The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-05-30
ON THE WAY TO RICHMOND
ADVANCE OF MsCLELLAN,s ARMY.
SCENES AND INCIDENTS ON THE MARCH.


Stoneman, Chief of Cavalry, at Prospect
Hill, near the point where the railroad
crosses the Black Greek, and three miles
from the crossing of the Pamunkey river.
General Stoneman has occupied the ad-
vance position since the departure from
Yorktown. The country from this place
to the Chicahominy has been cleared oil
the rebels, and in fear of our pursuit they
have burned the bridges and retired to
parts unknown. We have not yet followed
them to their boosted line or the Chica-
homipy.
Yesterday General Stoneman, accom-.
panied by some companies of cavalry, made
a reconnaissance toward the river at point
between the railroad line and nearly to
Bottoms Bridge, finding the enemy's guns
in position and some Infantry to support
them. He afterward proceeded in force to
take the battery, but the enemy hastily re.
treated after throwing few shells.
During yesterday little affair happened
which casts stigma upon the character oil
an officer not heretofore considered wholly
above suspicion. While Major Lawrence
Williams Of the Sixth United States caval.
ry was riding in advance, he was noticed
acting in a suspicious manner, and at la
ter hour an a6jutant came riding up from
the rebels with a note, requesting the Ma
jor to advance bis pickets certain distance
as they were falling back. The rebel ad-
jutant was placed under guard, and the
Major arrested and sent TO the headquars
tiers of General Mcclellan for trial. This
is in short, the best phase Of the case, while
reports make it mach worse.
FIFTEEN MILES TO RICHMOND.
A reconnaissance was made to day five
miles further toward Richmond, leaving but
fifteen miles of woodland and stream be-
tween our forces and the rebel capital. 1t
is probable that the army will Immediately
break camp and follow. Our dispatches
to day co1frm this suppostion Genera!
Mcclellan was within Is miles OF Richmond
yesterday.-EDs.
CONFIDENCE RESTORED.
The white population 10 the vicinity Of
New Kent Court House are regaining con
fidence and returning to their homes, find
ding that peaceabe citizens are secure in
the presence of our forces. Many of them
converse freely upon the war, but express
the hope that the +" Confederate notes will
never be below fifty per cent. discount -
from which remark it is to be inferred that
their secessionist procivities are not yet
eradicated. 10 fact, peace is expected as
coon as we occupy Ricomond.
The farmers are making preparations to
plant and SOW the same as ever, and it will
be highly necessary, for the country is
drained of everything eatable, or that will
feed horse flesh. Not a pig, cow, horse,
mule, or sheep, or poultry Of any kind, has
been saved from the ravages of the Copiede>
rate government and their army.
PRICES.
The stories Of high prices are in some in
stances not applicable to this country, cut
in others they are applicable in the extreme.
Salt is sixty dollars per sack and no Com
federate notes are taken 10 payment. Gro~
ceries of all kinds are extremely high; boots
are twenty-five and fifty dollars per pair and
few are to be had. Corn aud wheat, how
ever, are no higher than in New York
Bacon is IRON forty to fifty cents per
pound.
1t is curious to witness the dress and
"fxiDg-up" of the negro men and women
preparatory to departing with US. The
women put on their gaudy dresses and are
as independent as possible. The account
given by the Virginians who own hundreds
of slaves is, that they cannot now be made
to work at all. The owners themselves
look upon slavery as having received it:
death blow 10 the State, and should the
war continue they expect that Congress
will pass genera! emancipation law, as in
the District of Columbia.
SENTIMENTS OF THE PLANTERS.
There is growing sentiment OF security
among the planters as they become &C.
quainted with our army, and but for the
petty depredations OF few lawless soldiers
a very favorable impression of the north.
ern people would be left upon the minds Of
those who have been taught to hate them
A member OF the Virginia legislature. E.
[. Lacy, who lives here tells me that the
legislature Will have 20 members ircm The
counties north of Richmond, and that a
quorum will hardly be present from other
parts of the State. He thinks that Vir.
GINA is virtually gone, and believes that the
Confederate government have removed
everything from Richmond and intend to
give up the city without firing gun and
that the only defence the rebel army is
making now is to enable it to get safely
across the river, and not let US press too
heavily upon its retreat.
The people are loud and bitter In their
curses of the rebel leaders and of South
Carolina and Massachusetts,. "If" said Mr..
Lacy, we could push South Carolina and
Massachusetts, out to sea, and let the hot
heads eat one another up it would be q
blessing to the country" The New EGG
land soldiers are not at all liked in Vir.
GINA /; they fight too well.
THE COUNTRY.
The country along the Pamunkey is fer.
tile, and has fine mansions, but in the int,
rior, through the entire peninsula, the lanG
wears desolate end unfruitful aspect. Ter
miles below, near the Chickahominy saw
free negro colony, containing population
of about three hundred persons. The only
rebels seen in this vicinity yesterday were
struggling soldiers, deserters and others, te
the number of about hundred, who had
hidden and were awaitin0 tho approooh NJ