The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-05-29

INTERESTING FROM THE SOUTH.
From the Richmond Wing, May II.
THE SPOILS.

TIE SPOlLS.
From every side we hear that the spols
left by General Hooker's army exceed
these on any previous battle-felds, not ex-
cepting the engagements around Rich
mond. Not only an immense number of
small arms-variously estimated at from
thirty thousand to fifty thousand-but an
almost infinite quantity of overcoats, KNAPP
sacks, coats and blankets. An idea of the
spoils may be gathered from the statement
made to US by an artillery officer in regard
to the men Of his battery. He says the
country is so strewn with blankets, &C.,
that his men, in marching from one field
to another since the late battles, have
never numbered themselves with anything,
being satisfied that wherever they may
camp for the night plenty of blankets and
OvercOats will be found. Shall these things
be gathered up or thrown away; left to rot,
or to be collected by negroes or citizens,
who, after all the trouble of getting them
together, are to be insulted for so doing?
We trust mos t sincerely that Quartermas-
ter Myers will show proper efficiency in
this important matter.
THE SPIRIT OF OUR MEN.
1t is said that some of the heroic men of
Jackson'S corps, during the late forced
march to the rear of the enemy, rather
than struggle or be left behind, fell dead
in their tracks from sheer exhaustion
That this indomitable spirit was not con-
fined to Jackson's men, but inspired the
whole army, the following extract from a
letter, written by the commander of
light battery from this city will show. The
battles had not commenced when the let
ter was written:
CAMP NEAR FREDERICKSBURG. April ).
Yesterday we received, very suddenly,
an order to the front-distant twenty-five
miles. Starting with all the inevitable
entanglements and delays about halfpast
eleven A. NJ, we marched till three o'clock
this morning, and some till long after day.
My battery being in the rear of the column,
came in last-about sunrise. Our prOvis-
ions followed us into camp about twelve
NJ to-day. The march was through mud,
mud, and cold northwest rain no sleep,
no food. You should have seen the boys
ofmy battery, almost falling asleep as
they stumbled through the dark, clinging
mist-yet plunging in at the word, in knee
deep slush and mud to play at horses, and
to push the guns up on the tagged out
brutes. Some Oaths and some grumbling,
but at bottom will to do it.
These men, the privates, marched the
twenty-five miles through rain, mud and
night, carrying on their backs all their
worldly goods, and about half the time
helping their horses along.
Such are the men who compose Lees
army and defend this city from the horri-
BILE outrages of the cowardly and brutal
foe. If they show such spirit in defend
ing us, what ought we to do for them
when they are sick and wounded?
OUR DEAD HERO.
Since the death Of Washington no sim
liar event has so profoundly and sorrow
fully impressed the people of Virginia as
the death of jackson. The surprise and
admiration with which his earlier teats in
the war were regarded had long since ri
pened into cordial gratitude for his servi-
ces, boundless confidence in his capacity,
enthusiastic affection for his person, and
sincere veneratiOn for his character They
had come too, to regard him as one of
those men who have mission to fulfill,
and who bear charmed life. The Prov
idence on which he had so firmly relied,
had seemed to shield him from harm, and
there was a sort of superstitious faith that
he would pass unscathed through all dam
gers to the end. They were not, there
fore, prepared for the cruel mischance
that struck him down, and still less for
the fatal result that has so speedily fol-
lowed. There is not one loyal heart in
all this commonwealth, not one in all this
confederacy, that has not or will not sick
en- and sink with grief at his fall Were
itpossible to restore him, we believe there
are thousands who would give their own
lives to ransom him from the captivity of
Death.
For all this love for him living, and all
this grief for him dead, there was reason
enough; for in the great struggle which
now engages all hearts and hands, he was
himself power equal to many regiments
of armed men. He had thrown into it
all the energies of mighty spirit, and the
resources of great intellect. What 9TH
ers did or attempted from impulses of am
bltlon, patriotism, or a sense of duty, he
did from compulsion of conscience and a
reverential conviction of obligation to his
Maker. He did it with all the strength
of mind, soul and body. So actuated, he
thought not of consequences to himself
of dangers to be encountered, or glory to
be won; and, so acting, he left nothing
undone that was possible OF accomplish
ment.
There is no need now to rehearse bis
deeds-they are fresh in the memories of
all. But memorable as those deeds are,
and destined to become lessons for military
students for long ages to come, it was not
perhaps so much what in his brief but
crowded career he accomplished, as the
manner he did whatever most difficult
feat lay before, and the ability he thus
manifested for more arduous and memen-
tuous achievements - that explains the
wonderful growth of his fame, and will
give him place in history among the
most renowned heroes and captains of all
ages.
The old Mother State that bore him is
not sterile The confederacy for which
he fought is fruitful Of men; but it is
not to be expected that this war will pro-
duce, or this generation see one who in
all respects will fill the same great space
he has left void. Others may have the