From Washington

Special to the Chicago Tribune.

WASHINGTON, March 13.

Leonard F. Ross, Col. of the 17^th Illinois, and Capt. Ricketts, of the 1^st U. S. artillery, (the latter of whom was imprisoned some time at Richmond,) have been nominated Brigadier Generals.

A sub-committee of the conduct of the war committee visit Manassas to-day, to investigate the actual condition of that place, with a view to discover the enemy’s strength and defenses at the time when our Generals were still hesitating.

It is ascertained that a citizen of Massachusetts made the first advance on the rebel strongholds on Sunday morning.  Roving beyond our lines, he gradually neared Centerville, and seeing no enemy, he boldly marched within the entrenchments and contemplated with surprise the wooden guns with black mouths mounted there.  He pushed on to Manassas, and “occupied” both places until Monday, when he turned them over to the four corps d’armee.  His testimony has been taken by the conduct of the war committee.

Garrett Davis made almost a disunion speech in the Senate yesterday, on the bill for the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia, saying that Kentucky should be a “La Vendee” before she would submit to see slavery touched even in the cotton States by unconstitutional legislation or any other.  Mr. Hale, of N. H., continued the debate.

Mr. Wilson, of Iowa, from the House judiciary committee, reported a bill reorganizing the Supreme Court, as an amendment to the Senate bill.  The eighth circuit consists of Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin; the ninth of Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri and Kansas.

Negroes are flocking in from Virginia by the hundreds.  It is estimated that at least one-tenth of the servile population of this section are freed by the retreat of the rebels.  All entertain the notion that their freedom follows the advance of our armies.  One gang of twenty-five arrived this morning.

All who were at Centreville agree that there was only a shadow of an army there.  No heavy guns were ever mounted except wooden ones.  The entrenchments on their flank and rear were feeble.  The railroad to Manassas is of poor construction.  Trees are cut down so as to disclose the plains of Manassas.  Part of the huts were burned; part were standing.  Among the spoils remaining were thousands of hides.  A deserter says that a regular mail from Washington via Alexandria, came twice or thrice weekly.

The House to-day discussed the first and second sections of the tax bill, the question whether any mode of collection through State machinery was practicable.  No vote was taken, but the inclination of the House seemed to favor collection by the United States.

Senator Grimes, of Iowa, made a vigorous and eloquent speech on the resolution giving thanks to Flag Officer Foote.  He was listened to with marked attention, and enforced congratulations from Senators of all shades of opinion.  He gave the Western navy its due – showed by documentary evidence that the credit of the plan of attack on Forts Henry and Donelson belonged to Capt. Foote, and that he would have taken Nashville the week before Buell did; and thus saved valuable stores, if he had been permitted by Gen. Halleck.  Mr. Grimes, enlarged upon the value of a navy to a free people, and incidentally alluded to the Monitor and the Merrimac fight as showing the value of iron-clad vessels, whose construction he (Grimes) had urged since he took his seat in the Senate.  He had also paid a handsome tribute to Lieut. Worden and Capt. Ericson.

The bill organizing the Territory of Arizona attaches the Wilmot Proviso to that and to all other Territories hereafter organized.  Ashley’s Territorial bill was defeated yesterday by the absence of Republicans.  Wilkinson will introduce the same bill from the Senate Territorial Committee, and it will probably come down to the House.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, March 15, 1862, p. 1

XXXVIIth Congress -- First Session

WASHINGTON, March 7.

SENATE. – The special message of the President was read, and referred to the judiciary committee.

Mr. Sumner presented a memorial, signed by many prominent merchants of N. Y., asking that immediate action be taken to provide for the transportation of the mails from N. Y. to Panama.

Mr. Wade moved to take up the bill to provide for the occupation and cultivation of the cotton lands.  The motion was agreed to, yeas 25, nays 11.

Mr. Davis said that some time since the Legislature of Kentucky passed a resolution requesting his predecessor and colleague to resign.  His colleague had not resigned, and fifteen days since the Senator from Minnesota offered a resolution for the expulsion of his colleague.  The Kentucky Legislature is not in session, and they want to know when that question is to be acted upon.  If he is to be expelled, the Legislature do not want to adjourn and allow a disloyal, traitorous governor to appoint any one to take the place of his colleague.

Mr. Trumbull said the committee were doing their best, and would make a report soon.

Mr. Powell said that he was a little surprised at the zeal of his colleague, but would only say that he (Powell) was anxious for an investigation to be had.  The action of the Kentucky Legislature was a matter between himself and that body.  He could make it plain to the Senate, and would do so that his action in the last Senate was entirely in accordance with the will of the people as expressed by the resolution, to-wit: to preserve a strict neutrality in Kentucky.  He (Powell) was perfectly willing to abide by the decision of the people of Ky. at any time.  He only intended to ask the attention of the Senate to a brief statement vindicating himself.

