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

their reports of the recent battles, separate lists
containing the names of officers, non-cOmmis-
stoned officers and privates, of their respective
commands, deserving of brevets or medals, or
honorable mention in orders, for distinguished
and gallant services in the face of the enemy.
1t is not expected that these lists will mention
those who simply do their duty, but those only
whose gallantry or merit were conspicuous and
worthy of especial notice. The lists should set
forth the number and nature Of wounds receiv-
ed, if any, and the previous battles in which
the officer or soldier has been honOrably men,
toned engaged or wounded, &c
AS usual in such cases, number of
persons will be rewarded whose gallantry
happened to be seen by their commanding
officers, or who enjoyed their good will,
while others, who were quite as meritori-
Gus, but not observed, will receive no no.
tice whatever. Rewards of merit are We
ry good things, but create many heart
burnings. There is no doubt. however,
as to their stimulating effect.
HOW IT LOOKS NOW.
From the Springfield tMassl Republican.
Having got safely through a week of what
might once have been called stentOrian lying
but Stantorian is now louder and more fit cpl
THEY'VE are now in situation to get at the
truth, pretty nearly, as to Gen. Hooker's cam
paign. The careful Washington correspondent
of the New York Commercial Adrertiser states
that our dead and wounded in the late battle
certainly exceed $1,000. This may be too high
an estimate, but the figures have been coming
up to it constantly. The number of our Off,
GERS and men held by the rebels as prisoners,
Col. Ludlow, our commissioner for exchanges,
states to be not over 800. This would make
our whole loss between ~ 900 and 2S, OOO The
rebels confess to loss of Is, 900, and private
reports from their side say it will not be less
than $4,000. In losses of men, therefore, the
battles resulted substantially in drawn game
We evidentally lost largely in muskets-
rebels say fifty or sixty thousand-and the SOL
ders left great numbers of Overcoats and other
articles behind. Which side took most cannon
Is still moOted point. AS to the only other
important matter going to the estimate of the
result, our army was driven into a bad posi-
ton, and compelled to retreat without accom-
plishing the object for which it crossed the
river. Such are the leading facts as they now
appear.
THE SPOILS OF THE ENEMY.
The Washington Republican gives the
subjoined explanation in contradiction of
the statement in the Richmond TVhig that
during HooKERs late battles "not only an
immense number of small arms--vari-
ously estimated at from 10000 to $4,000
but an almost infinite quantity of over
coats, knapsacks, coats and blankets" were
left on the battlefield by Gen. HOOKER and
captured by the Confsderates. The Re
publican says:
What there is of the above statement that is
not maliciously false, is an erroneous eXagger-
alton. We were informed some days since
that Gen. Hooker in returning to the north
bank of the Rappahannock with his army, left
in various places on the battlefields of Chance-
lorville, OvercOats, knapsacks, and blankets.
They were deposited from time to time, by Or
der of the brigade and reg mental commanders,
to relieve the men of their burdens while fight
ing. OF course the lines were constantly
changing and when the army was ordered by
the General Commanding to return, there was
no time for the men to collect their goods,
scattered over miles of ground. Consequently
they were Abandoned and of course the enemy
is making the most of it. While it is to be re-
GREETED that so much property is lost, it is not
so bad that it was left in the manner and for
the purpose stated, as it would be if it had
been captured in battle or abandoned in dis
graceful and forced retreat We deem this eX-
PLANTATION due alike to the public and the army.
FIGURES DO NOT LIE.
From the New York Herald.
The Tribune says Lees army at the time
Hooker crossed to give him battle only count
cd 90, 600 men. The Times says HoOl1ers army
at the same time numbered 100000 men. 1t
thus appears that, with more than three times
Lees army Hooker was unable to whip him
in the first fight, and unable to do it with
twice and half his number of men after he got
his reinforcements. According to the state
ments of the Tribune and Times Rockers loss
in killed and wounded, in the several battles,
amounted to only from Il, 900 to Is, 900, which,
with the prisoners captured by the enemy
numbering five or six thousand more would
make the total loss from %, 900 to q, 0U0 Lee,
it is stated by the same authorities, lost more
than Hooker did, Or about 30 coo men-eXceed-
ing half his original force. He could not have
been reinforced by more than from 10 600 to
$4,000 men. That would leave his whole force
after his losses-including the loss of General
jackson, who was host in himsei-trom 30
900 to 10000 men. Before this small force
Hooker retreated with an army which, after all
his losses, still numbered 136, 900 men, or about
four to one OF the enemy. So much for the
generalship and fighting qualities of the new
Napoleon.
WHEN DID THE RAIN COMMENCE FALLING,
One of the semi-official reasons given
out for HooKER's retreat, was the rain
storm which caused the Rappahannock to
rise. On this point Mr.. L. A. HENDRICKS,
the Herald's special at the headquarters
OF the fifth corps, gives in Saturdays pa
per the following evidence:
One of the reasons alleged for our coming
back Is that the river was rising rapidly in our
rear The rain commenced on Tuesday after
noon, and am informed authOritively that the
order for the wagon trains to cross back was
given on Monday, and that the pioneer and
pontoon corps were ordered at the same time to
prepare for the coming back of the army. AS
much if not more in sorrow than anger do our
soldiers speak of the failure of Gen. Hooker.
WHY DID THE ARMY RETREAT?
The following is an account of the coun-
Gil called by Gen. HOOKER previous to is
suing the order for retreat:
A fact has co,ne to light within a few days
past that has lost General Hooker what few
friends he has had in military circles since his
famous nine days campaign to the south side
of the Rappahannock and back again. 1t seems
that after the battles of Saturday and Sunday a
sc hold oil III,