The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-02-20
THE NEWS.

I
ident, with accompanying reports from the
Interior Department, upon the subject Of
the Indian War in Minnesota. From this
abstract it is evident that only a surface
view of the origin of the difficulties has
been given by the Government officials.
The measures determined on for the pro-
lection of our frontier are seemingly not
alluded to. If we were only niggers up
here, instead of being g ornery whites,'
we would stand better chance at the
hands of the Federal Government.
An abstract of Senator WILSON'S re-
port on the case of RICHARD THOMAS, of
Maryland, political prisoner, who was
stated to have become insane while in con-
fnement, will be found among our special
dispatches.
1t is denied that Governor CURTIN has
been engaged in an attempt to form a new
party, in connection with THURLow WEED,
Secretary SEWARD, and other Conserva-
tives.
Dispatches from Rear Admiral DU-
POINT cover statements from the officers
commanding various vessels Of the block
aiding feet off Charleston, which explic-
lily deny the truth Of the rebel accounts
of the raising of the blockade at that
port.
Both Houses of Congress were in ses-
sion at one O'Clock this morning, according
to our special dispatch from Buffalo, at
that hour.
By special dispatch we have the Of
fetal report of the capture of the Hatteras
by the Alabama, off the Texas coast.
Gen. MCCLELLAN has applied for &C
tive service; Gen. FREMONT has demanded
to be placed in active service somewhere,
and has threatened to resign if not speed
lily employed; Gen. SHIELDS has been Or
dered to the Department Of the Pacific +;
Gen. GoRMAN has been relieved frem active
duty, and ordered to Memphis to await
the action of a court Of inquiry into his al
legged cotton operations, and other charges
against him.
There is a rumor derived from rebel
sources that Gen. BANKS has fought bat
tie seven miles below Port Hudson, which
resulted in the falling back of the rebels
to Port Hudson, while BANKS retired to
his camp-in other words, drawn battle
We have another cutting-off project
for opening the Mississippi, without direct
ly attacking VicSsburg. 1t is proposed to
turn the river into two bayous, which near
ly connect with Red River, thus opening a
new channel, and leaving Vicksburg one
hundred miles to the left. At last &C
counts the old canal had six feet of water
in it, which was rapidly increasing.
The President and Secretary STANTON
are maturing a plan for the organization
Of the fighting blacks.
The Illinois Legislature has finally ad-
iourned. Owing to the disorganizing con-
duct of the Republican Senators, it was
impossible to transact the ordinary busi-
ness of the session.
Another heavy snow storm has oc-
CURED on the Rappahannock, which puts
the roads in such a condition that no
movement of Importance will be made for
some time. Why don't we hear some
thing from the 'On to Richmond -
crowd about Hooker being " stuck in the
| mud"
-Messrs Flanders and Hahn have been
admitted to seats in the House of Repre-
sentatives.
Three rebel regiments attacking two
federal regiments near Vicksburg, were
repulsed.
The Minnesota Second has had Skin
mlsh with FORESTS guerillas, and had one
man killed and five wounded.
The report that Gen. SHIELDS will be
assigned to the Pacific department., is un-
founded. Gen. FREMONT, it is SAID, is 60
ing to Texas, and BUTLER to New Orleans.
The new CONSUMPTION bill has passed
the Senate MIR. WMKINsoNs amendment
to exempt members of Congress, was re-
jected.
1t is believed the grand movement to
take Vicksburg will shortly commence.
The rebels are very active in their endeav-
ors to obstruct the navigation of the Mis-
slsslppl, and are able to do considerable
damage to steamers.
The Confederate committee on Judi
ciary has been instructed to bring in bill
providing for the sale of allsnegroes taken
in arms against the Confederacy. The
proposition to put out of existence such
valuable captures, was only "bunco,ne.
Brig. Gen. Benham was restored IN
his rank by the order of the President
who found the charges against him upsus.
tanned.