After the committee had reported and all the senators had spoken, Mr. Carlisle said he was sorry to see that the Senators were determined to press this bill.  He did not believe that the government held supreme control over all the lands of the country.  The bill proposes to substitute a government in place of the present masters of slaves, and to make the government one great lordly slaveholder, with a great brood of petty agents.  The provisions of the bill make human treatment of the slaves impossible.  There are also appeals coming here to us from thousands of the white race who have been turned out of their homes, and these appeals have more force for him (Carlisle) than any that could come from the negro.  This bill will take from the treasury immense sums of money, which could be better used in the scheme of colonization.

Mr. Pearce thought the bill impracticable, and a most extraordinary and political blunder.  The money that it would cost the government to provide for these indigent persons would make the treasury more indigent than themselves; when the bill was then passed by yeas [20], nays 14.

NAYS – Messrs. Browning, Carlisle, Cowan, Davis, Henderson, Kennedy, McDougal, Pearce, Powell, Rice, Saulsbury, Thomson, Wilson, of Mo., and Wright – 14.

HOUSE. – Mr. Gurley introduced a bill to secure to pilots, engineers, sailors and crews upon the gunboats and war vessels, their bounties and pensions.

The House then proceeded to the consideration of the bill to authorized the Secretary of the Treasury to purchase coin, and for other purposes.

Mr. Pendleton inquired of Mr. Stevens whether in his (Stevens’) opinion it was necessary to authorize the sale of the five hundred million bonds recently authorized, in order to realize sufficient coin for the payment of the interest, which could not be by next July more than forty million.

Mr. Stevens did not think it necessary, but it was found by the Secretary of the Treasury that these bonds can’t be sold except at a great sacrifice, which he did not choose to make, hence he suggested the passage of the bill, so that the specie section of the recently enacted U. S. note law may not be repudiated.

Mr. Pendleton expressed himself satisfied with the explanation, and would vote for it.  He, however, offered an amendment, which was agreed to, asserting that the demand notes shall be receivable for duties on imports.  With this exception the bill was then passed as originally introduced.

Mr. Harding said that he had noticed in the newspapers, that the chairman of the committee on territories had reported a bill providing for territorial governments in the seceding States, and for their subsequent admission into the Union.  He (Harding) was at a loss to ascertain how this information was obtained.

Mr. Ashley, the chairman of the committee, informed his colleague thereon, that the committee authorized him to report the bill, and under instruction he had moved its printing and recommitment to the committee.

Mr. Harding said that the newspapers also said that the Senate committee on territories had concurred in the provisions of this bill.

Mr. Ashley replied that he was aware that the committee, with the chairman of which he had been in consultation, had not come to any conclusion on the subject.  If the newspapers had made a misstatement, the chairman of neither of these committees were responsible for it.

Mr. Harding said that only four out of nine members of the committee had agreed on this bill, and yet it was out as the report of the majority of the committee.

Mr. Ashley further explained that he gave printed copies to those who asked for them.

The bill to render valid and to authorize the extension of the patent granted to Jno. S Minie, for an improvement in the manufacture of lampblack, was passed by a vote of 73 against 30.

The House then went into committee of the whole on the state of the Union, the bill relating to the franking privilege being finally under consideration.  Mr. Blair proceeded to speak of the military department of the West under Gen. J. C. Fremont.

Mr. Blair said a very great pressure had been brought to bear through the newspapers, to force Gen. Fremont into a command, and to force the Administration against its judgment expressed after deliberation, to employ him in some one of the military departments.  He (Blair) had seen it stated in telegrams that Gen. Fremont had again and again demanded a trial.  This is not true.

Mr. Riddle, of Ohio, asked on what authority the gentleman made the last statement.

Mr. Blair, resuming, said no demand for a trial had been made, unless it has been done within the last two or three days.  Gen. Fremont had not made the demand at all, for he (Blair) had taken pains to satisfy himself of the fact, by inquiring at the office of the Adjutant General and that of the Judge advocate of the army.  It was most extraordinary that an officer of the army charged with the crime of mutiny and misconduct of the war, and deposed from his command in consequence of these charges should not ask a trial.  He ventured the assertion that, if General Fremont will demand a trial, the Administration will grant it.  It had also been heralded that the committee on the conduct of the war had demanded his (Fremont’s) restoration.  He (Blair) undertook to say that such was not the fact.  Blair said there were preliminary symptoms which foreshadowed an announced simultaneous appearance of the statement made by Gen. Fremont, in his defense before the committee and the speech of this aid-de-camp, Shanks, in this House.  The statements of the speech inaugurate a campaign and a new field, and the battle is to be fought with weapons far different than the rude instruments of war – with proclamations which up to this time in Gen. Fremont’s hands had no serious effect.

