davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-01-10
Army Savings...Nevv Order.

1t will be remembered that at the late ex.
ira session of Congress, Senator Baker, of
Oregon, procured the passage of law in
creasing the army rations for troops. This
was not go much because the old allowance
was too small, when used with economy, as
because our troops had not yet learned the
art of cooking and saving. 1t was one of
the evils incident to raising an immense ar
my like ours out of the raw material of the
people. The troops have now begun to get
accustomed to camp economy, and they find
themselves overwhelmed with supplies
Secretary Cameron has, therefore, issued an
order agreeing to allow to regiments, at
cost prices, for all articles saved in good
condition, and the regiments are many of
them making handsome fund out of it.
One which we have in mind-Col. Gordon's
Massachusetts, 2d-settled up last month
with balance of 5000 in its favor. Some.
body has reduced this to an arithmetical
calculation for the whole army, and finds
that similar saving by all the regiments
would give half million dollars a month,
or Six millions year.
The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-01-10
Rifles for Berdan's SharpshOoters.

The Secretary of War has ordered for
Colonel Berdan's Brigade the "Spence's
Magazine Rifle" This gun fires eight
times without charging, and can be rechar-
ged and ready for eight additional rounds
in almost the same time that the ordinary
musket can be loaded once. In appearance
it is not unlike the "Sharpe Rifle" There
is not the least leakage of gas, and all the
parts work freely. Neither caps nor pri.
mers are required, the decorating powder
being in medal cartridge with the powder
and ball. This rifle has been tested by
Colonel Berdan and the Ordnance Board.
These expensive weapons will not be given
to any other corps. 1t is understood that
the order was made at General McClel-
lan's personal request.
Captain Grover, of the Tenth Infantry
United States Army, some time ago ap.
pointed by Colonel Berdan Colonel of his
First Regiment of Sharpshooters, has just
arrived from New Mexico, and will report
at once for duty.
The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-01-10
The Release Of Congressman Ely.

Mr.. Ely has not published detailed
statement of his adventures in Richmond,
and his verbal narrative adds but little to
our general knowledge.
Drenched at Manassas, packed in the cars
to Richmond, stealthily landed there for fear
of the populace, he was stiAed into a tobac~
co prison infested with rats and lice. The
sentinels shot seven prisoners who put their
heads out of the window; but all made
merry over their miseries, and sung the
prisoners song daily, which all Richmond
sometimes comes to hear.
Ely was favorite and received presents
of dinners, boots, boqucts, and writing
desk from young lady. Breckenridge,
Humphrey Marshall, and Preston, of Ken
lucky, visited him in prison with jokes. Ely
says all Richmond is given up to the war
Wounded soldiers are in every house.
Fault had grand reception, with flags,
music and speeches. Gov. Letcher told him
that he was worth a thousand Elys.
On release the day after Faulkner's arri-
val, Ely dined with him, and received sew
eral other invitations escorted by rebel
officer, who went by way of Petersburg to
Norfolk, treated courteously everywhere,
and protected from impertinent curiosity.
The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-01-10
Prize Fight Near. Chicago,

The Chicago Tribune of Tuesday cons
tains long account of disgusting prize
fight between two "roughs" of that city,
named John McGlade and Bendigo alias
Daniel Smith. The battle was fought at
Wright station, on the Fort Wayne railroad,
just over the Indiana line.
1t is not our purpose to spoil our read.
er's digestion and breakfast at the same
time, by following the fight round by round,
nor to intimately detail the exact manner in
which McGlade's eye was BACKED and
closed, and Bendigo's ribs pounded. 1t will
no doubt fully come up with our readers
tastes to know that forty-seven rounds were
fought, lasting one hour and twenty min>
utes.
At the fortyssecond round McGlade saw
the impracticabllity of longer coping with
his adversary, but induced by his seconds,
fought four more rounds with no hopes of
success. On the forty-seventh round his
seconds declining to throw up the sponge
McGlade declared his inability to longer,
contend, and Bendigo was pronounced the
victor after struggle of an hour and
twenty minutes.
The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-01-10
suspension OF Specie Payments.

