Major-General George G. Meade to Margaretta Sergeant Mead, March 6, 1864

Headquarters Army Of The Potomac, March 6, 1864.

I returned from Washington to-day. I went there Friday morning on business connected with the reorganization of the army. The night before I left I saw Mr. Wilkeson's attack on me in the Senate and Reverdy Johnston's reply and defense. When I reached Washington I was greatly surprised to find the whole town talking of certain grave charges of Generals Sickles and Doubleday, that had been made against me in their testimony before the Committee on the Conduct of the War. On Saturday I was summoned before the committee. I found there only Mr. Wade, of Ohio. He was very civil, denied there were any charges against me, but said the committee was making up a sort of history of the war and was now taking evidence to enable it to give an account of the battle of Gettysburg, and my administration since commanding the army. I then occupied about three hours giving a succinct narrative of events. Subsequently Mr. Stanton told me (this is strictly confidential), that there was and had been much pressure from a certain party to get Hooker back in command, and that thinking, through Sickles and others, they might get me out (a preliminary step) they had gotten up this halloobaloo in the Committee on the Conduct of the War; but that I need not worry myself, there was no chance of their succeeding. The only evil that will result is the spreading over the country certain mysterious whisperings of dreadful deficiencies on my part, the truth concerning which will never reach the thousandth part of those who hear the lies. I suppose and fear you will be worried about them, but I beg you to be calm and quiet, and rest satisfied that I will come out all right in the end.

I saw nobody in Washington, except people about the Government, except Mr. Howard, of Michigan, whom I went to see and to whom I explained the absurd charge of Sickles, that I had ordered a retreat at Gettysburg, and that that battle was fought in spite of all my efforts to prevent it.

It is a melancholy state of affairs, however, when persons like Sickles and Doubleday can, by distorting and twisting facts, and giving a false coloring, induce the press and public for a time, and almost immediately, to take away the character of a man who up to that time had stood high in their estimation. However, I suppose we cannot change human nature; we must be patient, await the period when the truth will slowly and surely make itself be known.

You have doubtless seen that Kilpatrick's raid was an utter failure. I did not expect much from it. Poor Dahlgren I am sorry for.

SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George Gordon Meade, Vol. 2, p. 169-70

Brigadier-General Thomas Kilby Smith to Elizabeth Budd Smith, January 25, 1865

Washington, D. C, January 25, 1865.

You will doubtless be surprised at the heading of this note. On the 17th inst. I received from the Secretary of War a telegram ordering me to repair without delay to the Adjutant-General of the United States. The same day General Thomas ordered a steamboat to transport me to Paducah, from thence I came hither almost on the wings of the wind, staying neither for fog, flood, nor mountain pass, though I was befogged near Louisville, and snowed up one night in the Alleghenies. Still, considering the distance, I made marvellously good time, and arrived here last night. I discover that I have been summoned to appear before the Committee on the Conduct of the War (of Congress), probably to testify in reference to the Red River expedition.

I shall know to-morrow. My stay here will be only temporary, and I shall probably from here be ordered back to Eastport or wherever my command is. You may think it strange that I could not stop for at least a day, but I dared not. I had been pretty well up to the time I was ordered here, but that very day my old complaint came back upon me with great violence and lasted every day of my journey, and I feared to make a halt lest I should be detained as I was before. To-day I am a good deal better. I have not heard one word from home since the letters that reached me at Nashville.

SOURCE: Walter George Smith, Life and letters of Thomas Kilby Smith, p. 379

Major General George G. Meade to Margaretta Sergeant Meade, April 9, 1863

FALMOUTH, VA., April 9, 1863.

I have omitted writing for a day or two, as I have been very much occupied in the ceremonies incidental to the President's visit. I think my last letter told you he arrived here on Sunday, in the midst of a violent snow storm. He was to have had a cavalry review on that day, but the weather prevented it. The next day, Monday, the cavalry review came off; but notwithstanding the large number of men on parade, the weather, which was cloudy and raw, and the ground, which was very muddy, detracted from the effect greatly. Orders were given for an infantry review the next day (Tuesday). I was invited on this day (Monday) to dine with General Hooker, to meet the President and Mrs. Lincoln. We had a very handsome and pleasant dinner. The President and Mrs. Lincoln, Mr. Bates, Secretary of the Interior, a Dr. Henry, of Colorado, who accompanied the President, Mrs. Stoneman, wife of Major General Stoneman, besides the corps commanders, constituted the party. The next day, owing to the ground not being in condition, the infantry review was postponed; but the President did me the honor to visit my camps and inspect them, and I believe (leaving out the fatigue) passed a very pleasant day. Yesterday (Wednesday) we had the grand infantry review, there being out four corps, or over sixty thousand men. The review passed off very well indeed. The day, during the early part of it, was not favorable, being cloudy and raw, but after noon the sun came out and rendered everything more cheerful. Mrs. Carroll and Mrs. Griffin and the two Misses Carroll, together with two other young ladies, having come down to General Griffin's, I was invited to meet them at dinner, which I did yesterday evening, and had a very pleasant time. So you see we are trying to smooth a little the horrors of war. I saw George¹ the day of the cavalry review. He told me he was to have a leave that day, so that he will undoubtedly be there when this reaches you.

The day I dined with Hooker, he told me, in the presence of Mr. Bates, Secretary of the Interior, that he (Hooker) had told the President that the vacant brigadiership in the regular army lay between Sedgwick and myself. I replied that I had no pretensions to it, and that if I were the President I would leave it open till after the next battle. The next day, when riding through the camp, Hooker said the President had told him he intended to leave this position open till after the next fight.

You have seen the report of the Committee on the Conduct of the War. It is terribly severe upon Franklin. Still, I took occasion when I had a chance to say a good word for Franklin to the President, who seemed very ready to hear anything in his behalf, and said promptly that he always liked Franklin and believed him to be a true man. The President looks careworn and exhausted. It is said he has been brought here for relaxation and amusement, and that his health is seriously threatened. He expresses himself greatly pleased with all he has seen, and his friends say he has improved already.

__________

¹ Son of General Meade.

SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George Gordon Meade, Vol. 1, p. 363-4

Major General George G. Meade to Margaretta Sergeant Meade, March 17, 1863

CAMP NEAR FALMOUTH, VA., March 17, 1863.