He (Blair) did not believe that Fremont was authorized to publish his statement which was extraordinary in its character.

Mr. Gooch, member of the committee on the conduct of the war, said that Gen. Fremont having presented a large number of documents, was requested by the committee to prepare a concise statement as to the administration of affairs in his department which Fremont did.  At a subsequent period, Gen. Fremont again appeared before the committee and was questioned.  When he was about to leave the room he was requested not to give information to anybody outside of what he stated to the committee.  He (Gooch) understood Gen. Freemont to acquiesce in this request, as he had in all others made by the committee.  He (Gooch) only wished to add that the publication was made without the knowledge and against the consent of the committee.

Mr. Blair – Was All published?

Mr. Gooch – His (Fremont’s) statement and documents and not the portion in response to the inquiries.

Mr. Blair said Mr. Fremont’s statement was extraordinary as the manner in which it found its way into print.  It was an apology for disaster and defeat, ingeniously suppressing important facts, and suggesting others which never existed.  In this he showed he is a better apologist for defeat than a general to achieve victories.  He then spoke at length of the disasters at Springfield and Lexington, to show that they were attributable to Fremont’s incompetency.

Mr. Blair also examined Fremont’s contract and other transactions.  He spoke for about two hours, the time having by unanimous consent been extended.

Mr. Colfax said while he differed with the administration in which he assisted in superseding Gen. Fremont, he desired to have it understood that no matter whom the administration put up or held down, he would sustain with all his heart and soul, and strength of mind, against the rebels in arms.  He apprehended that it would hereafter appear that the Gent’s (Blair’s) feelings had perverted his judgment.  He knew that all men were fallible.  Gen. Fremont was impulsive and impetuous, and he regretted that Fremont had suffered the publication to which reference was made with the obloquy heaped upon him with his retirement for six months.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, March 8, 1862, p. 1

From Washington

WASHINGTON, March 5.

Lieut. Col. Emery, of the 6^th cavalry, and Cols. [Quinby] and Patrick, of N. Y. have been nominated for Brigadier Generals.

Gen. Lander will be buried from Rev. Dr. Hull’s church, under military escort.  His body guard will be a company of sharpshooters from his native city, Salem, Mass., who have been with him since the fight at Edward’s Ferry.  Half of the pall bearers are to be civilians, Gen. Lander not having cherished special love for the regular army.  The body arrived this morning, attended by a large number of his officers and men.  It has been already embalmed and will be sent to Salem after the funeral.

Philadelphia and New York merchants have petitioned Congress for a resumption of letter and newspaper mail to Panama. – A bill will be introduced soon, restoring the old mail.  At present there will be no mail communication with Central America, the steamship company positively refusing to convey letters or newspapers without the authority of Congress.

The testimony of returned prisoners captured in July, at Falling Water, before the conduct of the war committee, tends to show that with more energy Patterson might have caught Johnston before Bull Run.

The residence of the French minister, M. Mercier, at Georgetown, was burned last night.  Loss $15,000.  The furniture might have been saved by the provost guard, but the Frenchman locked them out, while seeking to extinguish the flames by buckets of water.  All the furniture but a few pieces was thus destroyed.

Col. Jas. H. Spear, of one of the Tennessee regiments organized at Camp Dick Robinson, Ky., was confirmed as Brigadier General to-day.

Andy Johnson, Maynard and Etheridge leave for Nashville to-morrow.  The former is commissioned to form a provisional government.  He will call a State convention which will dispose of Gov. Harris and all his rebel associates in the old State government, and form a new loyal government. – All of these gentlemen hope soon to rejoin their families.

In executive session of the Senate to-day, a resolution was introduced, expressing the sense of the Senate, that no more appointment of Generals should be made, except as reward for gallantry on the field of battle.

Gen. Lander will be buried to-morrow.  The pall bearers are Senators Sumner and Gens. McClellan, Marcy and Williams, and Col. Key, with an escort of artillery, cavalry and infantry.

The Senate amended the military bill to-day so as to repeal the act giving the President power to appoint additional Aids de Camp, thinking 49 enough for Gen. McClellan.  Another bill, recently introduced, giving the president the power to appoint Assistant Adjutant Generals ad libitum will hardly pass.

The bill fixing naval salaries, reported by Senator Sherman was not introduced with the approbation of the committee, but merely to get it before the Senate, the understanding being that it shall not be taken up till the pay of Congress and the army has been reduced.

The House and Senate amendment to the appropriation bill giving but two mileages to members.

The order under our treaty with New Granada which the joint committee sitting here has extended six months, is designed to give a hundred claims pending on the 10^th of May which would otherwise cease, another chance to be passed upon.

Gen. Blenker has been three times before the military committee.  There are some discrepancies between his testimony there and before Van Wyck’s committee.  His case, with other doubtful ones, will be passed on to-morrow by the Senate, which will have a long executive session.