The banks of New York city suspended
specie payments on Monday, and their &C.
ton will undoubtedly be followed at once
by all the banking institutions of the coun.
try. At the commencement of active mea-
sures to suppress the rebellion, it was hard
ly expected the banks would be able to
sustain specie payments, but gold flowed
into their vaults until they had on hand, at
one time, nearly fifty millions, and the idea
of suspension was scoffed at. The work of
depletion, however, commenced immediate.
ly on the capture of MASON and SL1DELL,
and was accelerated immensely on learning
how the affair was viewed in England, until
loss of about twenty millions was expert
rienced, of which only five millions was sent
abroad. The balance was drawn out to be
boarded, and will not see daylight again un.
til peaceful relations with England are re-
stored, and perhaps not until our own do
nestle troubles are in fair way of settle
ment.
The effect of the suspension at the East
will be to give relief to the business com.
munity, as there cannot be much deprecia-
tiOn in the issues of sound banks, even with
a considerable expansion of circulation.
The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-01-10
THE WEEKLY PIONEER AND DEMOCRAT
Tho Telegraphic News.

MASON and SLIDELL left Providence
Thursday afternoon, on the British gunboat
Rinaldo.
The Spanish squadron took possession
of the Castle of San Juan D'Ulloa, at We
ra Cruz, on the 10th ult., and Vera Cruz
was evacuated by the Mexican troops,
without firing gun.
A portion of the 284 prisoners to be re-
leased by the rebels in exchange for the
like number of those taken at Hatteras and
sent home by our Government, has arrived
at Fortress Monroe. There has been a
great improvement in the treatment of the
prisoners at Richmond within a few weeks,
probably owing to the favorable reports of
Mr.. Faulkner and others of their treatment
while at Fort Warren.
The New Hampshire Republican State
Convention, held on the LIST instant, nomi-
mated Governor Barry for reelection, and
DIR. Crosby, of Hanover, democrat, was
nominated for railroad commissioner.
The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-01-10
The Emancipation QuestiOn..Whcrs
the COntrabands can be Sent.

Prominent members of Congress are con-
sidering new proposition for the solution
of the" contraband" question, in order to
avoid the expense of supporting crowds Of
slaves in idleness, and to furnish the Ameri-
can mills with cotton. They take the
ground that the Indian territory. west of
Louisiana and Arkansas, was coded to the
United States by treaty, and on certain
conditions. Without provocation they have
violated the treaties, and levied war on the
United States, thus rendering the treaties
null and void. The country thus reverting
to the government embraces the valleys of
the Red, Arkansas and other rivers, and
contains about 100000 acres of cotton
land, of unsurpassed fertility, capable of
producing about 100000 bales of cotton
per annum. 1t is proposed to apply the
principle of Benton's Florida armed occu-
patton act, and send all contrabands to this
Territory, and apprentice them to the SET
tiers upon these cotton lands, leaving the
question of their final disposition to be set
tied by Congress at the close of the war; all
contrabands, as fast as they come into
camp, to be promptly forwarded thither.
The country is approached from St: Louis,
through Springfield, distance of three
hundred miles. The remainder of the rail-
road from Rolla through Springfield to Fort
Smith, can be completed in twelve months.
1t is said that the plantations of the Choc-
laws and Chicasaws alone could fully sup
ply the American mills even the first year
of the experiment.
The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-01-10
Examination OF Cavalry Ohicers.