I returned to-day from Washington. I went up day before yesterday, the 15th, arriving in Washington about 7 P. M. I went to Willard's, where, as usual, I saw a great many people. Finding Burnside was in the house, I sent up my name and was ushered into his room, where I found himself and Mrs. Burnside, the latter a very quiet, lady-like and exceedingly nice personage, quite pretty and rather younger than I expected to see. Burnside was very glad to see me, and we had a long talk. Among other things he read me a correspondence he had had with Franklin. Franklin had called his attention to the letter which appeared in the Times, said this was known to be written by Raymond, the editor, and it was generally believed his information was derived either from Burnside himself or some of his staff. Hence this letter was considered authority, and as it did him, Franklin, great injustice, he appealed to his, Burnside's, magnanimity to correct the errors and give publicity to his correction. Burnside replied that he had not read the article till Franklin called his attention to it; that he was not responsible for it, nor was he aware that any of his staff had had any part in its production. Still, he was bound to say that in its facts it was true; that as to the inferences drawn from these facts, he had nothing to say about them and must refer him to Raymond, the reputed author. Several letters had passed, Franklin trying to get Burnside to (as he, Burnside, expressed it) whitewash him. This Burnside said he was not going to do; that Franklin must stand on his own merits and the facts of the case; that he had never made any accusation against him, except to say that the crossing of the river, being against his, Franklin's, judgment, he thought Franklin had been wanting in a zealous and hearty co-operation with his plans. That about the time my attack failed, hearing from one of his, Burnside's, staff officers, just from the field, that Franklin was not attacking with the force and vigor he ought to, he immediately despatched him an order "directing him to attack with his whole force if necessary," which order he assumed the responsibility of not executing, and he must now take the consequences, if blame was attached to him for it.

The next morning I went up to the Capitol, to the committee room, and found only the clerk present. He said the committee had been awaiting me some days; that Senators Chandler and Wade were the only two members present, and now down town; that he would hunt them up, and have them at the room by three o'clock, if I would return at that hour. At three I again presented myself to the committee, and found old Ben Wade, Senator from Ohio, awaiting me. He said the committee wished to examine me in regard to my attack at Fredericksburg. I told him I presumed such was the object in summoning me, and with this in view I had brought my official report, which I would read to him, and if he wanted any more information, I was prepared to give it. After hearing my report, he said it covered the whole ground, and he would only ask me one or two questions. First, was I aware that General Burnside, about the time of my attack, had ordered General Franklin to attack with his whole force? I answered, "At the time of the battle, No; indeed, I only learned this fact yesterday evening, from General Burnside himself." Secondly, what, in my judgment, as a military man, would have been the effect if General Franklin had, when my attack was successful, advanced his whole line? I said I believed such a movement would have resulted in the driving back of the enemy's right wing; though it would, without doubt, have produced a desperate and hard-contested fight; but when I reflected on the success that attended my attack, which was made with less than ten thousand men (supports and all), I could not resist the belief that the attack of fifty thousand men would have been followed by success. This was all he asked, and except the last question, the answer to which was a mere matter of opinion, I don't think any one can take exception to my testimony. My conversations with Burnside and Wade satisfied me that Franklin was to be made responsible for the failure at Fredericksburg, and the committee is seeking all the testimony they can procure to substantiate this theory of theirs. Now, Franklin has, first, his orders, as received from Burnside, and then the fact that the execution of these orders was entrusted to Reynolds, for his defense. Before the committee, of course, he will not be heard, but after their report comes out, it will be incumbent on him to notice their statements and demand an investigation. I feel very sorry for Franklin, because I like him, and because he has always been consistently friendly to me.

After returning from the Capitol, I dined with General and Mrs. Burnside and Parke. Parke said he was about being left off the list of major generals, when Burnside's opportune arrival saved him, Halleck giving as a reason that he had exercised no command since his appointment. Burnside, however, had his name sent in, and now he is going to supersede Baldy Smith and take command of the Ninth Corps, which is to accompany Burnside in his new command, to which he, Burnside, expects to be ordered in a few days.

The best piece of news I learned when in Washington was that the President was about issuing his proclamation putting in force the conscription law, and ordering immediately a draft of five hundred thousand men. Only let him do this, and enforce it and get the men, and the North is bound to carry the day.

I sometimes feel very nervous about my position, they are knocking over generals at such a rate. Among others, Wright, who was my beau ideal of a soldier, and whom I had picked out as the most rising man, has had his major-generalcy and his command both taken away from him, because he could not satisfy the extremists of Ohio (anti-slavery) and those of Kentucky (pro-slavery), but tried by a moderate course to steer between them.

Did I tell you the old Reserves had subscribed fifteen hundred dollars to present me with a sword, sash, belt, etc.? It is expected they will be ready about the close of the month, when I am to go, if possible, to their camp near Washington to receive them.

SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George Gordon Meade, Vol. 1, p. 358-61

Major General George G. Meade to John Sergeant Mead, March 15, 1863

CAMP NEAR FALMOUTH, VA., March 15, 1863.

I am obliged to go up to Washington to-day, to appear before the “Committee on the Conduct of the War.” I have no idea what they want me for, but presume it is in relation to the Fredericksburg battle, and that my being called is due to the testimony of General Burnside, who has perhaps referred to me in his statement. I am very sorry I have been called, because my relations and feelings towards all parties are and have been of the most friendly character, and I shall be sorry to become involved in any way in the controversies growing out of this affair.

I have only seen George¹ once since my return; the weather and roads have been so bad that neither of us could get to the camp of the other. The regiment has been very highly complimented by General Stoneman. One squadron has been armed with carbines, and it is expected that in a short time the whole regiment will be thus equipped and the turkey-driving implement² abandoned.

I am completely fuddled about politics, and am afraid the people are very much demoralized. I trust one thing or another will be done. Either carry on the war as it ought to be, with overwhelming means, both material and personal, or else give it up altogether. I am tired of half-way measures and efforts, and of the indecisive character of operations up to this time. I don't know whether these sentiments will be considered disloyal, but they are certainly mine; with the understanding, however, that I am in favor of the first, namely, a vigorous prosecution of the war with all the means in our power.

__________

¹ Son of General Meade.

² Lance carried by some cavalry regiments.

SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George Gordon Meade, Vol. 1, p. 357-8

Major General George G. Meade to Margaretta Sergeant Meade, January 13, 1863

CAMP NEAR FALMOUTH, VA., January 13, 1863.

Now that I am back I can hardly realize that I spent day before yesterday with you and the dear children. I had a very comfortable journey to Washington, sleeping nearly all the way. I reached Willards about 7 A. M., breakfasted and walked up to the Bureau to see Woodruff. At 11 presented myself to the court, where I was put on the stand and badgered till 3.30 P. M., the court trying to make me condemn McDowell's tactics and strategy. After court, walked down the street with Markoe Bache to see Margaret,¹ returned to the hotel and dined at 6 P. M., loafed for an hour or two around the hotel, and at 9 P. M., left in a special steamer for Acquia Creek, reaching my tent and bed at 3 A. M., this morning. I met at Willards, Burnside's Aide, who told me he thought I might venture to remain another day, but as I really had finished all I had to do in Washington, and there was nothing to detain me, I determined to come back. To-day I have been employed seeing Hooker and Burnside, the latter of whom insisted on my dining with him, and was very complimentary on my promptitude in returning, saying he believed I was the only officer in his command that had come back when he was told to do so, and had not overstayed his leave. I could not get any definite information about our movements, though everything looks as if we were going some day to move.

I was treated with great distinction in Washington, and Aleck. Coxe was greatly delighted with the number of inquiries as to who I was, and the very general knowledge of my name, but not of my person. He overheard two gentlemen talking, one of whom said, "What major general is that," to which the other replied, "Meade." "Who is he," said the first, "I never saw him before." "No, that is very likely, for he is one of our fighting generals, is always on the field, and does not spend his time in Washington hotels." I saw of course a good many people, principally army officers.

