The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-03-04
THE u ATEST
.ilu BYTELEGRAPH.olio . ear
FROM WASHINGTON,
Arrival Of Col. Streight and other
observation-disclosures Narrative
OF their Journey from. Richmond.


OF their Journey from. Richmond.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 29.-The Navy De-
partment has received the following report:
U. S. STEAMER ELLA WAsHINGroN,l
February 10, 1854. s
Hon. Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy.
have the honor to inform the Department
snat l arrived here to-day with Colonel A. d.
Streight, LIST Indiana Volunteers; Mai. McDon-
aid, 1O1st Ohio Volunteers; Captain Schearce.
DIST Indiana Volunteers, and First Lieutenant
John Sterling, Both Indiana Volunteers: !, who
made their escape from Libby Prison, Rich
mond, on the 9th inst, and reached Blackstone's
Island in the Potomac River, where found
them YESTERDAY; lam, very respectfully, your
Commander of the Potomac Flotilla.
WARRINGTON, Feb. 29.-A letter from
the Army of Potomac informs us that
Lieut. Scudair, one of the officers who es-
capped from Libby Prison with Colonel
Straight and party came into our lines last
. night, having been on the way nineteen
days. e' r..
he had intended to proceed by way of
GordOnsville towards the Ohio River.
thinking his chances of getting away in
tina. direction better than the peninsula,
as he felt certain of being captured had
he gone the latter way. After travelling
twenty-five miles his knees failed him and
he was forced to lie in a mudhole, as he
termed it, nine days. A negro took care
Of him and became his companion, and
he resumed his journey. o..
At another time he was obliged to lie
concealed three days. He finally reached.
the Rapidan on Saturday night and crossed
passing within a few PAGES. of the rebel
pickets. .-
Lieut.. Scudair says he saw no troops
near Richmnod. No white male inhabi-
tants were met on his route through the.
country; he met only women and chill
dren and negroes. He represents Lees
army as pretty strong, but no signs of
activity were visible. lie was captured
near Rome, Ga and had been in Libby
Prison six months. -'f
The Senate to-day in executive session
confirmed the following nominations: Maj.
Gen. o. s. Grant, of volunteers as Maj:
Gen. in the regular army, with commits
sion dating from July 4th, 1868, to fill an
original vacancy and the following were
confirmed as Brigadier Generals in the
regular army: Major General George G.
Meade, of volunteers, commissions dating
from July 8, 1868; vice Gen. Sumner, de-
ceased; Major General VI. T. Sherman,
of volunteers, dating from July 4, 1868,
to fill an original vacancy; James B.
Mcpherson, OF volunteers, dating from
August 18th, vice Harvey, retired Geo.
II. Thomas, of volunteers, dating from
October, 1863, vice Anderson, relieved;
Brig. Gen. Alfred Pleasanton, and Brig.
General Geo. Warren have been confirmed
as Major Generals of volunteers, the for
mer from June 22d, 1858 and the latter
from May Sd, 1868. III.
The President by message informed the
House to-day that he had approved the
bill reviving the grade of lieutenant gene
raj, and shortly afterward he sent to
the Senate the nomination of Gen. Grant
for that position. s eara rr
WASHINGTON, Feb. 29.-[Special dis
patch to the New York World. News
has reached the Navy Department that
during the latter part of January two
French frigatss entered Acapulco and pro-
ceeded to overhaul everything, threatening
to lombard the town if resistance was
offered. They examined the American
vessels in port, and caused much conster-
nation among those of other neutrals.
Accounts received by way of Panama
state that French frigate is keeping
strict blockade at Acapulco, and has
seized quantity of goods which were con-
traband of war.
The United States frigates Lancaster
and Saginaw are there. The former was
to leave for Panama on the arrival of the
French Admiral. The French will then
take possession of the town probably
without resistance