The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-02-27
THE NEWS.

| from sickness, which is reported as increas-
ing, while one-quarter are now unfit fol-
duty. There is a report showing that an
attack on Vicksburg is near at hand. The
usual gossip is given about the grand
'canawl," which is the unfailing staple OF
news from this quarter
From Richmond we learn that the
Confederate Congress has refused to sus-
tain JEFF. DAVIS order for the imprlsOn-
ment of Union officers The rebel army
has done growing, as all between IS and
As are now in service, and it is now pro-
posed to conscript foreigners.
There were rumors in New Orleans of
disaster at Port Hudson, but they could
not be traced. A rebel telegram, a few
days ago, stated that battle had been
fought, the rebels retreating to Port Hud-
son and the federals to their camp.
The French army is not meeting with
great success in conquering the MeXicans
in battle, and is suffering terribly from
diseases incident to the climate The
French entrance to the City of Mexico
may be delayed much beyond their expec-
tations.
"A sad accident occurred in Baltimore
on Thursday, whereby Commodore Max
WELL Woodruff of the Navy lost his life
He was examining q fortifcation in COM
pany with Generals BUTLER and ScIENCK,
and passed before a 32-pounder, as it was
being fired with q blank cartridge IS q ea-
Lutte. The flesh was blown from his lower
limbs and he died in a few moments.
1t is not very consoling to taxpayers
to learn from dispatch that twenty five
million dollars have been stolen from the
Quartermaster's Department alone, within
the last few months.
According to the New York Times, it
is positively stated in Washington that the
attack on Charleston was 20 take place
yesterday, the Goth.
The National Currency bill passed the
House of Representatives Friday, with
out having been materially amended after
it left the Senate. Its provisions, we be-
lieve, are substantially as follows:
1. $500, loco, goo bonds, to run forty years, if
deemed advisable by the Secretary, to bear IN
tcrcst payable in coin at a rate not over six Per
cent; said bonds to be disposed Of by the Sec
rotary at such rates as he may deem fair
,. $500, 600, GOO Treasury notes, to run three
years, and to bear interest payable in paper, at
not over six per cent per annum said notes
to be legal tender for their face.
8. Either $500 600 coo or $3.50, 600, geo more
legal tender notes.
/ Fractional currency limited to S5O, coo, 0O0
,. Coupons on bonds and Treasury notes not
to be receivable in duties.
G. Bank circulation to be taxed On the aver
age not over two per cent. per amman.
Z. The Secretary to keep accounts exclusive
ly with Assistant Treasurers
The Tribune story Of an impeach-
ment of Mr.. SEwARD's veracity by Mr.
LINCOLN, in denying that he had any share
in the document written by the former in
reply to DE Illus proposition, is only
another evidence of the deep-seated AMI
mostly Of that journal, and will doubtless
return to "plague the inventor - of it.
General BANKS has sent portion Of
his forces from Baton Rouge to operate
with Gen. WErTzEL in The Plaquimine dis
trict, on the west side of the river 1t is
stated in Eastern journals that General
BANKS mas intimated to the Government
that he cannot attack Port Hudson until
he is largely reinforced.
The Harrisburg pa Telegraph has
the following on the Legislative Investi-
eating Committee in the Cameron bribery
case
The committee still remains rcticcnt, and
holds the public mind in suspense as to what
course they are pursuing and what progress
they are making in bringing to light the tor
tuOus and secret paths through which high
public funcOnary attempted to wind his way
into the United States Senate This reticcnce,
together with the fact that certain notorious
cOrruptionsts have been seen III close confer
cnce with the committee, induces a fear in the
minds of some that all is not right.
"A secession Convention in Kentucky
has been nipped IN the bud by military au-
thority, and the members ordered to dis
perse to their homes. Col GILBERT, the
officer in command, announced to them
that no candidate but of und0ubted loyalty
to the Government would be allowed TO
run for any office. The Convention was
ostensibly a Democratic Convention to
nominate candidates for next August
election.
The Alabama still eludes all our men,
of-war, and two more of her captures are
reported-the brig Castlemere, and the
bark Golden Rule The schooner HanO-
yer, of Boston, has also been captured by
another privateer, probably the Retri-
button.
"A resolution has been introduced in
the Confederate Congress, instructing
President DAVIS to withdraw all the diplo-
matte agents of the Confederate States
from foreign countries which shall not re-
copniza the independence of the Southern