The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-12-05
An Absurd Camp Rumor.
4 Brilliant Reconnaissance.
FORCE OF THE REBELS.
They are Puzzled as we'll as
Ourselves.
AN OFFICER ARRESTED FOB DELAYING
PONTOON TRAIN.

AN OFFICER ARRESTED FOR DELAYING
PONTOON TRAIN.
NEW YORK, Nov. 30.-A dispatch from
Bayards cavalry reports no rebels this side
of the Rappahannock. Their picket lines
are on the other side of the river.
A Washington dispatch says that Burn
side had long consultation with the Pres
ident, General Halleck and the heads of
the War and Navy Departments. A Cab
met meeting was afterwards held.
A Harper's Ferry dispatch states that
Jackson moved towards Thoroughfare Gap
on Thursday.
A special dispatch to the Herald from
headquarters states that it was rumored
that Jackson was advancing on our flank
from Warrenton. A proper disposition of
our troops was consequently made.
Lees headquarters are visible two miles
back of Fredericksburg.
The rebels are still erecting earthworks,
and have rifled cannon commanding all the
forts and bridges.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE PoroMAC,l
November 80.
[Herald's special. considerable ex-
element was occasioned by the circulation
of report here that proposition had
been made by the rebels for an armistice
of 80 days, and that Lee was already in
Washington arranging terms of agreement.
No credence is put in this rumor, however.
The rebels are working with redoubled
vigor on their Notifications, and their cav
airy of late have been very active and have
captured number of our pickets along
Ford river, besides the two companies of
the Sd Pennsylvania cavalry at Harwood
Church.
Loegstreet commands the right, and Hill
the left of the rebet forces confronting US.
Deserters coming within our lines report
that large body of Their forces had been
detached and sent off, either to Richmond
or to reinforce Stonewall Jackson. These
reports must be received with great eau.
ton, however.
Our cavalry have captured number of
rebels along the river below this place.
The Herald's special dated Fairfax LIST,
says the expedition under Stahl was un-
doubtedly one of the most brilliant and
successful affairs of the war, both in con-
ception and execution. Its principal OBJ
ject was to ascertain the whereabouts of
Stonewall Jackson and what forces were
on the right. This and more was accom-
plished. jackson with both the Hills
passed through Newmarket, east, Wednes-
day, on his way south. 1t is presumed he
has gone to intercept Gen. Cox's advance
Prisoners captured by Stahl report that
White, leader Of Whites cavalry, was
twice wounded in the skirmish at Berry
vile.
New YORK, Dec. 1.-The Times Fal-
mouth special states that two deserters
from the rebels report their force at 1907
900 to 16O, OOO-certainly not exceeding
the latter. Although suffering from want
of clothing and many kinds of supplies,
they are still apparently hopeful of final
success.
Lee and associates are puzzled at our
army movements, which they do not seem
fully to comprehend, and have concluded
that our advance upon Fredericksburg is
feint designed to amuse them, while the
main attack upon Richmond is to come
from another quarter. Upon this theory
they now believe our force in front of FIRE.
dericksburg in reality to be small, and that
immense hosts are being embarked at Bell
Plain and conveyed in transports up James
River. Acting upon this idea, they have
commenced erecting earthworks for pro-
lection of a garrison force, while the main
body of their army commenced moving
towards Richmond.
New YORK, Dec. "A special dispatch,
dated Opposite Fredericksburg, Novem-
Der 3d." says: "The rebels still continue
to fortify vigorously on their second line of
defence. 1t is now believed that they
have drawn their infantry force further to
their rear, where their camp-fires are not
so visible. Instead of evacuating the po-
sition, as spoken of in yesterdays dispatch,
it is believed, in official quarters, that the
rebel force about Fredericksburg and
within call is from 100000 to 125, OOO
No supplies of vegetables have yet been
distributed to the troops, although they
were promised several days ago. Bilious
diseases and symptoms of scurvy grow
worse"
| WASHINGTON, Dec. 1.-The Star has the
following: "The War Department has
arrested Major Spaulding, of the 55th New
York Engineers (volunteers), and three
other officers who were with him in the
transportation of the pontoon bridge from
this point to Falmouth, Va. 1t is alleged
that Major Spaulding started with the
train two days and half later than he
should have done, and that he was five
days on the road-longer than was ne
cessary." -sg
Nvw Ycury Ncx, on &c., , en-,