The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-10-23

Cle OtaCe, marked ltnprOVenenL IN the
safety and peacefulness OF Richmond
would soun be manifest.
Personal Collision Between General
John Mcneil aud Hon. Norman
Gutter.
ON the st Louis Democrat Oct. 10
A rather exciting affair occurred at
about halfpast four O'Clock yesterday at
ternoOn, at the southwestern corner of
Olive and Fourth streets. A live General
and live H"nOrable," the one from
hard-wO fields of glory, and the other re-
joicing in some legislative fame, met, quar-
relied, "pitchei into" each other, rolled
zealouly over and over one another, to
the inexpressible amusement OF crowd
OF bystanders, and concluded by the one
showing the other into show window, af-
ter which the beligerents, unharmel, were
separated.
The principals in this delectable scene
Were Gen. John McNiel and Norman Cut
ter the former needing no introduction
to the public, and the latter well-knOwn
citizen and politician Of St. Louis. 1t ap.
pears that the two casually met as former
acquaintauces, and engaged in an AMIGA
Dle conversation, which SION turned upon
Gov. Phelps, OF Arkansas, whom General
Men Fl took occasion to pronounce cop
perhead. Cutter somewhat Indignantly
rejoined that Phelps Was his personal
friend and that lie knew him to be no
copperhead. The tone of this letort irri-
tated the General, and he responded in a
vein Ahich led Gutter 70 retors, "You be
d-d." Cater then referred to the
Generals military position, expressed
defiance, and was taunting him with
having ordered ten nien to be shot, saying,
" You can sl.OOt your ten men, but"
when Mcneil struck lIi,n in the face--the
blow coming at the word ''but" The
two cinched and wrestled, trying to strike
each other, but fell together and struggled
upon the pavement, while a crowd gath
ere,l III a ring, some crying 8" fair play"
an others eviacing disposition to inter
f-re. B.fore the tall, Mcneil was showed
in j. V. NJ tlar's show window, smash.
ing one OF the large paneS into numberless
| and very fine pieces. The contest was
soon ended by the Intervention OF friends
OF each party. Neither were much hurt,
though Cutters face was wounded and
bled, while scarcely scratch dis6gured
the Generals. At the last came up two
| policemen, one of whom very politely
inquired of each of the belligerents if he
| wi>hel the other arrested, and received
from both an emphatically negative reply.
This settling all question as to any dis
turbance OF the public tranquility, the
valuable "stars gracefully retired.
Generals Thomas and Granger.
From the Philadelphia Inqrirer.
Without even passing reference to the
other Generals of the Army of the Cum
berla ID. some of whom, il is believed, de-
serve blame. while others merit great
praise, the public voice seems to concur in
giving the greatest credit in the recent Sc
we're battles to the two Generals we have
named General Thomas was known in
the old army as respectable, brave and
dign;tied officer, and in the lower grades
during the Florida aod Mexican wars he
did excellent service. He received bre-
vet OF First Lieutenant in the former war,
and in the latter was twice brevetted for
gallant conduct at Monterey and at Buena
Vista When the war broke out he was
Major OF the Second Cavalry; but soon
after appointed General of Volunteers, he
has distins uished himself in all the conflicts
in Kentucky and Tennessee.
Without remarkable energy or quickness
of mind, General Thomas has valor, cool
judgment and great common sense, which,
combined with thorough military educa
ton, fit him well tor the high command he
has so successfully welded. The charac-
teristics we have mentioned are cue to
Lis conduct on both days CT the terrible
battle. To his cool judgment and good
sense we owe the judicious positions Of his
troops, and to the example of his own un-
f1inching bravery We owe their stern re-
sistance while their comrades were giving
way.
If General Thomas does not rank among
Generals of the h CHEST class, he is every
inch soldier, and the country may con-
fide in his loyal determination always to
do, as he has always done, his best. This,
we hope, will not be regarded as faint
praise; with real admiration of his noble
conduct, we wish to shield him in time
from that indiscriminate adulatiOn which
has done such injury to numbers of our
excellent Generals already.
General Gordon Granger is remark
able type of class known as deueIopino
men. When he was at West Point. as a
provincial lad, his comrades remember him
as uncouth and awkward. When the Mexi-
can war troke out they saw with astonish-
ment the strange transformation of the
rough country boy, effected by the "light
! OF battle, shining in his face. Every day