division, and whose
brilliant conduct has won such a reputation
for the Ira Harris Cavalry, serving at
distant post.
General King has established his head
quarters at the house of Mr.. Phillips, in the
immediate vicinity of the headquarters of
General Mcdowell, who occupies the resi-
dence of Mr.. Lacy, Aid to General Smith,
OF the rebel army.
The totilla succeeded in clearing the
Rappahannock of Instructions, and reached
Fredericksburg on Saturday.
Work has commenced on the Aqua
Greek and Fredericksburg Railroad, which
will soon be in running order. The rail-
road bridge over the Rappahannock will, of
course, be Immediately rebuilt. Gen. Nc
Dowell is interchangeable in pushing forward
the erection of bridges and establishment of
supply depots, devoting much of his time
required for rest to the personal supervis,
ion OF the work, and often passing the en-
tire day with but a single meal.
Mr. Paine, Civil and Topographical En-
glneer, attached to Gen. McDowel's staff,
is busiy engaged in preparing a map for
the use CT the General, giving the locality of
every crosS-road and stream, together with
an outline OF the face of the country. Much
valuable information relative to the course
and condition of the roads south of us has
been obt2ined from contrabands and resi-.
dents Of Frederick burg.
An immense amount of -four remains in
Fredericksburg, and over a thousand bush.
els OF corn ere now at the mills, being
ground for the use of tie troops.
The cotton factory in Falmouth contin-
ues to run as usual, and small store SUP.
plies the soldiers with a ready meaps OF dis.
posing OF their money, fabulous prices being
asked fer the most triRing articles.
fhe committee appointed by the city
counsel OF Fredericksburg, waited upon
General Augur last Saturday afternoon and
presented him with document, of which
the following is copy:
At meeting of the Mayor and com.
mon council of the city of Fredericksburg,
held this, 18th day OF April, 1862, in order
to confer as to what action is proper to be
taken by them in the present position Of the
place. it was unanimously ordered
That a committee, consisting of the
Mayor, and Messrs VIM. A. Settle, J. Cor
don w allace, Thomas B. Barton, VIM F.
Broaddus, and John S. Marye, Jr., be ap-