__________

¹ Sister of General Meade.

SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George Gordon Meade, Vol. 1, p. 346-7

Major General George G. Meade to Margaretta Sergeant Meade, December 20, 1862

OPPOSITE FREDERICKSBURG, December 20, 1862.

My last letter was dated the 17th instant. Since that day I have been quite busy moving camp, and to-day have been occupied in writing my official report of the recent battle. I am quite anxious to know what you think and hear of my doings. For my part, the more I think of that battle, the more annoyed I am that such a great chance should have failed me. The slightest straw almost would have kept the tide in our favor. We had driven them for some distance. Lee in his report acknowledges that two brigades of A. P. Hill's division gave way before our attack. All we had to do was to have held our own, to have organized on the hill we had gained, and prepared for their assault till our reinforcements could get up. Instead of that, owing to the death of General Jackson and the wounding of Colonel Sinclair, two brigades were without commanders. It being in the woods, and no one being able to see what was going on around, our men pushed too far, and got right on a large body of the enemy, drawn up in line ready to receive them. Of course they immediately poured in a deadly fire, which staggered my disorganized line, and finally drove it back, with the loss of all it had gained. Had it been otherwise — that is to say, had we held the position gained till our reinforcements came up — I should have been the great hero of the fight, as every other attack had not only failed, but without even the success we could boast of. Well, I suppose it is all for the best, and cannot be helped; but it made me feel worse at the time than if we had been repulsed from the first. Yesterday I went to see Burnside, and found him engaged with the War Investigating Committee of Congress. They were just going to lunch and insisted on my going in. Zach. Chandler, Ben. Wade, John Covode and others were there, all of whom treated me with great distinction, particularly Covode, who claimed me as a Pennsylvanian. Old Chandler inquired very affectionately after you, but did not refer to your loyalty. They examined Burnside, Sumner, Hooker and Franklin. What the result will be I don't know, though it is said John Covode affirmed that when he got back he was going to raise a howl, and intimated it would not be against Burnside. Burnside proved that the crossing of the river had been peremptorily ordered from Washington, in the face of his opinion and of the majority of his principal officers. It is understood Halleck says: "This army shall go to Richmond, if it has to go on crutches," which (as over ten thousand cripples were made the other day) seems likely to occur before long. The army are willing enough to go to Richmond, if they could only see the way to get there. Two routes have already been tried this fall — the one by Gordonsville and this by Fredericksburg. Both have failed, and the only one deemed by military men as practicable they obstinately refuse to let us take — by the Peninsula. In our new camp I have fortunately got a room in a house for my headquarters, so that I am quite comfortable.

SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George Gordon Meade, Vol. 1, p. 339-41

Journal of the Joint Committee on the Conduct of the War, February 19, 1862

Wednesday, February 19, 1862.

The committee met pursuant to adjournment; all the members present.

Mr. Odell said he felt constrained to again call the attention of the committee to the importance of immediate action in relation to the blockade of the Potomac. He referred to representations which had been made to him by some of the leading merchants of New York city as to the importance of raising the blockade of the Potomac at once, they representing that it would have a far more beneficial effect upon our relations with foreign nations than many victories gained elsewhere.

Mr. Odell concluded by offering the following resolution, which was agreed to unanimously:

Resolved, That a sub-committee, to consist of the chairman and Mr. Johnson, be hereby appointed, with instructions to wait upon the Secretary of War at once, for the purpose of enjoining upon his consideration the necessity of immediately raising the blockade of the Potomac, inasmuch as it has come to the knowledge of this committee that that is the most significant and important thing to be done in view of our relations with foreign nations.

The committee then took a recess, to enable the sub-committee to perform the duty assigned to them.

Subsequently, the committee resumed its session, and, at the request of the chairman,

Mr. Johnson reported as follows:

That the sub-committee, as instructed, had waited upon the Secretary of War, and the chairman made known to him the object of their visit, viz: the importance and necessity of at once wiping out that disgrace to the nation —  the blockade of the Potomac and the siege of our capital. The chairman also laid before the Secretary the substance of the statements made by Mr. Odell to the committee in reference to the importance attached to this step by the merchants of the country, and also the feelings of American citizens abroad, as shown in letters which Mr. Covode had received and read to this committee.

To which the Secretary replied that the committee could not feel more keenly upon this subject than he did; that he did not go to his bed at night without his cheek burning with shame at this disgrace upon the nation; that the subject had received his earnest consideration since he had been in the War Department, but as yet he had not been able to accomplish his wishes in that respect, as he was not the head and could not control the matter. The Secretary said that General McClellan was then in the building, and he would bring him into the room.

Whereupon the Secretary left the room and shortly returned with General McClellan, to whom he stated the object of our visit.

At the request of the Secretary, the chairman then repeated to General McClellan what he had already stated to the Secretary in reference to the necessity of raising the blockade of the Potomac, the rebuilding the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, &c.

General McClellan stated that the subject had been considered by him, that he had just then been seeing what could be done, and in a short time expected to be able to inform us what steps could be taken. When asked how soon something would be done, he replied that it was not a question of weeks but of days, and proceeded to state what had been done. The inference from what he said was, that some steps were now being taken, and the delay simply depended upon procuring the necessary means. He said he could not give his consent to take men over on the other side of the river without having their rear protected, and having all precautions taken to secure their retreat, if necessary; that he designed first throwing a temporary bridge across the Potomac over which to cross his troops, and immediately proceeding to erect a permanent bridge.

To which the chairman promptly replied that with 150,000 of the most effective troops in the world upon the other side of the Potomac there was no need of a bridge; they could beat any force the enemy could bring against them, and if any of them came back, let them come back in their coffins. To which General McClellan made no reply.

Mr. Johnson stated that the interview with the Secretary had been a very satisfactory one; that the Secretary listened attentively to all that the chairman said, and although the chairman sometimes made his statements to General McClellan in pretty strong and emphatic language, the Secretary indorsed every sentiment he uttered. The Secretary feels as strongly upon this subject as this committee does.

The chairman laid before the committee a communication from the War Department, in response to a call of this committee, enclosing the original orders from General Stone to Colonel Baker, as taken from the dead body of Colonel Baker upon the field of the battle of Ball's Bluff. Adjourned to 11 a. m. to-morrow.

SOURCE: United States Congress, Report of the Joint Committee on the Conduct of the War (1863), p. 85-4

Diary of Edward Bates, November 1, 1861

A memorable day.  C.[abinet] C.[ouncil] called at the unusual hour of 9 a. m. to consider of Gen. Scott’s letter to sec: [of] War, declaring his wish by reason of age and increased ill health, to retire from active military duty, under the recent act of Congress.²⁵

The order was drawn up by the President himself (the retirement of the general being his absolute right, under the act) and was done chastely and in excellent taste.²⁶

– In the afternoon the Prest: and all the heads of D[e]p[artmen]ts. Waited upon  Genl. Scott at his quarters and had a very touching interview. The Prest. made a neat and feeling address, and the Genl. briefly replied, from the depths of his heart — I told the Genl. (what was told me by Revd. Dr. Halsey²⁷ of Norristown Pa.) that there were many religious associations, formed for the very purpose of daily praying for his health and happiness; and he seemed deeply moved.

