The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-01-24
A Defence Of Gen. sherman.

The sensational papers, like the Chicago
Tribune, have been abusing Gen. SHERMAN
without stint, ever since he issued his mild
proclamation to the inhabitants Of South
Carolina, when the truth is he has only had
force enough at his command to hold
his position. His true condition is set
forth in the following letter to the New
York Commercial Adyertiser:
PoRT ROYAL, s. O., Dec. 3l.-There is
nothing particularly new to communicate
since my last, hardly know what to write
about, unless it be to state that within a
few days past there has been an unusual
amount of reviews and inspections. Some
infer from this that there will soon be q
movement in some direction. II, as Is the
fact, Gen. Sherman has no more troops on
this and the adjoining islands than is me-
cessary to maintain the position, it would
hardly be imagined that an advance will be
made. All the force stationed here is work
ed to its utmost capacity, in completing the
immense tortifi !ations, erecting piers, build
ing government houses unlading ships and
laying out railroads. In regard to the lat
ter it is certain that the stakes have been
struck. ibis is a grand idea, and it will
cost the Government nothing but the iron to
construct them.
The full complement of guns will sotn be
mounted on the entertainments and then the
force that may be left here will be able to
hold this point against all aggression. Tybee
island is occupied by the Fremont regiment
and also one from Connecticut. Fort Pu.
laski has received an additional armament
of guns of longer reach than it had before.
Shells are thrown to within four hundred
yards of the Martello tower where our
troops are encamped, and yesterday one OF
the piekets was killed by shot. Entrench-
ments are in progress and some guns are
mounted commanding the fort, and it is exa
pected in short time that our artillerists
will present their compliments to Pulaski at
the rate of shot and shell every minute
| night and day until it surrenders.
10 hold our present position with the
force we have is all that should be expect
ed, and it is most certainly all that can be
done eHectually. The papers that buster
and rave about our nOn-advance, know
nothing about our position, or that of the
enemy. We trust that none of their gas
conade will have any effect upon the mill.
tary authorities. The New York Ilustrat.
ed Neaos talks about Sherman and his
command in most improper manner, and
it should be severely reprimapded. Itspeaks
of the soldiers as being employed in "dig-
ging DITCH" which work should be &C.
complished by the contrabands. Now, in
the first place, instead OF the mere digging
of N ditch" they have been employed in
the construction of one of the most immense
and important earthworks on the coast, and
in reference to the latter 1t may truthful
ly be said that there are not fifty negroes
on the island capable OF doing the work Il
they were all here, which is not by any
means the fact, and those who are here are
better employed on the beach and elsewhere
If General Sherman shall be able to hole
his present position on these islands, it is
much, nay more than I can expect, as the
troops of the Confederacy are concentrating
their forces on the main land, and we may
look for an attack any minute.
VANGUARD