The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-04-29
THE LATEST
THE WAR In VIRGINIA.
About Leess Movements
'Ssasement OF his FOrce...Navai
E1pedi'ion up the Rappahannock
""'IorPedocs-.-News from the PEN.
inSula.
BY TELEGRAPH

WASHINGTON: April 25.-The Star of this
morning says information has been received
from the rebel lines as late as FRIDAY NOR ;nor
last, to the effect that Lee is not, as has beeno
reported, moving towards the Shenandoah Val
ley; but is moving into his old position on the
Rapidan
Such movements of his cevalry as were go.
ing on seemed to be in the nature of q recon-
nOissances to ascertain Gen. Grants purposes.
Lees army is preparing for asudden move, but
seemingly is disposed to wait for Gen. Grant to
open the ball and develOpe his game.
The movement of our gunboats up the Rap
pahannOck raised an alarm in Richmond that
Burnside was etfecting q landing there, and a
new alarm has been raised among the rebels OF
movement on the south side of the James
river. Ctr l
The rebels are divided between fear that
Lee may be invested in Richmond should he
fall back there, and fear that he may be out
thanked by Gen. Grant should he remain in his
present position. =
Two weeks ago Lees forces amounted to
40, 600 men, and it is believed now that, with
the reinfOrcements he has been able to bring
up they do not amount to over 81, 900 men.
WASHINGTON, April 25.-There are wild ru.
mors afioat this evening, that the whole of
Longstreets corps is marching down the Shen-
andoah Valley towards the Maryland line. 1t
to be placed in them.
WASHINGTON, April 25.-The Navy Depart
ment has received q communication dated April
%, from Com. Fox, commanding the Potomac
tlotilla, in relation to the recent expedition up
the RappahannOck.
He says, Having learned from various sources
that the rebel government had established
ferry at Circus Point q few miles below Rappa-
hammock, and was busily engaged in collecting
boats at some point on the river, for the pur-
pose OF attacking the blockading vessels, pro-
cecded thither With 4 portion of the flotila on
the 18th, where remained until evening, and
visited all the ferries from Circus Point to Mud
Mill Point. with the following result:
Ten ferries were broken up; seven lighters
each capable of carrying 100 men, five pontoon
bridges, GO large skiffs and canvass, 200 white
oak beams and knees, large enough for the
construction Of slOOps Of war, &c, % large
boats, one CT which was capable of carrying a
small army, large amount of bacon and wheat,
and a large amount of small articles were
brought Off
1t Bachelors Point, on the south side of the
Rappahannock landing, our men were opposed
by force of rebel cavalry, said to be 500 strong,
which was kept at bay by the fire Of the Eureka
in Harriet'S creek.
The rebels made an attack on the Eureka on
the afternoon of the 21st inst, and were splen-
didly threshed.
Commodore Porter says he has it from trust
worthy sources that the rebels have placed tor
pedoes in the Rappahannock and all the
branches of the Chesapeake.
NEW YORK, April 25.-The Herolds cores
pondent from WiIliamsburgh, Va, 23d. writes
that contrabands are again coming from the
swamps of the ChickahOminy within the Union
lines at Williamsburgh. For some time there
has been but few arrivals of this description.
The appearance of this advance guard Of col
ored refugees is an almost unfailing indication
Of movement on the part of the enemy
From all reports SO far received the rebels
are evidently massing troops in all strong po-
sltlons TO resist the eXpect~d advance up the
Peninsula. The Richmond authorities are evil
IDENTIFY completely puzzled as to the designs of
Gen. Grant and information is constantly being
received OF the marching and conference.-the
of troops.
Gen. Fitz Hugh Lee has made his appear.
ance in the neighborhOod of Charles City Court
House. with cavalry force estimated to num-
Der from $500 to 5000. The greater part OF
this force is composed of re-enlisted veterans.
who have lately returned from recruiting fur
loughS. Col. Robbins also commands force
in this immediate neighborbood.
Charles City Court House is garrisoned only
ny pickets, The cid infantry division under the
command of Gen. Ely and regiment of heavy
artillery are at BrOmleys Station where they
are reported to be throwing up Entertainments
Troops are also concentrating at all the inter.
mediate points between the York and the
James River. COntrabands state that great eX
element prevails at exposed points, and the
Yankee advance is momentarily expected.