At the suggestion of Mr. Seward, it seemed to be hastily agreed (tho' I never consented) that Genl. Stone should be deprived of his command for imputed misconduct in the matter of the battle of Balls [sic] bluff (Leesburg) in which Baker rashly threw away his life.²⁸ <note, at an other [cabinet council] some time after, Stone fully vindicated him self before the P[r]est: in council>

It was agreed that Genl. McClellan²⁹ should succeed Scott. Still the President doubted as to the manner of it, not being certain that there is any such Officer as “General in chief” — I said “the General in chief — or chief General — is only your lieutenant. You are constitutional “Commander in chief,” and may make any general you please, your second, or lieutenant, to command under you.”  It was so done[.]

__________

²⁵ “An Act Providing for the Better Organization of the Military Establishment,” Aug. 3, 1861 (Statutes at Large . . . of the United States, XII, chap. XLII, sec. 15, p. 289), provided that any officer who had served forty consecutive years might be retired with pay upon application to the President.

²⁶ See J. D. Richardson, Messages and Papers of the Presidents, VI, 40.

²⁷ Luther Halsey, former professor of theology at Western Theological Seminary in Alleghany, Pennsylvania, at the Seminary in Auburn, New York, and at Union Theological Seminary in New York City, now living in retirement at Norristown.

²⁸ Supra, Oct. 22, 1861. On January 28, 1862, Secretary of War Stanton gave an order for Stone's arrest on unfounded conspiracy charges made by a Committee of Congress. Stone was imprisoned in Fort Lafayette for six months.

²⁹ Supra, Oct. 22, 1861, note 17.

SOURCE: Howard K. Beale, Editor, The Diary of Edward Bates, published in The Annual Report Of The American Historical Association For The Year 1930 Volume 4, p. 199-200

Major General William T. Sherman to Senator John Sherman, November 4, 1865

HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,

ST. LOUIS, Nov. 4, 1865.

Dear Brother:

Ever since my return from my trip in Iowa, Nebraska, and Kansas, I have been so busy that I have neglected to write to you. We are now most comfortable in our new house, and I am settling down into a kind of routine that looks like old banking times. I see a great many people, and get any quantity of letters with all sorts of invitations, but I decline all save a few here in the city. I think I will go to see Henry Sherman¹ at his commencement at Dartmouth next spring, and that will carry me to Boston, where I expect to be besieged. Strange to say, I receive more strong feeling of favor from that quarter than any other, spite the attempt made to put me in antagonism to their special hobbies. I shall not go near Washington this year, nor take part in the reorganization of the new army until ordered to do so officially. I have the report for the Committee on the conduct of the war nearly done, and will send it by a staff-officer to Mr. Wade before the meeting of Congress.

It will contain much detailed and original matter which has never seen the light, and will make the great campaigns as clear as possible, being composed wholly of letters which passed at the time between me and all the officers above and below me. It is more voluminous than I intended, and I will curtail it all I can, but as it is now it is very interesting. I will also accompany it with a map which is very valuable, and I want it engraved on metal. I know Congress will appropriate for proper maps, and not insult us with such lithographs as have heretofore been customary. I may have to get you to help me in this, as I have expended vast labor on this map and want it done right.

I notice that foreigners are very anxious to see me, and all who come here come to call. I shall be here all winter, and if you want anything I can do it. I hope you are sure of your re-election. I have many inquiries as to your prospects, and cannot answer them. I think you have more influence and reputation out of Ohio than any man of the State. . . . You observe that Mr. Johnson is drifting toward my terms to Johnston. He cannot help it, for there is no other solution. Any plan will have objections, but that least of all.

Affectionately,

W. T. SHERMAN.

__________

¹ His eldest brother's elder son.

SOURCE: Rachel Sherman Thorndike, Editor, The Sherman Letters: Correspondence Between General and Senator Sherman from 1837 to 1891, p. 256-7

From Washington

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 the officers and soldiers killed there.  They say the facts disclosed are of a painful, repulsive and shocking character; that the rebels have crowned this rebellion by perpetration of deeds scarcely known even to savage warfare.  Investigations have established this beyond controversy.  The witnesses called before us are 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, their evidence proves a remarkable concurrence of opinion and judgment.  Our own people and foreign nations must, with one accord, (however they have hesitated heretofore,) consign to lasting odium the authors of crimes which, in all 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, naked, 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 adornments; 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.

Wm. Allen Bryant, of Va., nephew of Gov. James Barber, has been appointed chief of the bureau of inspection of the post office department.

The vote in the Senate refusing, by four majority, to refer the subject of the confiscation of rebel property to a select committee, was regarded as a test vote between the friends and opponents of the measure, and a triumph of the former.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, May 2, 1862, p. 1

First Session -- 37th Congress

WASHINGTON, March 28. – HOUSE. – The House in Committee of the Whole, resumed the consideration of the Tax Bill.  Coal oil resulting from the manufacture of illuminating gas or its re-distillation to be exempt from duty.  The tax of 5 cents per gallon on crude coal oil and other bituminous substances, used in like purposes, and on crude petroleum and rock oil was stricken out.  Oil refined and produced by the distillation of coal exclusively is to be subject to a duty of 8 cents per gallon.

The next clause was modified so that spirits rectified and mixed with other materials or prepared in any way to be sold as whiskey, should pay a tax of 15 cents per gallon.  When sold as brandy, gin, wine, or any other name, it shall pay 20 cents per gallon, on the basis of first proof, and so on in proportion for greater strength.  The tax of 4 cents on vinegar from materials other than cider or wine were stricken out.  The tax on ground coffee and all preparations of which coffee forms a part, or which is prepared for sale as a substitute for coffee, is reduced from 1 cent to 3 mills per pound.  Ground mustard and sugar are exempt.  Sugar tax 1 cent per pound.  The Committee struck the tax of 3 cents per lb. on tobacco leaf or stem, manufactured, and increased the tax from 5 to 10 cents per pound of Cavendish tobacco, plug, twist and manufactured of all descriptions, not including snuff, cigars or prepared smoking tobacco.  The Committee increased the tax on prepared smoking tobacco to 5 cents and on snuff or tobacco ground, dry or damp, of all descriptions, except aromatic or medical snuff, to 8 cents per pound.  The tax on cigars remains as originally reported.  Gun powder and all explosive substances used for mining, blasting or shooting purposes, valued at exceeding 18 cents per pound, to pay a tax of 5 mills; not exceeding in value of 10 cents to pay a tax of 1 cent per pound, and when valued at over 30 cents to pay a tax of 6 cents per pound.  Oxide _____ and sulphate of basalt to pay a tax per pound, 25 cents on the former and 10 cents on the latter.

