The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-03-21
FROM FORT CRAIG.

FROM FORT CRAIG.
Movements Of the Texans.
More Particulars OF the Battle
LOUISVILLE, March l2.-Gov. johnson,
Etheridge, and Maynard, left for Nashville
today. los IL. ..,-... ,..,.... S..
The Nashville Patriot says Parson
Brownlow is on bis way to Nashville, with
pass through the rebel lines from JEFF
Davis. Brownlow is reported ill with con.
sumption.
ST. LOUIS, March l2.-The following
General Order will be issued in the morn.
ing ~. .....l ........-
HEADQUARTERS OF THE DEPARTMENT.
OF THE MISSISSIPPI.
In compliance with the orders of the
President of the United States, the under.
signed assumes command of the Depart
ment of the Mississippi, which includes the
present Department OF Kansas and Mis-.
sour, and the Department of the Ohio, and
the country west of north and south line
drawn through Knoxville, Tennessee, and
east of the western boundaries of the
States of Missouri and Arkansas.
The Headquarters of the Department of
the Mississippi will remain till further Or
ders at ST. Louis. The commanding off,
GERS now in the Department of Missouri
will report at these Headquarters the
strength and position of their several cons
mands. ..i-. 4 t4.l-s -.t
(Signed) b. w. HALLECK.
Major General Commanding.
A special TO the Democrat, from RolIa,
18th, says Wild Billy Price, a desperate
chief of guerilla band OF rebels, has been
taken prisoner, and is now in custody at
Springfield.
Nothing further from Curtis command
yet. a-st-'.21 i-'.s...l- ss.2
ST. LOUIS, March IA special to
the Democrat from Cairo, 18th, says,
gentleman who left Memphis on Saturday,
and arrived here this morning, reports no
troops at Memphis, and many persons were
leaving the city. e ,af.n '.la e4f7 iess
Cotton, InOl6sses, sugar, and other articles
of merchandise were being shipped down
the river ''i' =. '...- is
The policy of burning the city is still
being discussed. Speeches were being made
every night. ~. 3- .f.-i-
Every means was being used to check
decentralization, and to excite war spirit.
Bragg had come up from Pensacola with
10000 men. These were sent to reinforce
New Madrid and Island No. 10.
Bragg and Beauregara are at jackson
Tennessee, constructing Notifications. All
the negroes in the country are called to
work on them.
Martial law was proclaimed in Memphis
last Monday, for the purpose of checking
characterization, and compelling citizens to
turn out and fight.
No defensive preparations are being made
at Randolph, nor between there and New
Orleans.
Fort Pillow is strong position, but less
formidable than Columbus The rebels
confess that the reduction of this place will
give Us all points in Mississippi. Their
gunboats are all at Island No. 10, and
carry riAed "a and 34.pounders. The feet
is under command of hollins. Passengers
from New Madrid report all quiet this
morning.
ST. LOUIS, March lathe Republican
has advices from Albuquerque, New Mex
leo, February 23d, which states that the
Texans have made various significant move
ments in the vicinity of Fort Craig.
On the 18th they advanced column of
infantry, 1000 strong, in line of battle in
front of the fort and alsO moved q column
of 800 cavalry to the west of the other de-
fences.
They advanced within mile and halt
of the works and halted with the secession
flag flying in the breeze and remained some
time and then commenced retrograde
movement.
During the time of the advance Colonel
Candy prudently concealed thegreater part
of his forces in the rear OF the fort. When
the enemy commenced retreating and the
infantry was scattered from the cayalrv.
Col. Candy ordered Maj. Duncan to charge
on the cavalry Of the enemy with squad.
ron of dragons and mounted men, which
they did in gallant style, the enemy retreat
ing before them until they arrived at deep
ravine. The Texan infantry in the mean
time advanced to the relief OF the cavalry.
and skirmish took place in the ravine.
Major Duncan late in the evening was
recalled, and the Texans continued to fall
back. 1t is reported that the Texans had
eight pieces of artillery placed ina battery,
masked in ravine but short distance
below where the skirmish took place.
On the 10Th and Goth the Texans crossed
to the east bank of the Rio Grande, in or
der, it is supposed, to take possession Of
the heights opposite Fort Craig. After
hard fight, McRaesD Union Battery was