The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-05-23
THE WEEKLY PIONEER AND DEMOCRAT.
Omclal Visit OF the Military Committee
OF the Senate to Yorktown and For.
tress Monroe.

We learn from the National Intelltgeaacer
that q majority Of the M ilitary Committee
ofthe Senate, consisting of Messrs. RICE Of
Minnesota, Howard of Michigan, Mes
NTH OF Oregon and LATHAM OF California,
accompanied by several other gentlemen,
left the Navy Yard on the Government
steamer Mount Washington, on Monday
evening last, at five o'clock, on business
tour to Yorktown and Fortress Monroe.
The vessel landed at Yorktown at twelve
O'Clock on the following day, and the party
Immediately disembarked under escort of
General VAN ALIEN, the communicate of the
post. The business of the Committee,
which is understood to have been of an i'm
portant character, detained the party until
the following day, when they weighed an
Choir and steamed away for Fortress Monroe.
The correspondent of the Intellgencer
gives the following interesting particulars
of this important official visit to the seat of
war. 1t is the. same visit referred to by
Senator RICE in his letter to Colonel Ro.
BERTsoN
The works of the Confederates at York.
town were thoroughly inspected, and found
to be OF the most formidable character, and
it was their unanimous opinion that the
greatest possible credit was due to General
Mcclellan for com ,elling the evacuation OF
so important stronghold with so little loss
of life. Indeed they expressed the utmos
conf ience in the ultimate, speedy and com
plete success of all his plans for the entire
subjugatiOn of the rebellion.
Arrived at Fortress Monroe, the party
at once took small boats fo- the Moni.
tor" where they found the President, the
Secretary of War, and the Secretary of the
Treasury. Only a brief examination of
this important marine defence was allowed
before the " Merrimac made her appear
ance off Sewel's Point, and the oroer was
given to clear the decks for action, which
sent the party to their steamer again. Dur.
ing the afternoon they visited the Fortress
and paid their respects to Gen. Wool, and
the President and honorable Secretaries,
who were the Generals guests
Early on Thursday morning the commit
tee again visited and made full inspection
of the Monitor, which consumed most of
the forenoon. At lew minutes past IL
o'clock the bombardment of Sewalis Point
by the four war vessels-Semino!e, San ia.
cinto, Susquehanna, and Princeton, with
the Monitor 10 the advance and the Nau.
gatuc in their rear-cOmmenced and en-
crossed their attention during its progress.
1t is u drstood that an important confer
ence of the committee with the President,
Heads OF Departments, and Gen. Wool was
held during their stay there, that may be
the precursor of important and decisive
movements hereafter to be made.
Early on Friday the vessel got under way
for Washington, and after stopping Tor a
couple of hours at Piney Point, and about
the same length of time at Mount Vernon,
reached the Navy Yard at one O'Clock
Saturday afternoon.
1t is understood that the excursion was
undertaken for important business purposes,
that will be developed by the report of the
committee TO the body of which they are
members at an early day. As one of plea.
sure it was unmarried by any incident that
could detract in the slightest degree from
its perfect enjoyment. The movements of
the vessel were subject TO the command of
Senator Rice, AdmiraI for the tins being,
and most gallantIy did he perform bis i'm
portant functions, and most satisfactory to
the remainder of the committee. While
the vessel was on it's passage going and
coming Senatorial dignity seemed for the
nonce to have been laid aside, and the
conscript fathers held forth as even citizens
Senator Rice exhibiting all the qualities
for which he is go much esteemed by those
who know him best; Senator Howard, with
bis staid sobriety, enjoying with the Dig
nifty for which he is so much noted, the
frequent efervescences of wit and humor;
Senator Nesmith keeping the company in
the utmost good nature with themselves and
"the rest of mankind" with bis infinite fund
of wit, anecdote, and Western incident;
and Senator Latham, with bis polished
manners, graceful personols, fine literary
attainments, and marked good sense, con
tributing bis full share to the entertainment
of the party.
The Rumors of Intervention-spirit of
the Government.