The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-05-30
NEW SERIES-NO. 442

orders henceforward to arrest the first man
who insulted sentry. In few minutes
we had three in the guardhouse. Then
was seen the cowardly character of this
southern mob. These miserable objects
begged to be let off-promised never to do
SO again-said that it was not they, but
the next men. But we shall punish the
scoundrels. They will go to Fort jackson
to hard labor.
GENERAL BUTLER AT THE ST. CHARLES.
In the afternoon General Butler landed
and rode to the st. Charles with no escsrt.
The mob gathered, and he sent for a com.
pany of the Massachusetts Thirty first.
They had no guide, so volunteered. The
mob was very turbulent at first; but the
same anodyne which worked so we'll here
worked well there too. We arrested two
of them and the effect was magical.
In the evening the whole Wisconsin req
iment marched to the st. Charles and sur
rounded the house. The band took its
place upon the balcony and the whole eve
ming we regaled the good citizens with
Hail Columbia, Star SpaDgled Banner and
Yankee Doodle. One man was arrested.
There was no further disturbance.
THE FEELING IN THE CITY.
What cowardIy creature is mob !
Show them your teeth and they run with
their tails between their legs. There has
been here perfect reign of terror. A man
spoke to United States officer; be was cut
to pieces. We are daily receiving evidence
that we have friends. As men pass you,
instead of turning their heads they say,
ave are glad you have come." "You
have thousands of friends here" "Look out
for these fellows tonight" am satisfied
that there is no such thing as Independent
public opinion anywhere. Public opinion
is created by the few leaders-the strong.
The mass falls in. Let stranger come
and public opinion follows him. This is
the case now. We are the stranger. In a
month public opinion-the noisy opinion of
the street-will be on our side.
But as yet the city is sullen. The men
turn to look at US as at some strange mon
ster. The women mutter as they pass.
The shops are generally closed. The pro.
prietors refuse to open them, alleging, with
some justice, that they must sell for Con-
ferate money, which they don't want. The
provisions are scarce, as 10 besieged city,
and very dear--four $50 barrel. There
is said not to be provisions in the city for
over ten days. think we shall soon be
able to open communication with the North.
A full stomach is a great preserver of the
public peace.
l wish some far seeing merchant had sent
some half dozen ship loads of -four, beef and
pork here from the North. They would be
boon to this thriving community.
We are occupying the different railroads.
Orders are issued that provisions of all
sorts may be brought 10; no cotton and no
sugar. Indeed, this matter of provision is
of vital Importance. They were becoming
very scarce before our arrival-that has
added to the scarcity. But we expect that
within month our coming will make them
more abundant.
THE LATEST DEVELOPMENT. =
May ST. see that, writing two days
ago, gave this people one month to be-
come strongly Union. I believe l shall
have to reduce the time to two weeks. We
are getting on famously. They no longer
Insult US in the streets. They begin to en-.
ter into conversation with US; make ad.
vances of various kinds; they throng to
our reviews; the music of Cur Fourth Wis
consin band has great attractions for them.
In truth they are thoroughly French po.
tolation, shouting today for a republic, to-
morrow for an empire, and with their whole
souls for both.