The weekly pioneer and Democrat., 1862-06-20
NEWS FROM WASHINGTON,
NOTHING OF IMPORTANCE FROM
MCCLELLAN AND HHIELDS.

with little result on either side.
The weather is good, and roads improv-
ing.
FUGITIVE SLAVE DECISION.
The Circuit Court today in the matter
of John and VIM. Jackson, claimed as fugi-
tives by Dennis Duval of Maryland, reiter>
ated its former decision in refusing to admit
testimony as to the loyalty of the claimant,
but permit admission of testimony as to
whether the slaves had been actually
engaged aiding the rebellion. The fugitives
were returned to the claimant The coun-
selor for the slaves claimed that the court
should return fugitives only at the requisi-
tion of the Governor of Maryland, bat the
court decided against the point.
ADJUTANT GENERAL THOMAS.
Adjutant General Thomas was transact
ing business as usual to day at the War
Department. This is sufficient reply to
statement that he had been suspended from
Office. 1t is not known to bis most init.
mate friends that court of enquiry, as re-
ported, is engaged in investigating any of
his official transactions.
ASSASSlNS WANTEU.
The Richmond Examiner, of the 9th, de.
votes its editorial columns to deploring such
fact that there is found no individual des-
perate and weary of living by the wretch.
edness this invasion has brought on him as
to substitute what may be an ignominious
suicide for a glorious martyrdom. This is
intended doubtless as an incentive to assassi-
nation Of the U. S. Officers who have taken
possession of rebel territory.
The paper is printed Un half sheet, and
is striking evidence of the impoverished
condition OF affairs in Richmond.
THE TAX BILL.
The conference appointed on the part of
the House on the tax bill are Thaddeus
Stevens, Morrill, of Vermont, and Holman
of Indiana, and on the part Of the Senate,
Fessenden, Harris, and Henderson.
THE SURGICAL DEPARTMENT..
Times despatch. IAN order will be is
sued probably tomorrow modifying the reg.
ulations governing brigade surgeons, by
placing them under the more Immediate
control of the Surgeon General, who will
direct their services wherever they may be
required.
REBELS AT FREDERICKSBURG
A gentleman from Fredericksburg direct
states that when the bridge across the Rap
pahannock was swept away by the food
the other day, the secessionists Of both sexes
assembled on the bank and manifested their
delight by cheering and waving of hats and
handkerchiefs, yet no one was arrested.
The few Union citizens of the place com>
plain bitterly that the protection given to
rebel property is denied to them, and that
avowed rebels are treated with so much
tenderness as to make many Of the poor
Unionists feel peculiarly hard. When Gen.
Doubleday went out he took for bis head
quarters the house of notorious rebel, who
had three sons in the rebel army, but Gen.
Mcdowell instantly ordered General Dou-
bleday out and placed a guard to protect
the premises.
DISPATCH FROM GEN. MCCLELLAN.
The following dispatch has Just been
transmitted to Secretary Stanton, also a
copy to General Casey:
HEADoU RS ARMY OF PoToMAC,(
June 8, II p. NJ.
To Hon. E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War:
My dispatch of the lst inst, stating that
General Casey's division, which was in the
line, gave way unaccountably and discredit.
ably, was based on official statements made
to me before arrived On the field of battle
and while | was there, by several com
manders.
From statements made to me subsequents
ly by Generals Casey and Negley, am
induced to believe that portions OF that
division behaved we'll, and made a most
gallant stand against superior numbers, but
at present the accounts are too conflicting
to enable me to discriminate with certainty.
When the facts are clearly ascertained, the
exceptional good conduct will be properly
acknowledged.
Signed, G. B. MCCLELLAN,
ajOr General Commanding.
GEN. BURNSIDE DECLINES 4 SERENA ADE.
WASHINGTON, June 13th.-Gen. Burn
side was yesterday rendered serenade by
bis friends here. He replied that be was
exceedingly obliged to them for their kind
ness, but declined the compliment.
LORD LYONS GOING HOME.
Lord Lyons had an audience with the
President to-day, being on the eve of his
departure for Europe. He will be absent
several weeks.
The President cffers by proclamation
large quantity Of land at public sale in Ore
gOn next OctO Der.
SLAVERY IN MARYLAND.
WASHINGTON, June l3th.-A Baltimore
slave trader who is largely engaged in the
traffic in human flesh, testified before the
Emancipation Commissioner yesterday, that
slaves are worth nothing in Maryland
The negroes are running away so fast that
their value sensibly depreciates.
A bureau of emigration is talked of here,
with Eli Thayer at its head.
SECESSION RUMORS,
For several days past secession rumors
have prevailed that the Monitor and two
other OF our vessels had been captured by
the enemy above Fort Darling, and the
names of distinguished gents are unauthor-
izedly. mentioned in their support, but
there is such positive information as shows
the reports have not even shadow OF f0un
dation-such an occurrence is impossible.