The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-04-25
FROM WASHINGTON.
REBEL EDITORS HUNG.

cepted letters from Richmond, that several
editors of rebel newspapers have been hung
for publishing intelligence which was cons
traband of war.
STATE ALLOTMENT AGENT.
A general order from the Adjutant Gens
erals office directs paymasters to recognize
agents which States may, under certain cir
cumstances, appoint to receive soldiers pay.
GEN. BLENKER HURT.
A rumor, which the War Department
has not had opportunity to disprove or
verify, asserts that Gen. Blenker has been
seriously injured by fall from bis horse. 1t
is not true that his command has been as
signed to Gen. Rosecrans.
THE TREASURY IN GOOD CONDITION.
WASHINGTON, April l8.-The condition
OF the treasury now enables the Secretary
to direct the payment 10 cash of all claims
OF dates prior to November LIST, 1861, in1
GLIDING claims settled by the St. Louis
commission, and it is expected that the
November claims will also be paid in full
within few days. All other claims, with.
out regard to date, will be paid on presen>
tation, if desired, as heretofore, 80 per cent.
in cash.
The prospect of the passage Of the Pacific
Raj road bill during the present session is
lot promising.
| THE STORY OF DESERTERS.
! The HerGLd's Fortress Monroe correspon.
dent, under date Of the 18th, states from
our army before Yorktown 81 hear the
most cheering news. From Information
received frow soldier l learn that last
evening, Colonel and Lieutenant Colonel
from the rebel army came over to our lines
and surrendered themselves as prisoners of
war. These two officers also report that
an entire Irish brigade had mutinied, and
| by order of JEFF. Davis were deprived of
their arms and sent to the rear"
POSTAL MATTERS.
WASHINGTON, April l9.-rhe act au-
| thcrizing the Postmaster General to estab.
lish branch post Offices in the cities, pre-.
scrbes the charge of one cent in addition
to the regular postage, for every letter de-
posted in any branch post Office, to be for
warded by mail from the principal Office,
and which shall be prepaid by stamp and
one cent for every letter delivered at such
branch Office, to be paid on delivery.
STEVENS BATTERY.
The naval appropriation bill contains an
item Of nearly $500 900 to pay for and fin.
ish the Stevens Battery,-the money not
to be expended unless the Secretary of the
Navy is of the opinion that the same will
! secure en- efficient steam battery. The bill
appropriating $l3,O00,G00 is to enable the
Secretary of the Navy to contract for 9th.
er iron clad steam vessels of war.
DISPATCHES FROM PULASKI.
WASHINGTON, April l8.-Colonel Nor.
row, late of the Sd Ohio regiment, now at
tached to General Hunters staff, has arrivs
ed, bringi dispatches to the War Depart
ment, but which, up to one o'clock this af-
ternoon, had not been delivered. He states
that among the prisoners taken is Captain
Simms, editor of the Savannah Republican.
The sword belonging to the latter he has
presented to Representative Guernsey, Of
Ohio.
APPOINTMENT DECLINED.
Major Berrtt has had an appointment
rendered by the President as one of the
commissioners under the bill for the obolis
ton of slavery 10 the District of Columbia,
but the New York specials say he has de-
clined to serve. (
fOSI VFFICE DILL.
The Post Office apportionment bill pro.
vides for 81 100000 for the service of the
California Central Route, and repeats acts
requiring the Postmaster General in caus-
ing the transportation of the mails by steam
ship between our own and foreign ports,
and between any of our own ports, touch
ing at foreign ports, to give the preference
to American over foreign steamers, when
departing from the same port for the same
destination within three days of each other.
TIE Postmaster General is authorized to
establish coast mail not less than semi-
monthly between San Francisco and Ores.
cent City, California, including service at
the intermediate ports, provided the sum to
be paid for such service does not exceed
$4,000 per annum. The President has
approved and signed the above named bills.
MEDICAL DEPARTMENT.
WASHINGTON, April lO.-The act to res
organize and increase the efficiency of the
Medical Department of the army, adds to
the present corps ten surgeons, ten assistant
surgeons, twenty medical cadets, and as
many hospital stewards as the Surgeon.
General may consider necessary. The Sur
geon General to be appointed under this
act is to have the rank, pay and emolu-
ments of Brigadier General. There is to
be one Assistant Surgeon General and one
Medic-l Inspector General of hospitals
The latter is to have the supervision of all
that relates to the sanitary condition of the
army. There are to be, besides, eight med
ical inspectors, charged with the duty of in
specting the sanitary condition of the trans
ports, quarters and camps of the field, and
general hospitals. Tee appointments are
to be made by the President, either from
the regular or volunteer surgeons, with sole
regard to qualification.
New YORK, April ia letter from
Col Barnes, of the Mass. 18th. at York<
town, received in Boston, states thlt the
number of the forces of the enemy is not so
large as has been reported, and does not
now exceed 10000 or $4,000 men.
Neither are their guns of as formidable
character as has generally been reported.
Col. Barnes further says our siege guns
have come, and before long they will be at