The Military Board for the examination
of cavalry officers is still at work. Nothing
is positively known of its proceedings.
There is reason to believe that the axe is
kept rapidly in motion, and that officers Of
all grades, from colonies down, are its vic.
Tins. Colonel Van Allen, the President of
the Board, has recommended to general Nc
Clellan the indiscriminate removal of all
colonies of volunteer cavalry who have not
had military experience, and the appoint
ment in their stead of officers of the regular
army. This recommendation is supported
by facts deduced from experience. 1t is
apparent to the committee that good COLI
onel makes invariably good company off.
GERS, and ultimately good regiment. The
volunteer cavalry regiments that have been
placed under command of colonies selected
from the regular army, however disorgan-
lied and undisciplined at first, are now
among the most efficient in the service.
This arm of the service, above all others,
needs particular attention.
The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-01-10
General ScOtt's Errand.

A hint as to the errand which brings
General SCoTT home SO suddenly may per.
haps be drawn from the following para
graph, which we find in a letter from the
Paris correspondent of the New York
Times dated December 3:
Up to the present moment we have not
been able to obtain any indication of the dis.
position or the Emperor in the present ques-
ton, and nothing further OF that of the Cabi-
net than is fOreshadowed in such of the French
papers as are supposed to represent the views
of individual members of the Cabinet. A con.
sultation took place yesterday between Mr..
Dayton, General Scott, Mr.. J ohm Bigelow, Mr..
Thurlow Weed and Archbishop Hughes, to ar
range for an interview with the Emperor.
This interview will undoubtedly take place,
and will be attended with important results.
The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-01-10
The English News.

The tone of the English press continues
to be extremely sulphurous, and the warlike
preparations of the government are unaba>
ted. The Presidents Message and the Re-
port of the Secretary of the Navy are criti-
cised severely. They are indignant that
Mr.. LINCOLN did not see fit to make a
grateful acknowledgment of their neutrality
between the United States and the rebels,
and they deem the act of efectually block.
aiding our own ports with sunken vessels as
barbarous. Troops are being shipped to
Canada in large numbers, and everything
goes to show that John Bull is expecting
that his demand for the release of MASON
and SL1DELL would be refused.
The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-01-10
General Fremont Again.

We have not deemed it necessary to ac-
cumulate evidence of FREMoNT's msman-
agement of the Western Department, in
answer to his continued defence by the st.
Paul Press, or to publish the cards of i'm.
plicated officers and contractors, printed in
the St. [ outs Democrat, or the friendly let,
ter of SCHUYLER CoLFAx, which proves only
one fact, that there are members OF Con-
gress who still sustain FREMONT. All this
is fully answered by the summing up of the
Investigating Committee, a majority OF
which were, and still are, for all that we
know to the contrary, the political friends
of FREMONT. The Committee say:
In the whole range of their investiga.
lions your committee have found nothing SO
alarming as the defiance of law and the dis.
regard of superior authority, as manifested
by the Commanding y eneral of the West
ern Department, not only in this connection
but in connection with the arbitrary and
illegal diversion of funds from the Paymas-
ter's Department and the Sub-Treasury at
st. Louis, which is hereafter referred to.
Whenever the action of General in the
field, disregardipg alike law, army regula-
tions and the authority of his government,
shall be permitted to pass without challenge
and without rebuke, then indeed may it
be we'll considered that constitutional liber-
ty is at an end, and the will of military
commander is substituted for law"
The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-01-10