The clause in regard to printing ink and all other descriptions of ink, fixing the tax at 3 per cent ad valorem, was stricken out.  Corn brooms, wooden pails and buckets, straw and palm leaf, hats, caps and bonnets, hats and caps of fur, felt or wool, glossed Indian rubber, or silk, wholly or in part, steel hoops and skirts of metal or other material, all to pay a tax of 3 per cent ad valorem.

Amendments were made, fixing the tax on ready made clothing at 3 per cent. ad valorem and on umbrellas and parasols at 5 per cent.  The tax on iron was fixed at 50 cents to $1 per ton, excepting on condition of manufacture.

The Committee rose and the House adjourned.

WASHINGTON, March 31. – HOUSE. – The House passed the Senate bill removing the import duties on arms imported either by States or contractors.

Mr. BROWN, from the Committee on Elections, reported a resolution which was adopted declaring that S. F. Beach is not elected a member of the House from the Seventh Congressional District of Virginia.

The House then went into Committee of the Whole on the tax bill.

WASHINGTON, March 31. – HOUSE. – The leather clause of the bill was amended as follows: On patent or enameled leather 5 mills per lb.; on patent japanned strips for dash leather 4 mills per square foot; on patent or enameled skirting leather 1½ mills per square foot; on all rolled and rough or hammered leather, made from hides imported from east of Cape of Good Hope, and all damaged leather, 5 mills per lb.; on all other sole and rough leather, hemlock tanned, 8 mills per lb.,  on all sole or rough leather, tanned in whole or part, with oak, 1 cent per lb.; on all finished or cured upper leather, except calf skin, made from leather tanned in the interest of the parties finishing or cutting up leather not previously taxed in the rough, 1 cent per lb.; on band, bull and harness leather, 1½  cents per lb., on tanned calf skins 6 cents each; on morocco goat, kid or sheep skins, cured, manufactured or finished, 4 per cent. ad valorem, provided that the price at which such skins are usually sold shall determine the value; on buck skins, tanned or dressed, $2 per dozen; on doe skins, tanned or dressed, $1 per dozen; on deer skins, dressed and smoked, 6 cents a pound, on horse and hog skins, tanned and dressed, 4 per cent ad valorem; on American patent calf skins 5 per cent. ad valorem, on patent or enameled leather 3 per cent. ad valorem.

The following amendments were also agreed to:  On wine made of grapes 5 instead of 10 cents per gallon; on starch 5 per cent. ad valorem; on furs of all descriptions, not otherwise provided for, 5 per cent ad valorem.

Mr. SPAULDING offered the following:  Provided that no duty shall be contracted on furs until the expiration of the Reciprocity Treaty with Great Britain.  Mr. Spaulding took the occasion to say that we have lost thirteen millions of dollars by this treaty, owing to discriminating duties.

The Committee adopted Mr. Spaulding’s amendment.

The tax on diamonds, emeralds and other jewelry was put at 3 per cent ad valorem.

Mr. STEVENS opposed the tax on flour, which, after some debate relative to the bearing on the Tax bill that existed by the Reciprocity Treaty, was stricken out.

Mr. SPAULDING gave notice that he should introduce a resolution requesting the President to give the required notice for terminating the Reciprocity Treaty.  Cloth and all textile fabrics 3 per cent. ad valorem.

Mr. KELLOGG offered a new paragraph “on and after the 1st of May one cent per pound on all cotton held or owned by persons or corporations.”  Fourth clause relating to organs and melodeons altered, levying the tax from fifty cents to one dollar, according to value, and $6 to $70  for yachts.  Dogs taxed $1 each.

The section relating to slaughtered cattle was amended by adding, provided that commission of internal revenue may make other rules and regulations for ascertaining the accurate number of cattle held, shipped and slaughtered, and all cattle liable to taxation.  Committee rose and the House adjourned.

SENATE. – Vice President Hamlin absent. – Mr. Foster was chosen President pro tem.

Mr. WILLEY present a petition from the workmen in the late armory at Harper’s Ferry, asking for the re-establishment of the armory and for work.

Mr. KING presented several petitions for emancipating the slaves.

Mr. COLLAMER, from the Committee on Libraries, reported to the House a joint resolution to the House for the appointment of _____ Woolsey of Connecticut, Regent of the Smithsonian Institute, in place of Prof. Felton.  The resolution was passed.

Mr. NESMITH introduced a resolution asking for the Secretary of War to furnish the Senate a copy of the report of Brig. Gen. J. Mansfield in relation to the late engagement between the Monitor and the Merrimac.  The resolution was adopted.

Mr. LATHAM introduced a bill to create a bureau of transportation.  Referred.

On motion of Mr. CHANDLER, the bill for the appointment of Light House Inspectors was taken up.  The bill proposes to transfer the light house to the revenue service, putting them under the control of the Secretary of the Treasury.  After discussion the bill was postponed.

Mr. WADE introduced a bill to provide a territorial government for Arizona.

Mr. FESSENDEN presented a joint resolution from the Legislature of Main, in favor of extending pecuniary aid to the States for the emancipation of their slaves.  Also cordially approving the President’s message, declaring that Maine will cheerfully furnish her quota of the amount.  Also asking her Senators to vote for the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia.

The bill for the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia was then taken up, and Mr. SUMNER, of Mass., proceeded to speak in favor, after which the bill was postponed until to-morrow.

The Senate went into executive session and adjourned.

WASHINGTON, April 1. – HOUSE. – Mr. WASHBURNE, of Illinois, presented a memorial from the Illinois Constitutional Convention in favor of the early enlargement of the Illinois and Michigan Canal, and gave notice that he should ask for an early consideration of the bill to that end, it being a matter of great national and military importance.  The memorial was referenced to the Committee on Military Affairs.

The consideration of the Pacific Railroad bill was further postponed till Tuesday.

The House then went into committee of the whole on the tax bill.

An amendment was adopted exempting from taxation under the Railroad routes and steamboats section all foreign emigrants travelling at a reduced fare into the interior of the country, a distance of over 100 miles from the sea coast.

Several amendments were made to the above section, including a tax of one and a half per cent on the gross receipts of bridge company repairers.

An amendment was adopted that trust companies be included with banks, saving institutions, &c., and that they pay three per cent. on their income.

A new section was added, providing that on and after May next, there shall be paid for every insurance policy which may be made, renewed, continued, or endorsed, a duty of 10 cents for every one hundred dollars insured for one year, &c.

Mr. COLFAX moved to strike out the section leaving a duty on advertisements.

Mr. WRIGHT thought that the press out to come up to the work.

Mr. COLFAX was of the same opinion but by this bill, without taxing Administration publications were taxed more than they ought to be. – The pay more than their proportion on the articles used, and for paper, telegraphic messages, gas light, &c.  They might as well impose a tax on all boarders at a hotel, on lawyers for every criminal or civil case.  He said those engaged in every branch of business, merchants, as we, as mechanics, were taxed less than newspapers!

Mr. STEVENS replied that in England a large income was received from the tax on advertisements, as well as the tax on stamps.  The Committee, he thought, had already made large concessions by reducing the tax on printing paper, and striking out that on ink.

Mr. COLFAX said that experience has shown that the English tax on newspapers and books was a tax on knowledge, and that the people demanded and secured a reform in this particular.

