The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-05-06
FROM CAIRO.
Remarkable Exploit---GunboatC Cap
tured by Observation-Disclosures Steamer
Attacked---Actiyfty of the Rebels.

tufeO Dy cavalry ss.EAnOtncF StcaNkcT
MISUNDERSTANDING of the Rebels.
CAIRO, May BY the arrival of the steamer
Mollie Able, we have New Orleans dates to the
26th and Memphis Doth. The Steamship Morn
ing Star, New York 10th, arrived on the even
ing of the 25th. Markets too unsettled for
quotations The Mollie Able brought 200 hhds.
of sugar and few bbs. of molasses.
The gunboat Petrol was suddenly boarded,
captured and burned by Writ Adams cavalry,
on the 23d, two miles above YazoO City. A
number on the boat were killed. Capt. Nicely
and crew are missing, supposed to be prisoners.
The executive officer, engineer, pilot and an
ensign escaped.
The Petrol was a small-sized gunboat, and
carried four or five guns.
The following Sunday q Federal officer
named Wooster, formerly in command of
colOred reg iment, was executed in the same
vicinity.
The steamer Tycoon from White River ar.
rived at Memphis reports skirmish between
cavalry and guerillas near Duvals Bluff. The
enemy were routed and number of prisoners
captured.
The Arkansas River is falling rapidly.
The steamer Progress was recently fired into
near COncordia, Miss, and one deck hand
wounded. Another attack was made near
Grand Lake. One guerilla was killed and ten
taken prisoners by a company of marines. The
Progress was attacked third time near Island
No IS. No injury.
The military authorities at Memphis are
pressing horses of citizens for the purpose of
mounting a body of cavalry for duty there.
CAIRO, May 2.-Generals Ransom and Stone
are passengers by the steamer Memphis from
New Orleans. General Ransom is rapidly re-
covering from his wounds. His statement goes
to eXonerate Gen. Stone from responsibility
in the recent disaster, resulting from the dis
Nf Col l.,
He states further that Stone has endeared him.
self to the army of the Gulf by gallant conduct
in the battles of the Sth and 9th.
On the 10Th the steamer Roe bound for
New Orleans, took wood at the mouth of the
st. Francis, which being used in the furnaces,
caused an explosion, resulting in no damage
save the burning of the face and hands of the
Fort Adams, she was signalled by man near
shore, apparently in distress. The engines
were Immediately stopped and yawl lowered
for his relief, when a masked battery from a
fort opened on the Roe, striking her wheel
house, doing little damage. Two hundred
infantry also fired at the boat, but without
effect. The boat was heavily loaded with gov
eminent stores.
The party who captured the gunboat Petrol
represent the number at about 800, with pieces
of artillery, which with musketrv suddenly
opened on the boat. The crew, though taken
by surprise, responded. and quite a brisk fire
was kept up some minutes, when ball from
/ the enemy pierced the boilers of the Petrol,
filing the boat with scalding steam, COMPEL
ing the crew to leave her. What damage was
inflicted on the enemy is unknown.
The steamer Wilson, from the Red River, ar
rived on Saturday with 210 bales of cotton.
Gen. Sturgis had started on the 3Oth nit.
with large force on an expedition after For
rest. There is nothing reliable concerning the
latter. 1t was rumored that he was within a
few miles of Memphis with large force, and
designed capturing that place.
A flag Of truce was sent to PadGcah this
morning, requesting an exchange of surgeons
held as prisoners. Col. Hicks replied that he
had only power to exchange bullets, which, al
latest accounts, was declined by the rebels.
Gen. Hurlbut is relieved of the command oil
the 10th corps. Brig. Gen. Prentice commands
the district of Cairo, vice Brannan.