The telegraph has already informed us
that the Earl of Shaftesbury, the great
patron of English aboliticnism, declined to
attend meeting at Exeter Ball to pray for
continuance of peace with this country,
on the plea that it would be interpreted by
Americans as cloaked rebuke of the Eng>
lish Government. Possibly another cause
influenced the declination of the noble Earl:
the apprehension that in praying for peace
with the Lincoln Government" he might
wound the virtuous sensibilities of his new
friends of the Slaveholding South. The
Albany Journal, upon information doubtless
received from Mr.. Weed, says:
The Earl of Salisbury recently remark
ed to gentleman who had d conversation
with him on American atiairs al, in
common with almost every i zlish states
man, sincerely desire the rupture of the
American Union. 1t has been the policy
of England to brook no rivalry, especially
in the direction of her own greatness. We
justly fear the commercial and political ri.
valry of the United States. With a pop
ulation of thirty millions now, they will
soon, if rot checked, overshadow Great
Britain. We cannot look upon such a
monstrous growth without apprehension.
That the Earl of Shaftesbury speaks of
powerful class, there is too much reason
to fear. The influence of our Democratic
institutions upon the English masses, has
been a source of just dread to the aristoc-
racy. They have seen in that influence an
agent that was slowly but surely undermin,
ing their own power. They know that if it
is not counteracted, their supremacy over
the destinies of the country will, if not
cverthrown, be greatly impaired.
The fact cannot be disguised that the Britt
ish arlstocracy not only fear, but hate us
That they will do all in their power to
compress or overthrow; that they will
gladly strike hands with Southern rebels,
in the hope of breaking our power as ma
ton; that they will leave 70 stone unturn~
ed to bring our Government to an end
there can be no shadow of doubt. How
far they will be able to accomplish their
amiable designs-how far they will deem it
sale to drive twenty millions of free people
into war of self-protection-remains to be
seen.
The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-01-10
A New Confederate Emfssary.

Thurlow Weed says that several seces>
sionists were passengers with him to Havre,
on board the steamer Arago, among whom,
and most prominent, was his personal &C.
qauintance and once friend. Col. Winthrop,
of New Orleans, whose Massachusetts orr.
gin and Wing ancestry, gives effect to bis
plausible but vindictive hostility. He says
have been pleasant, should not feel at liberty
to speak, if his course here was not one of
avowed enmity to our Government, and if
were not satisfied that he first visited Canada,
and is now in Europe, as an ayOwed emissary
of the Confederate States.
The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-01-10

COLONEL WINDHAM, the English rife
man, who distinguished himself during the
late Italian war, under Garibaldi, and who
served in the Sandman army for six years
having offered his services to the United
States Government, has been appointed to
a position in the Fifth Wisconsin regiment
JOHN BULLS HYMN.--( ALTERED FROM DR..
WHAT'S HIS NAME. )-TUNE: TRENT.
How doth the burly clustering, Bull
Improve the present hour,
And try to bully Jonathan,
By all means in his power.
The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-01-10
Abstract of the Annual Report OF tn c
Directors Of the Mint.

The report of Hon. James Pollock, on
the operations of the Mint establishment
for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1861,
has been received. From the Report it
appears that the amount of bullion receiv-
ed and coined at the Mint and branches,
during the period embraced in the Report,
largely exceeded that of any former year.
This, it appears, was due mainly to the I'm.
precedentedly large amount of bullion and
coin imported into the United States from
Europe. During the year, the amount of
bullion operated on was as follows Gold,
$1l6,97O,OO2,66; silver, S4,624,96l.57 f;
total, $l2l, 594,964.23. This includes,
however, re-deposits to the amount of
$49,448,393,22, which, being deducted,
makes the actual deposits $72,l46,57l.1O.
The coins struck amounted to SEA, 40O,597,
of which sum S49,597,O7l was the work of
the Mint at Philadelphia.
There was coined in the Branch Mint at
San Francisco, California, $l2, 42l 900 in
gold, and $4,000 in silver.
At the ASSAY Office, New York, fine
gold bars to the amount of $l9,948, 728S9
were made and stamped /; also, $l87 ,07S.63
in silver bars.
The Branch MINIS at New Orleans, Lou
isiana; Charlotte, North Carolina: and
Dahlonega, Georgia, ceased to make the
returns required by law early in the pres.
ent year Qs6D. Their operations up to
the time they were seized by the rebels, are
embraced in the report of the Director, who
has no information in relation to their op.
erations or issue since they passed under in
surrectionary control. Mr.. Pollock refers,
in severe but just terms, to the treachery
and disloyalty which were displayed in
Wrestling these institutions, by lawless vic.
ence, from the Federal Government.
In this report we have a confirmation of
the gratifying fact, that the supply of the
precious metals from the mines of the United
States, particularly from the Kansas and
Washoe regions, is increasing.
The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-01-10
kThe Holiday Season Over, Congress
will begin its Work.