Mr. Browning has the floor on the confiscation bill.  A speech betwixt and between is expected.

Gen. Andy Johnson and Representatives Maynard and Ethridge leave for Tennessee to-morrow.  Gen. Johnson, immediately upon his arrival at Nashville, will call upon the loyal people of the State to elect delegates to a convention to be charged with the duty of declaring vacant the places of Gov. Harris, and his rebel associates, and electing new officers, and sitting a loyal State Government on its feet.

Gen. Spear, of Tennessee was confirmed Brigadier General to-day.

The post Master General complained to-day by letter to the post office committees of both Houses, of the refusal of Com. Vanderbilt to carry the South American mails, and some Northern Railroads to contract to carry the mails.  He recommends that legislation be adopted to relieve the Government from the dictation of railroad and steamboat proprietors.

Special to Post.

A tax upon cotton will be agreed to in the House as an amendment to the tax bill, when that measure comes up for consideration.  The bill is not yet printed.

The finance committee of the Senate has struck out the House appropriation of fifteen million dollars for the construction of gunboats, but the naval committee is urging its restoration.

Senator Johnson leaves Washington to-day for Tennessee.  He has not yet accepted his appointment as Brigadier General.

Information has reached the navy department of the capture of the schooner Lizzie Weston, with a large cargo of 290 bales of cotton, by the gunboat Itasca.  The captured vessel sailed from Apalachicola, Fla., for Havana and a market.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, March 7, 1862, p. 1

From Washington

WASHINGTON, Feb. 25.

The Navy Department to-day received the following:

CAIRO, February 24.

To Hon. Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy:

Lieutenant Commanding Gwynn, with the gunboat Tyler, has just arrived from Tennessee, Mississippi, and Alabama, and reports the Union sentiment in south Tennessee and North Alabama to be very strong.  I shall send him back to-day, and he will call for a regiment at Fort Henry to accompany the gunboat, which will aid the loyal people of those States to raise Union forces within their borders.

Signed,

A. H. FOOTE,

Flag-Officer Commanding.

The President has approved the fortification bill.  It is therefore a law.

Both Houses yesterday agreed to the report of the committee of conference on the Treasury note bill.  It retains the provision that notes to be redeemable in five years, or payable in 20 years, at the pleasure of the government.  It also makes duties on imports payable in coin and pledges it to the payment of interest on the notes and bonds.  It strikes out the pledges of public lands.

The communication of the Russian government on the subject of the Trent affair, was communicated to the Senate to-day.  It was characterized by the strongest feelings of friendship for the United States.

Special to Tribune.

Several days have passed since a gun has been fired from the rebel batteries on the Lower Potomac, although numerous vessels have sailed by them.  Although the rebel cannon seem to be in their places, it is doubted whethe[r] they be not blackened logs, and whether the gunners have not left the banks of the Potomac.

Two Whitworth guns reached Gen. Hooker’s division yesterday, and will be used to ascertain the truth of the case.

World’s Dispatch.

The indications in the Senate to-day are clearly in favor of the immediate passage of Senator Trumbull’s confiscation bill, with an amendment forfeiting all slaves of rebels.  Senator Powell will deliver a speech to-morrow against the bill, and take occasion to explain his present position as a Senator, it being intimated that his views are inconsistent with his holding his seat at the present time.

The House judiciary committee are nearly agreed on confiscation, but may possibly await the action of the Senate.

The tremendous gale, that commenced so furiously on Monday, has dried up the mud, and prepared a solid ground for our soldiers to march over.  Already a wonderful change has taken place, and the soldiers are becoming confident that they are to move at last.

Times’ Dispatch.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 25.

Gen. McClellan received a dispatch, an hour since, from the west, confirming the report that Nashville, Tenn., is taken by Gen. Buell’s army, and stating that the rebels have fallen back to Murphysville, about 30 miles south of Nashville.

The judgment of the Court Martial in the case of Col. Jas. Kerrigan, has been approved by Maj. Gen. McClellan, and a general order issued, carrying it into effect. – The court did not find Kerrigan guilty of treason, but of inefficiency and conduct unbecoming an officer of his military duty, and manifested in the disorganized and disgraceful condition of his regiment.  Kerrigan was adjudged to be dismissed from the service.

Much excitement has been occasioned by the discovery that the bill introduced by Mr. Wade, from the conduct of the war committee, and passed some time since, authorizing the President to take possession of railroads, also authorized him to extend railroads by construction.  It appears, that since the passage of this bill, a contract has been made by the War Department to build a railroad, 180 miles long, from Lebanon, Ky., to Knoxville, Tenn.  To-day the House repealed that portion of the bill almost unanimously, and there is talk of a motion to discharge the conduct of the war committee from further action.