The committee disagreed to the motion of Mr. Colfax to strike out the above in the section.  The section was finally amended as follows, and then retained in the bill:

The tax on advertisements shall be assessed on the amounts received for them and not the amounts charged, and is reduced from five to three per cent.  Newspapers with less than 2,000 circulation or whose receipts are less than one thousand dollars per annum are exempted from any advertising tax.

The committee rose and the House adjourned.

SENATE. – Mr. DOOLITTLE presented a communication from the Secretary of the Interior relative to the Indians of Northern Mississippi.  Ordered to be printed.

Mr. SUMNER asked leave to introduce the following:

Whereas, Brig. Gen. Hooker, commanding the army of the United States, on the lower Potomac, Maryland, on the 26th day of March 1862 issued an order of which the following is a copy:

Headquarters of the Division,

Camp Baker, Lower Potomac

March 26th 1862.

To the Brigade and Regimental Commanders of this Division:

Messrs. Mally, Gray, Dunlington, Speak, Pierce, Posey and Cobey, citizens of Maryland, owning negroes supposed to be with some of the regimental camps, the Brigadier Genral Commanding, directs that they be permitted to visit all the camps of his command in search of their property, and if found that they be allowed to take possession of the same without any interference whatever; should any obstacle be thrown in the way by any officer or soldier in the division, they will be at once reported to these headquarters.

By order of Brigadier General Hooker.

(Signed.)

JOSEPH DICKENSON, A. A. G.

Therefore,

Resolved, That the Joint Select Committee on the conduct of the War be requested to inquire whether said order of Gen. Hooker is not a violation of the recent article of war passed by Congress, and approved by the President, concerning the action of the army in the return of fugitive slaves, and to report such a way as in the judgment of the committee will prevent the issue of similar orders, which, while they outrage the feelings of loyal men, necessarily tend to demoralized the army.

Mr. WICKLIFFE, before the reading was completed, objected to the introduction of the resolution.

Mr. SUMNER offered a resolution that the Committee on the Conduct of the War be instructed to collect evidence in regard to the barbarous treatment by the rebels at Manassas of the officers and soldiers of the United States killed in the battle there.  He said we have been disgusted and shocked by the reported treatment of the remains of soldiers by the rebels.  The skull of a brave Massachusetts officer has been made into a drinking cup for a Georgia rebel. – It is evident that we are in conflict with a people lower in the scale of civilization than ourselves, and he wanted record made for history.

Mr. HOWARD moved to enlarge the resolution so as to include an inquiry whether the rebels enticed the Indians who committed unheard of atrocious acts, and how this savage warfare was conducted.  If he was a commanding general he would make no prisoners serving  side by side with Indians.  The resolution thus amended was adopted.

Mr. HALE, offered a resolution that the Secretary of war be instructed to transmit to the Senate the correspondence of Gen. Wool with the War Department, relative to the movements on the part thereof since he has been in command of Fortress Monroe.

The Senate then took up the bill for the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia.

Mr. WRIGHT, said he had hoped when he came here he might have given his attention to putting down the rebe3llion, and that these embarrassing questions would be avoided.  He was not going to look into the past to see why certain things were done, there was evil enough in every section of the country to excite alarm but he thought it was the duty of the politician and statesman to look on the bright side.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 5, 1862, p. 4

Chicago Specials

CHICAGO, March 13            . – The Times Washington special of the 12th says our scouts have arrested seven rebel bridge burners caught in the very act near Manassas.

Refugees say the rebels had no very heavy guns mounted in earthworks at Centreville.  The forts all commanded the approaches from Washington.  There were more to prevent our forces coming on either flank.  Ten days ago the rebels had sixty thousand troops there.  The rear guard did not leave until Monday.  Five caissons, five hundred barrels of flour, several hundred barrels molasses were found to-day, all damaged.

The Tribune specials says that it is now estimated that the rebel army has gone to Gordonsville Junction, ninety-three miles from the Potomac and fifty-nine from Manassas.

Our scouts have penetrated as far as Culpepper Court House.  The country around Gordonsville is represented to be well adapted for defences and the railroad connection being vastly more important than those at Manassas.

Evidence before the Committee on the Conduct of the War to-day, shows that the whole rebel army army [sic] opposite less than thirty thousand – fifteen thousand at Centreville and ten thousand and Manassas.

The Committee of investigation at St. Louis has finished sitting the aggregate of claims passed on was upward of ten millions.  The amount was much reduced.

The Naval Committee of the Senate to-day agreed to appropriate twenty five thousand dollars for the manufacture of twenty inch Dalghgreen [sic] guns.  The committee was brought to this conclusion by a telegraph from Assistant Secretary Fox now at Fortress Monroe, urging that orders for their manufacture should be given at once.  He adds that the Monitor can sink the Merrimac but that it will be a terrible struggle.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 15, 1862, p. 3

The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Washington correspondent . . .

. . . writes that the officers who were captured by the rebels at Ball’s Bluff, and have recently been liberated, have been examined by the Conduct of the War Committee.  They were all of the opinion that had General Stone moved up the men he had crossed at Edward’s Ferry, and attacked the rebels in the rear, he could easily have driven them beyond Leesburg in less than an hour from the time the men left Leesburg.  Col. Lee says that the rebels taunted him with being “sold,” but that he never knew that any men had crossed at Edward’s Ferry until his return from Richmond.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 8, 1862, p. 2

Washington News, Rumors &c.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 20. – Yesterday the Senate confirmed Cassius M. Clay as Major-General, and Jesse L. Reno, of Burnside’s column, as Brigadier-General.  It also rejected Quartermaster Charles Lieb for the second time, the Military Committee stating that he had a million of dollars unaccounted for.

Mr. Vallandigham was much agitated while speaking on Mr. Hickman’s resolution.  When he concluded only two members went to him, Cox and Pendleton.  The Kentucky members are evidently against him.

Mr. Washburne, of Ill., pushed the House in Committee of the Whole through all the Senate’s amendments to the Treasury note bill at a gallop, cutting off a number of long-winded speeches.  The vote concurring in the amendment paying interest in cash was, ayes 76, nays not counted.  The sinking fund amendment was rejected on the unanimous recommendation of the Ways and Means Committee, though opposed by the Homestead, because it devotes to this fund the proceeds of sales of public lands.

The Richmond Examiner of Saturday contains an editorial commencing with the following: – From the valiant Senator down to the timid seamstress, the question on every tongue in Richmond is, whether the enemy are likely to penetrate with their gunboats to this quarter.

The House District of Columbia Committee will report a bill abolishing slavery and incorporating Pennsylvania Avenue.

Assistant Secretary Seward was examined by the Judiciary Committee on censorship of telegraph yesterday.  The investigation is drawing to a close.

A report was made in the Senate Executive Secession yesterday on Mexican affairs by the Committee on Foreign Affairs.  It has been ordered printed.