Very little has yet been done in Con-
gross though more than has been usual in
advance of 1.-THE holiday vacation. The
state of the country demanded that mem.
bers Eshould work, rather than talk Bun.
combe and thus, while very few bills have
passed, there has been prepared, in COM
mittees, large amount of business which
will soon be perfected, now that the hollis
days are over.l
There has been thus far manifest diss
inclination to press important matters to a
vote; and especially so, where the ques'
tions involved would bring the admins
tration and its policy to test before Cons
greas. At the opening of the session, there
was a clear determination on the part of a
large traction of both Houses, comprising
the radical element, to force the President
into an entire change of policy. This ele-
ment had IAN appearance of great, if not
controlling, strength and, at first. it ap'
peared that the administration would be
obliged to succumb to its demands. We
believe, however, that the conservative ele-
ment has been steadily gaining power,
since the first week of the session until
now, little danger need be apprehended,
that the President will be left without a
clear majority in both Houses to sustain
the measures OF the administration.
President LINCOLN, however, will not be
permitted the enjoyment of this majority,
without an effort to deprive him OF it, on
the part of the radicals. We look, there
fore, now that the holidays are over, and
the real business of the session is about to
CONNIE nee, for stirring times in Congress,
for the month to come. Lines will be drawn
between the Conservatives and Radicals
the former heartily sustaining the policy
and measures of the administration, ard
the latte. opposing both to the extent that
their sense of safety will permit. There
have been marked evidences of bad blood
already, in both Houses; and these eviden-
ces will increase, in defiance of all the de.
mands of patriotism, until Congress shall
become as openly divided between Conser-
vatism and .Radicalism, as it has hereto,
fore been between Republicanism and De-
mocracy. And out of this struggle of the
conflicting elements, we do not hesitate to
believe that the President and his policy
will come forth triumphantly sustained.
The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-01-10
The Colored People Aiming.

We are glad to see that the colored people
are moving, and that it is likely that in a few
days they will compile strong military organ
izaticn. The colOred company in Halifax is
very efficient, and one OF the best there
Montreal Gazette Dec. 10.
The colored people in Canada, for the
most part, are fugitiyes from the slave
States,-sent thither over the U. g. r. r.
1t says as little for the Negroes gratitude as
for his appreciation OF the blessings of
"ireedom," that be should thus be showing
an inclination to take up arms, as .it were,
to help JEFF. Davis fight his benefactor.
The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-01-10
Private Contributions Not Enough fol
War.

1t is we'll known that efforts are now be-
ing made to make Germany a naval power.
A late European paper says that the cele.
brated historian Schlosser has refused to
give anything to the subscriptions which
are being made for the construction of a
German feet. 81 have not" be said, s'stu.
died the history of nations and States for
sixty years without learning that feet
cannot be created by charitable dona.
tions."
We commend this sound dictum to the
attention of those who suppose that war
can be carried on by irregular supplies, and
that the South, in spite of financial weak
ness, is able to carry on long struggle
against regular operations.
The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-01-10
The venerable Judge McCook,

The venerable Judge McCook, of
Steubenville, Ohio, father of the fighting
family" has now gone to Kentucky, rife in
hand, to pick off some of the A." secesh." He
has been all summer along the Potomac,
and has numbered his game by the scores
from WiIiamsport to Budd's Ferry. The
Louisville Journal, noticing his arrival, says
be has gone to the advance camp across
Green River, expressing great regret tina t
be missed the MunfOrdsville skirmish.
The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-01-10
s. AIN II PA UL .

We ARE informed, from Washington,
that the PIONEER AND DEMOCRAT has been
designated by the Federal Administration
as the official paper for Minnesota, in place
of the St. Paul Press. The laws of Con-
gress, therefore, and treaties with foreign
powers, together with public notices and
advertisements, will hereafter be published
officially in all the editions of this paper.
This will add greatly to the value of our
paper, and be special inducement to the
people of the State to subscribe to its issues.