It is understood that a resolution has been adopted in executive session of the Senate, calling for information relative to the alleged improper acts of Gen. Blenker.

Gen. Sturgis’ confirmation is hung up by the Senate.

The forces on the Potomac will not be paid until the paymasters are through with those battling for the Union in the West and on the seaboard.

Gen. Fremont was not at Saturday’s ceremony in the House, because the invitation did not rich him till yesterday.

Col. Lee, from Richmond, brought to this Government a communication from Howell Cobb, relating ostensibly to an exchange of prisoners, but probably to other matters, also.

Mr. Trumbull’s speech on the confiscation bill to-day, was very strong, and had a marked effect; taking the ground, among other things that the rebels, and not the loyal men, ought to pay the expenses of this war.  The bill will have a decided majority in the Senate.

News from Leavenworth has rendered tolerably certain Gen. Lane’s return to the Senate.

The Mexican treaty resolutions, &c., were defeated in executive session of the Senate.  Ayes 8, nays 28.  This carries the rejection of Gen. Scott as additional minister to Mexico.

Mr. Blair’s bill, from the House military committee, for an engineer brigade, is believed to have connection with the Danville and Knoxville Railroad, and also with the recent appointment of Amasa Stone, the great railroad contractor of Cleveland, as Brigadier General.

WASHIGNTON, Feb. 26.

Pre President has approved the United States note law, and it is therefore a law.

Special to Post.

WASHIGTON, Feb. 26.

New mail routes are to be speedily opened in Tennessee and Kentucky.

The senate bill authorizing the Secretary of the Treasury to issue certificates of indebtedness to government creditors whose accounts have been audited, will probably pass the House.

The following notice to the public has just been published:

WASHINGTON, Feb. 24.

The undersigned, on behalf of the commissioners appointed by the President to represent the interests of such American citizens as might desire to appear at the Exhibition of the Industry of all Nations, to be held in the city of London during the present year, submit the following statements:

The Congress of the United States, after due consideration, has declined to adopt any measures to further a national representation of our works of industry, invention and art, at the aforementioned exhibition.  The authority of the Commissioners has, therefore occurred.  They have advised the Commissioners appointed by the British Government that there will be no general participation on the part of the people of this country on the occasion; but they have thought it not improper, at the same time, to recommend to the consideration of the royal commissioners such works of industry and art as have received the authentication of the commission and may to a limited extent be presented for exhibition through individual exertions.

Signed,

WM. H. SEWARD.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, February 27, 1862, p. 1

From Washington

WASHINGTON, Feb. 18.

A very large number of army and volunteer appointments were confirmed, including captains, lieutenants, adjutants, surgeons, assistant surgeons, etc.

The promotion of Gen. Grant to the Major-Generalship gives him a superior command to Brig.-Gen. Buell in the same department.

The Secretary of State says he sees indications of satisfactory reaction in favor of the United States in Great Britain as well as on the continent.

World’s Correspondence.

The recent news from Europe, touching the determination of the allied powers to put Hapsburg as ruler over Mexico, and thus create a monarchy on our borders, is exciting profound emotion here.  The fact that some such [scheme] was on the tapis [sic], has been in possession of the department for some time past, and it will be found that dispatches have already been sent to our ministers at London, Paris, and Madrid, protesting energetically against any such project.

Tribune’s Correspondence.

The Navy Department will issue proposals to-morrow, for the building of a number of steam men-of-war of various kinds.  The department will withhold, for the present, the proposals for iron clad steamers.  The construction of gunboats will be urgently pressed.

(World’s Dispatch.)

Among other things presented to the House yesterday was the memorial of the American Geographical and Statistical Society, asking the intercession of Congress in reference to the ship canal connecting the river St. Lawrence and all the great lakes on the northern boundary with the Atlantic Ocean in the bay of New York, in any future adjustment of the commercial relations between the U. S. and Great Britain.

Tribune’s Dispatch.

In well informed circles here it is positively asserted that Gen. Fremont has completely vindicated himself of all charges brought against his conduct of the war in Missouri, by the vote of the joint committee of investigation.  A highly important command is indicated for him in the far west.

Herald’s Dispatch.

A disposition has been manifested in the Senate to pass over most of the nominations for Brigadier Generals for the present, and let the nominees win their stars by gallantry and efficiency on the field before they are confirmed.  A broad line of distinction has been drawn in the Senate between officers who lounge about the hotels or dawdle in drawing rooms, and those who devote their attention to the improvement of the efficiency of their commands or in active duties in the field.  Whenever their comes up the nomination of any one against whom or in whose favor there is nothing particular to be said, by common consent it is passed over to await the future conduct of the candidate, and let him prove his merits by his deeds.

WASHINTON, Feb. 19.

Col. Garfield, now in Eastern Ky., has been nominated a Brigadier General.