Mr. Rice of Minnesota, from the Senate Committee on Military Affairs, reported yesterday a joint resolution giving authority to the President to appoint a Lieutenant General by brevet.  The same committee reported in favor of an appropriation to purchase and distribute silver medals to privates and non-commissioned officers, in both army and navy, for distinguished services during the present war.  They also decide not to grant brevet commissions except for gallant conduct in the face of the enemy.

All stories purporting that Gen. Fremont has received a clean bill of health from the Committee on the Conduct of the War, or that he has been assigned to a new command, are without foundation, at least premature.  What may be done eventually depends on the Committee.

The Committee on Conduct of the War has recently been inquiring into the case of Dr. Ives and into the blockade of the Potomac.  On the first matter Mr. Hudson, managing editor of the New York Herald, and on the 2^nd, Capt. Dahlgren were examined.

The Navy Department will issue proposals for steam men of war.  Construction of gunboats will be pressed.

No more titles by brevet will be given, except for distinction in battle.

Mr. Trumbull said in the debate on the army deficiency bill to-day, that he had received authentic information that there were only 28,000 Union soldiers under Gen. Grant at Fort Donelson, instead for 40,000 or 50,000, as reported.

In the House Mr. Voorhes of Indiana made a thorough secession speech, declaring that the people of Indiana were in favor of compromise with the rebels.

Mr. Washburn of Illinois replied to him, saying that the people of Illinois were in favor of Gen. Grant’s compromise with Buckner, viz: immediate and unconditional surrender.  (Loud applause on the floor and galleries.)

Thirty transports ran the Potomac blockade unharmed Tuesday and Wednesday nights.

Gen. Thomas Williams is released from command at Hatteras, and will have command under Gen. Butler, now at Ship Island.

Butler’s New England department has been abrogated, and his authority to raise and equip troops and make contracts revoked.

Governors of States are hereafter to be the only persons authorized to raise regiments.

Mr. Richardson of Illinois, from the House Military Committee, reported a resolution urging that no rebels who have been in the civil, military or naval service of the United States, be exchanged, with the design of keeping and punishing them as ringleaders.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, February 22, 1862, p. 3

By Telegraph

(Reported expressly for the Gazette.)

Opinion of the Attorney General in regard to Pensions.

Rumored Promotion of General Rosencrans [sic].

Skirmish between the Rebels and Gen. Sickles’ Division.

__________

From Washington

WASHINGTON, April 4.

Attorney Gen. Bates has given his opinion that the acts of January and August, 1813, granting pensions for wounds or disabilities are applicable only to the forces thereby created, and will not cover the cases of those called into service by the acts of the 22d of July last; nor are their widows and entitled to pensions under the act of fourth of July, 1836.

Grave doubts may be suggested whether the existing laws make provision for pensions to widows of those now in service who may die from disease or be killed in battle; and upon the whole question the Attorney General inclines to the opinion that there is no adequate provision of law by which such widows are entitled to pensions.  In addition to the bounty conferred by the act of July last, the militia, under the president’s proclamation of the 15^th of April 1861, which was in accordance with the law of 2d August, 1813, are, in cases of wounds and disabilities, entitled to pensions under its provisions.

Previous to adjournment to-day, Senator Trumbull gave notice he should call up the confiscation bill and press it daily until disposed of.

An official war bulletin from the War Department, creates two military departments – first, that portion Virginia and Maryland lying between the mountain department and Blue Ridge, to be called the Department of the Shenandoah, to be commanded by Gen. Banks.

Second, that portion of Virginia east of Blue Ridge and West of the Potomac, and the Fredericksburg & Richmond Railroad, including the District of Columbia and the country between the Patuxent, to be called the Department of the Rappahannock; to be under command of Gen. McDowell.

Special to the Tribune.

Wm. H. Russell, of the London Times, has engaged passage to England in the next Cunard steamer.

Times’ Special.

The committee on the conduct of the war have examined several witnesses bearing upon the charge of atrocities by the rebels upon our wounded soldiers at the battle of Bull Run, and the evidence so far is a disgraceful record against the chivalrous Southerners.

The House committee on printing introduced a resolution to-day providing for the printing of 100,000 extra copies of the final report of the committee on war claims at St. Louis.

It is asserted in official circles that Brig. Gen. Rosencrans [sic] is to be promoted to a Major Generalshiip.

The Times’ correspondent telegraphs to-night from Budd’s ferry as follows:

HOOKER’S DIVISION, April 3.

A corps of picked men belonging to the Excelsior brigade, left Liverpool point under the command of Gen. Sickles, early on Tuesday morning, for Stafford Court House, on a reconnaissance.  The troops landed at the Shipping Point batteries, and marched from thence past Dumfries through Aquia to Stafford.

There was a skirmish between a body of 500 rebel cavalry and the advanced corps of Sickles’ command, six miles this side of Stafford, and firing on both sides was continued until we reached that place.  The rebels in their retreat set fire to the town and all the stores.  Our forces promptly stopped the conflagration.  A number of prisoners, horses, stores, &c., fell into our hands from Brook’s station.  A force of 1,200 rebel infantry, and a battery of six field pieces were moving up to support their cavalry, after remaining three hours in Stafford camp.

Gen. Sickles with a part of his corps arrived back at Shipping Point this morning.  The rest came by Brest’s Ferry, opposite Liverpool.

Our casualties were 2 wounded and a few missing.

The corps marched 48 miles in 17 hours, over the worst mountain roads.

There are a few troops at Fredericksburg.  They are falling back to Richmond.  The citizens state that the Confederate Government intend abandoning Virginia.

WASHINGTON, April 4.

The grand jury of the District of Columbia has found two bills of indictment against Horace Greeley for an attack made on the Marshal of the District in the New York Tribune.

A military hospital has been ordered to be established at New Albany, Ind., and Jefferson Barracks, near St. Louis; have been converted into a military hospital.

The Secretary of War has communicated to Congress his opinion that the present organization of the medical bureau is inadequate to the service.  He has authorized Surgeon General of New York, under direction of the Governor, to organize a corps of volunteer surgeons to render medical aid when requested.  A similar organization has been made under the Governor of Pennsylvania, and valuable service has been rendered.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, April 7, 1862, p. 2

XXXVIIth Congress -- First Session

WASHINGTON, April 1.

HOUSE. – Mr. Hutchins asked leave to introduce the following:

Whereas, Brigadier General Hooker Commanding the army of the U. S. of the lower Potomac, Md., on the 26^th of March 1862 issued an order, of which the following is a copy:

HEADQUARTERS OF THE DIVISION

CAMP BAKER, LOWER POTOMAC, March 26, 1862

To the Brigade and Regimental officers of this division; Messrs. Nally, Gray, Dunnington, Price and Posey, citizens of Md., own negroes supposed to be with some regimental camps.  The Brig. Gen. Commanding directs that they be permitted to visit all the camps, of his command, in search of their property, and if they be found, that they be allowed to take possession of their same, without any interference whatever.  Should any obstacle be thrown in the way by any officer or soldier of the Division they will be at once reported to these headquarters.  By command of

Brig. Gen. HOOKER.

