The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-03-14

,ndenee ~ CHICAGO Po6s.

| The only Information Of interest here to-
day that is proper for publication, is from
Nashville. and that ! have forwarded by
talgrsph. Tie inhabitants Of that city
are resting id peace and quiet under the
protection 90 well as restraint Of General
Buells army-a state of things which is
said to be appreciated BY larger portion
OF them as q paradise compared with the
reign Of terror and destruction which sur.
rounded them for week preceding the ex-
odus Of Jonstons army. The Texas Ban.
gers, forming Johnston's rear guard, avow-
ed q determination to carry out the recon.
mendation Of Toombs, Cobb Il Co., by
burning the city and leaving black and
desolate waste for our army to occupy. But
this thing Oft mans burning up bis pro-.
perry and turning himself penniless out of
doors, is easier to talk about than to do.
Unless he is fool be will upon coming to
the point, remember the old fable of the
man who bit his own nose off to spite bis
face, and concluded it best not to bite. The
people of Nashville came to the conclusion
with great unanimity (although it is proba>
BILE from what appears that they never re-
garded the "howling and desolate waste"
business with much favor.) During the last
week of rebel rule in Nashville, the citizens
were compelled to nightly guard their hous-
es to save them from the incendary torch.
All manner of outrages and depredations
were perpetrated by the rebel soldiery.
Dwellings were entered regardless of the
owners rem0nstrances or the terrors of wO
men and children. Furniture was Destroy
ed and articles of value stolen Families
were driven into the streets and compelled
to give up their beds to the occupanc of
armed ruffians. The rebel commanders
were powerless 10 restrain the excuses of
their men, and in too many cases probably
encouraged them. Johnston, however,
made speech to them, protesting against
such doiDgs aud threatening punishment;
but Johnston was 10 too much of a hurry to
see that his orders were executed. His ar
my was mob OF twenty thousand lawless,
brutaIized ruffians, released from the re-
straints of discipline by the sudden orders
for evacuation. What wonder that from
such moo the citizens of Nashville should
turn to the approaching Union army for de-
liverance?
Some miles below Nashville, the river by
sudden turn approaches within two miles
of the city. AT this bend a battery was
erected to command the river. Before the
arrival of our gunboars Johnston tumbled
the guns down the bill and blew up the en-
tIenchments with powder. Hearing of the
approach of General Nelson's command,
the citizens sent a messenger to request him
to land at this place and cut off the retreat
OF the Texan cavalry who had committed SO
many jepredatious. The word, however,
did not reach its destination and the feet
proceeded onward to the city. arriving
shortly after the Texan rufians left. Some
OF them even yet fingered in the vicinity,
and after our fleet had landed at the levee
they set fire to the small steamboat at
the upper side of the city, cut her adrift
and let her float down in order to fire the
feet. The burning boat was quickly dis
covered and scutted, and thus the intended
mischief was averted.
The destruction of the bridge at Nash
vile, was complete. Nothing is left of the
costly railway viaduct but the stone piers,
and the Suspension bridge hangs only in
shreds from its towers.
The Nashville Banner newspaper which
surrendered with Fort Donelson, resumed
publication cay before yesterday as Un.
ion paper. Its proprietors profess to have
experienced change of heart. M,
The prevailing opinion is, that the rebels
intend making stand al Chattanooga or
Stevenson On the Charleston and Memphis
railroad. This place is situated about one
hundred miles distant from Nashville, and
ia said to be location susceptible of
strong deteuce.
The placs can be rendered by proper for
tifcatious one OF great strength, as its nat
ural advantages are such as to render it
somewhat difficult Of access by an advance
ing arnl7 after batteries have been erected
in places commanding the approaches to
The town from ehe North. In TACT it is
said 10 some respects to be similarly situat-
ed GO Doualson, while it will be exempt from
thosa terrible means of annoyance the Tn.
ion gunboats.
II this be trus, a desperate fight may be
expected wheu the opposing forces meet at
that point.