Secretary Stanton has prepared from official reports full lists of all privates who have distinguished themselves, that they may be promoted.

It is rumored that Stephens has resigned the rebel Vice Presidency.

Gen. Bishop Polk is said to have recently written letters advising emancipation as the last resort of the South.

On Trumbull’s motion, Gen. Grant has just been unanimously confirmed as Major General.

This morning’s Republican says that the private soldier who told of Gen. Stone’s communicating with the rebels on one occasion, was a few nights since furiously attacked by a midnight assassin, who had burglariously entered his room.  The assassin was obliged to yield to a superior force.

The Capitol will be illuminated on Saturday from basement to dome.

A bill will to-morrow be introduced into the Senate, repealing the black code of the district, whether embraced in the Maryland laws, or city ordinances, and putting the blacks on the same footing with whites as regards trial, punishment, and giving of testimony.  It will be accompanied by a thorough analysis of the infamous code.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 20.

Numerous applications continue to be made for permission to trade at the several captured points on the Southern coast. – None of them have been granted.

Information has been received here that the iron clad gunboat, on the Ericson plan, is thus far satisfactory to the official inspector.  A trial trip to Fort Monroe is contemplated.

The President’s son, William, aged eleven years, is so sunk as to preclude the possibility of recovery.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 20.

A dispatch boat from Gen. Burnside has just arrived at Baltimore.  The official report of Gen. Burnside is now in its way to Washington.  The Federal losses at the battle of Roanoke Island were 50 killed and 222 wounded.  The rebel loss was 13 killed and 39 wounded.  The enemy were protected by entrenchments, and poured a destructive fire upon or advance column, so that our loss is the heaviest.

NEW YORK, February 20.

Specials state that Senators Wade and Andrew Johnson had an interview with Gen. McClellan yesterday, and urged the necessity of action with the army of the Potomac, as well as in the West.

The Senate will take up the Mexican treaty in executive session.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, February 21, 1862, p. 1

Gen. Fremont Exculpated by the War Committee --- Secretary Stanton Promises to Reinstate Him

From the Wash. Cor. of the Philadelphia Inquirer.

The President and a number of the cabinet are favorable to giving Fremont another command, but it is opposed by the anti-Fremonters.

The Committee on the Conduct of the War express themselves satisfied with his course, part of his original plan having been to go up the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers, seize the railroads, and then take Memphis, and open the cotton ports, instead of carrying on a filibustering war around the Missouri swamps and Arkansas wilds; first having left St. Louis so that it could be defended against all odds by a small force.

The committee called on Secretary Stanton and asked the reinstatement in command at once of Fremont, and informed him that his war record was clear.  Ben. Wade wanted him to have command of the whole army of the Potomac.  Secretary Stanton pledged his word that he should be placed where he could fight for his country.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, February 17, 1862, p. 2

From Washington

Tribune Correspondence.

NEW YORK, Feb. 14.

The committee on the conduct of the war, to-day, in examining the case of Gen. Stone, discovered new facts, which divide the responsibility of the blunder at Ball’s Bluff between Gen. Stone and another General.

Previous to the discharge of Wikoff, the committee on the judiciary examined Gen. Sickles, whose frequent visits to the incarcerated Wikoff and his journeys from the cell to the residents of ex-Lieut. Watt at the other end of the avenue, had excited suspicion.  Sickles claimed to be Wikoff’s counsel, and to have acted throughout in that capacity.  The committee put some home questions to him, he replied sharply, and for a few minutes a war of words raged.  While his examination was pending, the Sergeant-at-Arms appeared with Watt.  He testified that he saw the message in the library, and being of a literary turn of mind perused it; that, however, he did not make a copy, but having a tenacious memory, carried portions of it in his mind, and the next day reported them word for word to Wikoff.  That personage had previously testified that the passage transmitted to the Herald was given him by Watt orally.

WASHINGTON, February 14.

Hamilton Fish and Bishop Ames returned to Washington to-day and made a report to the Government of their mission to relieve Union prisoners in the south.

They repaired to Fortress Monroe, and made known their commission to the Confederate authorities at Norfolk, by whom the matter was referred to Richmond.  A reply came, refusing the commissioners admission to the Confederate Territory, but expressing readiness to negotiate for the general exchange of prisoners.  Our commissioners opened negotiations which resulted in perfect success.  An equal exchange was agreed on, but the confederates had 300 more prisoners than we.  With commendable magnanimity, they proposed to release those also, on condition that our Government would agree to release 300 of their men that they may next fall into its hands.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 15.

Mrs. Senator Chandler has received a letter from Col. Wilcox, who says that himself and other prisoners at Columbia, S. C. are in good health and that their condition has been rendered comfortable by the clothing received from the United States authorities.