Therefore resolved, That the joint select committee on the conduct of the war be requested to inquire whether said order of Gen. Hooker is not a violation of the recent articles of war passed by Congress and approved by the President, concerning action of the army in return of fugitive slaves, and to report such as a remedy as in the judgment of the committee will prevent the issue of similar orders, which, while they outrage the feelings of loyal men, unnecessarily tend to demoralize the army.

Mr. Wyckliffe, before the reading was completed, objected to the introduction of the resolution.

The House then went into committee of the whole on the tax bill.  An amendment was adopted exempting from taxation under the railroad, omnibus and steamboat section, all foreign emigrants traveling at a reduced fare into the interior of the country a distance of over 100 miles from the seacoast.

Several amendments were made to the above section, including a tax of 1 1-2 per cent. on gross receipts of bridge corporations.

An amendment was adopted that trust companies be included with banks, saving institutions, &ct., and that they pay 3 per cent. on their income.

A new section was added, providing that on and after May next there shall be paid for every insurance policy that may be made, continued, renewed  or endorsed, a duty of 10 cents for every $100 insured.

Mr. Colfax moved to strike out the section levying duty on advertisements.  After debate, during which Mr. Colfax said that experience had shown that the English tax on papers and books was a tax on knowledge, and that the people secured a reform in this particular, the committee disagreed to the motion of Mr. Colfax to strike out.  The section was finally amended as follows, and then retained in the bill: The tax on advertisements shall be assessed on the amount received for the same, not the amount charged, and is reduced from 5 to 3 per cent.  Newspapers with less than 2,000 circulation, or whose receipts are less than $1,000 per annum on advertisements, are exempt from advertising tax.

Committee rose.  Adjourned.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, April 3, 1862, p. 2

XXXVIIth Congress -- First Session

WASHINGTON, March 26.

SENATE. – The Senate to-day in executive session, confirmed the nomination of Col. Gordon Granger, of the 20^th Michigan cavalry, to be a Brig. Gen. of volunteers and Noah L. Jeffries, to be Assistant Adjt. Gen. in the volunteer service.  They also confirmed the following nominations:

Henry W. Reed, of Iowa, to be Agent of the Indians of the upper Missouri; John Evans, of Illinois, to be Governor of the Territory of Colorado; Wm. H. Evans of Ohio, Consul at Maranham; Edward H. Perkins, of Pa., Consul to Santa Cruz; J. Y. McMoth, of Ohio, Consul to Tangiers.

WASHINGTON, March 27.

SENATE. – Mr. Sumner presented several petitions in favor of the emancipation of slaves.

Mr. Hale offered a resolution asking the Secretary of the interior to transmit to the Senate all correspondence in relation to the bark Augusta.

Mr. Hale also offered a resolution that the committee on naval affairs be instructed to inquire whether there was not any laxity on the part of officers of the blockading squadron on the coast, specially at Charleston, and whether there was any foundation for the statement of the British Consul at that part of the armed troops on ships of the Confederate States have been allowed to go in and out of the port of Charleston, and no attempt made to stop them.  Adopted.

The joint resolution giving pecuniary aid o the States, in case they should emancipate their slaves was taken up.

Mr. Henderson said he felt disposed to vote for the resolution.  There was a strong objection to it in the Border States, and they believed that this was an attempt to abolish slavery in those States, and then in other States.  He was sure there was no such intention on the part of the President, and he thought there was no such intentions on the part of the members of the Senate.  Although the subject of slavery was the cause of the rebellion, yet there were other interests.  His State (Mo.) were deeply interested in having the Mississippi river kept open to its mouth.  He had opposed all agitations.  He had also opposed the bill for the abolition of slavery in the Disctrict of Columbia, not because he considered it unconstitutional, but because it was inexpedient to bring the subject up for discussion.  The south had been occasionally frightened by some story of an abolition monster, yet if Congress should abolish the petty amount of slavery in the District of Columbia, he did not believe that his State would secede, but hoped that if the Senators were determined to do this thing, they would be quick, for the great State of Delaware, by getting a peep behind the curtains and discovering the awful plot to emancipate the few slaves she has – already nearly free – might go south for her constitutional rights, where certainly her constitutional rights will be preserved in full force.  The two Senators from Kentucky are getting excited, and the Senators from Virginia and Maryland are getting suspicious of some dreadful thing to happen.  He had been opposed to the bill for the cultivation of the cotton lands, though he supposed it harmless, for the reason that it might have a bad effect upon the Border States.  Yet if the statement is true that slavery should by the corner stone of the government, he was willing to fight to the last with the North against such government.  Nothing would tempt him to raise his hand against the government.  All the revolution he would want was the ballot box.  He did not think there were fifty thousand slaves left in Missouri, as large numbers of them had been taken South, the people in that State had lost property equal in value to the whole amount of her slaves, at the commencement of this war; he regarded the President’s message not as a threat, but as a prophecy, which he felt would be fulfilled everywhere.  If the war continued , he for his part was perfectly willing that the proposition should go to the people of his State, and the matter left entirely to the States.  Ninety-six days of the war expenses would have paid for all the slaves in Missouri, Kentucky, Delaware, Maryland and the District of Columbia, ant the expenses of the war for two years, will pay for all the slaves in the country.

Mr. Pearce, from the finance committee reported a bill to allow arms ordered by States, to aid the suppression of the rebellion, to come free of duty.

On motion of Mr. Fessenden the naval appropriation bill was taken up.

A long discussion ensued on the completion of Steven’s battery.  No action was taken on it, and the Senate went into executive session.

HOUSE. – Mr. Fenton asked, but failed to obtain leave to introduce a resolution instructing the committee on the conduct of the war to inquire into the cause of the exposure of large bodies of our troops belonging to the army of the Potomac, consisting of regiments, brigades, and in some instances of whole divisions, who have been deprived of shelter for days and weeks in consequence of having their orders to march countermanded, then be again ordered to march, and again countermanded, without adequate food, and as to who is responsible for this needless exposure and suffering of our troops.

The House went into a committee of the whole, on the tax bill.  Among other amendments adopted was a proposition that a tax on goods and wares and merchandise manufactured pursuant to contract under this act, shall be paid by purchasers before the delivery thereof.  Several sections of the bill were then acted upon, when the committee rose.

Mr. Rice, of Mass., from the committee on naval affairs, reported a joint resolution appropriating $40,000, to enable the Secretary of Treasury to test the pans and material for rendering ships and floating batteries invulnerable.

The House, in committee of the whole on a state of the Union, resumed the consideration of the tax bill.

Mr. Sheffield offered an amendment that upon all sales of goods, wares, merchandise and other property and estates, which shall be used for consumption or for investment, (excluding jobbers or middle men,) a tax of one per cent. on the amount of such sales shall be paid.

After discussion, the amendment was temporarily withdrawn.  An amendment was adopted taxing candles of any material, valued at not over 15 cents per pound, half per cent per pound; between 15 and 20 per cent, 1 cent per pound; and above 25 one half cent per pound.  An amendment was adopted taxing anthracite coal, 15 cents per ton and bituminous 8 cents per bushel; adopted with the proviso not to go into effect until the termination of the reciprocity treaty.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, March 28, 1862, p. 1