The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-03-04
THE WEEKLY, PIONEER AND DEMOCRAT
WEEKLY SUMMARY OF TELE.
GRAPHIC NE Tvs. & tsfh


The great cavalry expedition under COM
mand of Generals SMITH and GRIERsoN has
returned to Memphis. The account OF its OF.
erations seems too much in the nature of an
apology to be satisfactory to the careful reader.
It was evidently overpowered by an over
whelming force of the enemy and compelled
to retreat without accomplishing its most i'm
portant object, which was making junction
with Gen. SHERMAN. Tho destruction of rebel
supplies, and of small sections of railroad and
the captures of mules and negroes, and the
distribution of the Amnesty proclamation will
hardly be deemed of sufficient importance to
relieve the expedition from being considered
very nearly failure. What effect this failure
will have on the fortunes of SHERMAN, time
alone can determine as we know nothing of
his situation or how much he counted ON the
cooperation of the large cavalry force under
SMITH in the accomplishment of his designs
A dispatch to the World, written early last
week from Washington, states that great anx-
iety was felt by the best military minds for
SHERMAN's safety, and fears were expressed
that he would meet with disaster. This anx-
iety will now be shared by the whole country
Important amendments in the National
Banking Law have been proposed in Congress.
"A formidable offensive movement has been
undertaken by-a portion Of the Army of the
Potomac, but no particulars are given.
There are conflicting reports of the opera
tions below Chattanooga, which may be ac-
counted for in the fact that no reliable intel
ligence is allowed to be sent for the present.
-SHERMAN's expedition was q mystery to
the rebels as late as the 22d. They say he is
making war upon their substance and resour-
ces, and can do more damage than fighting
pitched battle.
The rebel steamer Tuscaloosa has been
seized by the British authorities, on the ground
that she formerly belonged to the United
States; had not been condemned, and had
been brought into an English port in violation
of the neutrality laws.
The Congressional committee to whom was
referred bill to prevent military interference
in elections, reported that the evil complained
of was mostly imaginary, and legislation on
the subject was improper.
The long hearlded Freedom National
Convention has met at Louisville. and adjourn
ed after the passage of radical resolutions.
The Kentucky delegation have called a con-
vention of that State to appoint delegates to
the Baltimore Convention.
The steamer Bohemian from Liverpool was
wrecked off the coast of Maine on the I'D.
The cabin passengers were saved but seven
teen steerage passengers were lost
We learn from Richmond that our forces
have made demonstration with gunboats and
land force on Grants Pass, thirty-five miles
from Mobile, but without favorable result.
Admiral FARRAeur is doubtless attempting the
capture of the city, and we have no doubt of
his ultimate success
The expedition moving into the interior of
Florida, from Jacksonville under Gen. SEY-
MoUR, has met with an unexpected and serious
reverse Fifteen miles beyond Jacksonville,
on the Tallahassee railroad, the rebels were
met, and after desperate battle lasting three
hours, our forces were overpowered and
obliged to retreat. Our loss is set down from
500 to 1900, and five guns. The force of the
enemy Is set down at Ii, 900 strong. Their loss
is unknown. This reverse disappoints, the
hopes that were raised by previous accounts Of
the successful landing and progress of the ex-
petition. On the 9th inst. Gen. GILMORE sent
a glowing dispatch to Gen. HALLEcK detailing
the capture of one hundred prisoners eight
pieces of artillery, in serviceabe condition, and
other valuable property to large amount, and
the newspapers began to talk of the restOra-
ton of Florida as a fact accomplished. But
they forgot the willy and treacherors foe that
lured our forces on to destruction.
1t appears that the movement on Dalton
was only a reconnaissance. Our forces have
fallen back. to Tunnel Hill, thirty-one miles
south of Chattanooga. The enemy were in
force at Dalton, and CLhBURNs division, which
had been sent to reinforce Polk, returned. 1t
it reported that LoNGsTREErs force was falling
back to Atlanta. The theory Of the Cincinnati
Commercial, that the main army of the Cum
berland was looking after LoNGsrREET, will
doubtless prove correct.
-Forty-nine ringleaders of a recent mutiny
at Fort Morgan, Mobile harbor, are under SEN
tence of death.
1t is said there arc two rebel iron clads at
Mobile, which are preparing to run out into
the Mississippi.
General PECK has enclosed to the rebel
General PICKETT, the Presidents order for re-
taliation on rebel soldiers for killing negroes in
violation of the rules of war, but informs him
he shall refrain from its execution until he
learns PIcKETr's action. PICKETT replies that
if he catches negro who has killed confed-
crate soldier Or citizen he will execute him, and
for every man executed by PECK in retaliation
he will hang ten.
E. B. WAsHBURNE, Member of Congress,
leaves Washington to-day Sunday for Chat
tanooga, with Gen. GRANTS commission as
Lieutenant General. tits generally understood
that the Washburne family favor the nomina-
ton of Gen. GRANT to the Presidency.