The Oregon Democrat and the Los Angeles and California Star have been suppressed from the mails, on the ground that they have been used for the purpose of overthrowing the Government and giving aid and comfort to the enemy now at war with the United States.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, February 17, 1862, p. 1

New York, April 15, [1862]

Specials state that Western dispatches received at Washington report that Fort Randolph is being strongly fortified by the rebels.

The Committee on the Conduct of the War are about to investigate the cause of the late surprise at Pittsburg Landing.

Several civilians have been captured by the rebels while curiosity hunting around Manassas.

– Published in The Gate City, Keokuk, Iowa, Wednesday, April 16, 1862

Gen. Stone

The telegraph has already given us reasons for the arrest of Gen. Stone, which are probably the correct ones. Of his guilt, there seems to be abundant evidence. A gentleman residing in this county has received a letter from his son, who is a soldier in Gen. Stone’s brigade, in which he says that the officer was frequently seen to pass through the lines of our army toward the rebel camp after nightfall, with a bundle of papers under his arm. No doubt evidence of this kind has been presented to the committee on the management of the war, which they have laid before the War Department, with the effect to send him to Fort Lafayette.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, April 14, 1862, p. 2

FIRST SESSION - 37TH CONGRESS

WASHINGTON, April 30. – HOUSE. – Mr. ELLIOTT submitted two bills, one to confiscate rebel property and to provide for the payment of the expenses of the present rebellion and the other to provide for freeing the slaves of all rebels who have taken up arms against the Government. Referred to the Select Committee.

Mr. WICKLIFFE asked leave to introduce a resolution of inquiry to ascertain by what authority Gen. Hunter hand issued an order to emancipate slaves in the manner expressed by Messrs. Hutchins, Lovejoy and others.

Objection was made to the introduction of the resolution.

The resolution from the Committee on Government contracts was taken up.

Mr. STEVENS moved to lay them on the table, which was rejected. Yeas, 17, Nays 107.

The following resolution was received.

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Treasury be requested to adjust the claim against the Government for the 5000 Hall carbines, purchased through Simon Stevens, by Gen. John C. Fremont, on August 6th, 1861, and afterwards delivered at the U. S. arsenal at the city of St. Louis, on the basis of a sale of such arms to the Government for $12.50 each, and rejecting all other demands against the Government on account of the purchase of said arms.

An unsuccessful effort was made to amend the resolution by making it read:

Purchased for Simon Stevens.

Mr. FENTON moved to amend the resolution by adding “providing that nothing herein contained shall be so construed as to exonerate the Government from the payment of any claims arising for the advances made in good faith, on certification by the authorized officers of the Government.” This was rejected 53 to 71.

The resolution as originally reported was adopted by 123 to 28.

The House adopted a resolution censuring Mr. Cameron by a vote of 76 to 45.

A resolution censuring Mr. Welles, Secretary of the Navy, was rejected 45 to 72.

The House then went into Committee of the Whole on the Pacific Railroad bill. Not much progress was made on it. Adjourned.


SENATE. – Mr. HARRIS presented a memorial from the Chamber of Commerce of New York, on the system of taxation.

Mr. WADE from the Committee on the Conduct of the War, made a report in relation to the barbarous treatment of our soldiers at Manassas. The report was ordered to be printed.

On motion of Mr. WADE the homestead bill was taken up.

Mr. Carlisle offered a substitute for the bill, which was postponed until to-morrow.

Mr. NESMITH introduced a bill to amend the act of 1851 for a military hospital for invalid soldiers.

Mr. POWELL’s resolution calling on the Secretary of State for information concerning the arrest of persons in the state of Kentucky was taken up.

Mr. POWELL said that he had been much annoyed at the opposition to this resolution. The substitute offered by the Senator from Massachusetts (Sumner) was merely an attempt to avoid giving the information asked for.

After some debate the morning hour expired. The Confiscation bill was taken up. Messrs. WILMOT and RIGHT spoke in its favor, and Mr. McDOUGAL against it.


WASINGTON, May, 1. – HOUSE. – Mr. BLAIR of Missouri, called up the bill recently reported form the Military Committee, authorizing the appointment of a Board on Fortifications, to provide for the coast and other defences, of the United States, and for other purposes, and abstract of which was published on the 24th of April.

Mr. BLAIR explained the provisions of the bill, and in response to a question, said it surrendered the appropriations already made. It also provides that the money shall be expended upon such works or defences, as shall be named by the commission, proposed to be created by the bill. The consideration of the bill was postponed until Tuesday.

Mr. LOVEJOY from the Committee on Territories, reported a bill to render Freedom national and slavery sectional.

The house then went into committee of the Whole on the Pacific Railroad bill.

The time was occupied in the explanation of numerous amendments, when the Committee rose without coming to any consideration of the bill. Adjourned.


SENATE. – Mr. HOWARD presented petitions in favor of a general bankrupt law.

