The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-05-09
Strength Of Halleck's Army.
10000 EFFECTIVE MEN.
Reports From, Memphis and Below
THE SIEGE OF FORT PILLOW.

The steamer Estelle has just arrived from
Pittsburgh Landing, but brings no later
intelligence from General Ralleck's army.
She can6rms reports previously received of
a probable advance and battle very soon.
The rebel cavalry have appeared in con-
siderable force upon the river about twenty
miles below Savannah, near Clifton, and
one of our gunboats had been sent down the
river to watch their movements.
All boats leaving this point for above
have brass pieces on their bows and one on
each side, besides an armed guard upon the
hurricane deck, to repel any attempt of
guerilla's to fire into the boat.
The steamer a" B" arrived from Fort Pill
low at two o'clock this morning There
had been no material change in affairs at
the feet. There was some occasional firing
by the mortars, and some occasional replies
by the enemy's batteries. 1t is probable
that the intelligence of the fall of New
Orleans, which was last evening" sent by
steamer to Commodore Foote, may hasten
matters below and put period to the hith
erto cautious policy of the flag officer.
The A brought to Cairo six refugees
from Memphis, from which city they de.
parted one week ago yesterday. They had
secured, through the c0nnivance of a Union
merchant, their passports to Humboldt, but
instead of going in that direction they pro.
cured skff and crossed the Mississippi to
the Arkansas shore, about six miles below
Randolph, and taking to the swamp and
bottom lands, which are here OVERLOOKED for
an immense distance. They rowed back
six miles or more from the river, and after
severe trials and suffering reached Oseoa.
From here they rowed to the feet and res
ported to Commodore Foote. They say
majority of the people of Memphis are Tn.
ion, but are compelled to advocate secession
sentiments to preserve their property.
There are several secret Union societies,
who assist their members to emigrate, and
are pledged to aid in the re-estabIishment
of Union authority. Five men are known
to be on their way North by the same route
taken by these.
Generals Price and Van Dorm recently
passed through Memphis on their way to
Corinth, leaving about 5000 troops to over
awe the city and enforce the CONSUMPTION
act. jeff. Thompson is in Memphis and
has his quarters at the GayOuso House
There are five thousand bales of cotton, sew
en- thousand hogsheads of sugar and twenty
thousand barrels of molasses, now lying
upon the levee at Memphis, of which the
cotton will be burnt and the sugar and mo-
lasses rolled into the river, on the approach
of the federal forces. Citizens and newspa-
pers are opposed to burning the city, but
the soldiers and country people favor it.
The Memphis argus is considered the
exponent of the Union sentiment, and is not
allowed Geographic dispatches. The Safety
Committee talk of suppressing it.
The Legislature passed the militia law
without quorum.
The more violent of the rebels in the
country consider Memphis "Union hole"
and threaten to wipe it out.
On Wednesday succeeding the battle of
Pittsburgh, General Prentiss and twenty
three hundred and eighty-six Union pris-
oners passed through Memphis. The men
were in good spirits, and kindly treated by
the inhabitants, particularly the Irish and
German women. Citizens cOntented them.
selves with waving handkerchiefs and looks
ing the interest they dare not express.
Prentlss made Union speech to his men,
and the citizens cheered him. Provost
Marshal L. D. McKissock babe him remain
silent. Prentiss told him he had four to
one more friends in Memphis than he INC.
Kissock), and said to the citizens, Keep
quiet for a few weeks, and you will have an
opportunity to cheer the old flag to your
hearts content" Our soldiers sung the
Star Spangled Banner, Red, White and
Blue, Happy Land of Canaan, and Old
John Brown, as they we're starting on the
cars for Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where they
are at present confined. There were one
hundred. and fourteen Union officers among
the prisoners. Beauregard claims to have
taken three thousand prisoners.
The Memphis & Ohio, Memphis &
Charleston, and Mississippi & Tennessee
railroads are connected by union track to
give greater facility for moving rolling
stock and provisions in case of Federal at
tack. All old iron and brass was being
collected and forwarded below The citi.
zens think Fort Pillow will be taken by
the fOtilla, but the soldiers and newspapers
consider it impregnable.
Tie Confederate loss, all told, at Pitts
burg, was about 4,O0O-l, 900 wounded are
in Memphis. Government machinery, com.
missary and Quartermaster's stores are
removed.
II is thought that the fate of the Con.
federacy hangs upon the Corinth battle. If
beaten they have no measures left but the
organization of guerilla bands and preda.
tory warfare.
Four deserters from Fort Pillow arrived
at the fotilIa Sunday morning, and report
ed rs more in the swamps opposite. A
tug was sent for them. They say the Con.
federate army at the fort is greatly demor-
allied, whole companies refusing to do Or
binary military duty. Large numbers of
soldiers are in irons their term of enlist.
ment had expired, and their officers wished
to compel them to serve two years longer.
At the fort one man had been killed and
dozen wounded by the explosion of our
shells.
The river is rising rapidly--two inches
within the last ten hours. 1t seems now
impossible to avert the great calamity.
We have in the army of the Tennessee