Mr. WRIGHT, also, presented petitions for a bankrupt act, and said that more of them are coming from Indiana.

Mr. WILSON, of Massachusetts, offered a resolution, that the Secretary of War, be requested to report whether one Frederick Emory, who murdered Wm. Phillips in Leavenworth, Kansas in 1855 or 1856, had been appointed to any place in the Department of Kansas.

Mr. LANE, of Kansas, said the Government had before it to-day, the Kansas difficult, and he presumed it would correct the evil. The resolution was laid over.

The Confiscation bill was taken up.

Mr. WILSON, of Massachusetts, offered, as an amendment to the sixth section of Mr. Collamer’s substitute, authorizing the President to make a proclamation and free the laves of those who continue in the rebellion for 30 days.

Messrs. WILSON and MORRILL spoke in favor of the bill.

Mr. DAVIS offered a resolution, declaring that the war now carried on by the United States, shall be vigorously prosecuted and continued to compel obedience to the Constitution and laws, within the limits of every territory, by all the citizens and residents thereof, and for no further end whatever.

On motion of Mr. SUMNER, the resolution was laid over.

On motion of Mr. WILSON, of Massachusetts the resolution asking the Military Committee to enquire whether any further legislation was necessary to prevent soldiers and officers from returning fugitive slaves was taken up.

Mr. SUMNER said he was glad the Senator from the State of Iowa, in his speech, had called attention to some officers concerning their treatment of fugitives. One General who lately made an order returning fugitives was a native of Massachusetts, and he (Sumner) used his influence to get him appointed. If he had known that Gen. Hooker would have made such an order, he never would have tried to get him an appointment. When a General falls in battle there is honor in it, and we regret his death, but when a General falls as Gen. Hooker has fallen, there can be nothing but regret. He rose to call attention to the order of Col. Doubleday, and contrasted it with that of Gen. Hooker, saying that he (Doubleday) was an honor to his country.

Mr. SUMNER then referred to Gen. McCook at the West, and also to the conduct of the Provost Marshal at Louisville, as being disgraceful to the army. Mr. S. also read and account of how blacks were oppressed at Louisville.

Mr. DAVIS asked Mr. Sumner where he got his account.

Mr. SUMNER said from the newspapers in New York.

Mr. DAVIS had no doubt of the falsity of the account.

Mr. WILSON of Massachusetts said that he had abundant evidence of the disgraceful treatment of fugitive slaves by portions of the army.

Mr. SUMNER also referred to the return of fugitive slaves from the camps of General Buell, and to the order of Gen. Halleck excluding all fugitives from his lines. Sumner said the order was unconstitutional, absurd and deficient in common sense, an outrage upon common humanity and unworthy of a soldier. Such an order would exclude all the valuable information received from fugitives such as for instance the capture of New Orleans and the evacuation of Fredericksburgh.

Mr. SAULSBURY offered as an amendment to the resolution the following: And also to enquire what further legislation is necessary to prevent the illegal capture and imprisonment of free white citizens of the United States.

Mr. SAULSBURY referred to the number of persons taken from the States of Delaware and Maryland. They had been seized by military authorities and dragged away to forts and prisons, after being kept a week or two were discharged because no fault could be found with them.

These men belonged to a class who are deemed to be of no account, and whose interest do not appear to be cared for, for they are unfortunately are free white persons. The men who had committed no offense were reserved in violation of every law and every night. If the wrongs of the negro are to be redressed he could only ask that the same justice might be meted out to white men. He also asked nothing further. Men who were disloyal to the Government, he would have punished to the full extent of the law.

The Senate [then] went into Executive Session, after which it adjourned.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 3, 1862, p. 3

Rebel Outrages on the dead

WASHINGTON, April 30. – The Joint Committee on the Conduct of the War made a lengthy report regarding the treatment by the rebels at Manassas of the remains of Federal officers and soldiers killed there. They say the facts disclosed are of painful, repulsive and shocking character – that the rebels have crowned this rebellion by the perpetration of deeds unknown even to savage warfare. Investigations have established this beyond controversy. The witnesses called before us were men of undoubted veracity and character; some of them occupy high positions in the army, and some of them high positions in civil life. Differing in political sentiments, this evidence proves a remarkable concurrence of opinion and judgment of our own people and foreign nations, and must with one accord, however they have differed heretofore, consign to lasting odium of the authors of crimes which, in their details, exceed the worst excesses of the Sepoys in India. The outrages on the dead will revive the recollections of the cruelties to which savage tribes subject their prisoners. They were buried, in many cases with their faces downward – they were left to decay in the open air, their bones being carried off as trophies, sometimes, as the testimony proves, to be used as personal ornaments; and one witness deliberately avows that the head of one of our most gallant officers was cut off by a Secessionist to be used as a drinking cup on the occasion of his marriage.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 3, 1862, p. 3