Major-General George G. Meade to Margaretta Sergeant Mead, February 14, 1864 – 7 p.m.

Willard's Hotel, Sunday, February 14, 1864—7 P. M.

I felt very badly at leaving you, but I tried to reconcile myself to what was inevitable and could not be helped. We had a very pleasant journey to this place. Mr. Cram and Colonel Bache joined us at the depot, and at Wilmington I found General Hartsuff and Colonel Sackett on the train and took them into the car. Mr. Felton, the president of the company, was at the cars and was very civil. When we crossed the Susquehanna an elegant cold collation with champagne was set out, of which we all freely partook. On arriving here we took tea, and soon afterwards, about nine o'clock, I went to bed. The next day I spent all the day at the Department and White House. The Secretary was, as he always is, very civil and ready to accede to all my suggestions. He gratified me very much by saying that there was no officer in command who had to so great a degree the implicit confidence of all parties as myself; but he said there were several officers in my army that did not have the confidence of the country, and that I was injuring myself by retaining them. I told him I did not know who they were, but that if he was aware of this fact, I thought it was his duty to retire them, and I should not object; and I suppose the result will be a pretty general sweeping out. While with the Secretary, Mr. Usher, Secretary of the Interior, came in and invited me to his house at seven o'clock. Supposing it to be an evening party, where I could show myself and slip out, I accepted; but on going there I found it to be a regular dinner party. Senators Collamore, Wilson, Wilkeson and Powell, together with Judges Holt and Law, and the ladies of the family, constituted the party. All received and treated me with great distinction and civility, and about 10 P. M. I got home, and, after a talk with Cram, went to bed, a little tired. I had intended to go down to the army this morning, but received last night a note from the Secretary, saying he wanted to see me to-day; so I had to spend some four or five hours at the Department, and the rest of the day have remained quietly in the house with Cram.

Mr. Harding with Mrs. Harding are here, also Cortlandt Parker. I have not seen our friends the Harrises, except the Senator.

SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George Gordon Meade, Vol. 2, p. 164-5

Special to New York Papers

(Tribune’s Dispatch.)

WASHINGTON, March 10. – There was a fight at Sangster’s Station yesterday between General Kearney’s brigade and an equal number of rebel regiments.  The latter were driven back.  Several were killed on each side.  Lieut. Worden, of the Lincoln cavalry was killed.  Thirteen rebels were captured.

(Tribune’s Special.)

WASHINGTON, March 10. – The Senate War Committee to-day authorized their Chairman to report back from the House Bill authorizing the Secretary of the Treasury to purchase coin with Treasury notes or bonds, striking the latter clause which leaves the purchase optional with the Secretary.  And also the section on making the fifty million of Treasury notes of the old issue a legal tender.  Senator Fessenden will report the bill as amended to-morrow.

The Senate Judiciary Committee will, on Wednesday, come to a final conclusion on the case of Senator Powell.  There will be majority and minority reports.  The minority, as in the Bright case, being for expulsion.

Light cavalry have been sent in pursuit to harass and track the rebel retreat.  It is supposed to be their design to fall back first upon Fredericksburg and then upon Richmond.

Our Troops occupied Centreville and Fairfax Court House to-night.

Two companies under Maj. Hatfield were ordered yesterday morning to go to Fairfax Court House, by Far’s Cross road.  When within a mile of that place they met the enemy who retreated before them.  At 4 o’clock, last evening, they entered the Court House, followed by a full regiment.  The two companies under Major Hatfield were then ordered back to Far’s Cross roads, where they met the body of the regiment and bivouacked for the night.  At twelve o’clock, noon, to-day, Major Hatfield’s company were within sight of the village, and found that it had been evacuated in the night, the enemy leaving their tents and other property behind in great profusion.

Lieut. Alexander, of the Lincoln cavalry soon after arrived with a detachment of men and passed on as far as Cubs’ Run, three miles above Centreville, where he discovered a vast number of tents left standing.

(Post Special.)

WASHINGTON, March 11. – The President will probably sign the bill establishing the article of war to-day, prohibiting officers of the army and navy, returning fugitive slaves to their masters.

Lieut. Worden, the gallant commander of the Monitor, is here and rapidly recovering from his wound.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 15, 1862, p. 4

First Session -- 37th Congress

WASHINGTON, March 11. – HOUSE. – Mr. CRITTENDEN addressed the House in opposition to the resolution.

Mr. FISHER, of Delaware, favored the resolution.

Mr. HICKMAN, did not consider the resolution of any great practical importance, but would vote for it.

After further debate the question was put and the resolution passed, 88 to 31.  Adjourned.

SENATE. – The bill for the purchase of coin was resumed.  Mr. Fessenden’s amendment increasing the amount to fifty millions was adopted and the bill passed.

The report of the Conference Committee on the Legislative appropriation bill was agreed to.

The bill reducing the expenses of the sales of public lands was passed.

The following amendment to the Confiscation bill was ordered printed: “Strike out the first question and insert the personal property, money, stock, credits and effects of every kind and nature, wheresoever situated, belonging to persons who have heretofore held office under Government or State, and all persons who now or may hereafter hold office under the so-called Confederate States or any State in rebellion or are or may be engaged in resisting the Federal Government, shall be confiscated, such confiscation to take immediate effect, and the possession of their right and title to the personal property of such persons shall cease.”

Senate adjourned.

WASHINGTON, March 19. – HOUSE. – Mr. EDWARDS introduced a joint resolution tendering the thanks of Congress to J. Erricsson for his enterprise, skill and forecast displayed in the construction of the Monitor, and to Lieut. Wooden, officers and men for service recently rendered.  Referred to the Committee on naval affairs.

Mr. McPherson introduced a joint resolution which was referred to, to fill the vacancy in the board of Regents.

The House passed the bill authorizing the appointment of a commission to set with the Commissioners from Great Britain and France for the purpose of adopting measures for the protection of the fisheries on the coast of Newfoundland.  Three thousand dollars was appropriated to carry the act into effect.

The House passed the Senate bill amendatory of the act for carrying into effect the treaty with New Grenada and Costa Rica for the adjudication of claims.

Mr. CALVERT submitted a minority report.  The subject was recommended to this committee for the District of Columbia.

Mr. BLAIR of Missouri from the Committee on Military affairs reported a bill to increase the efficiency of the Medical department.  Also a bill to provide for the organization of Signal corps to serve during the present war, the consideration of which was postponed.

The House passed the bill amendatory of the 8th section of the act to promote the efficiency of the Navy.

Mr. SEDGWICK’S report from the Naval Committee, a bill regulating the grades of line officers of the Navy.

The House passed the Senate bill providing for the customary acknowledgement of the letter and presents from the King of Siam.

Mr. ASHLEY from the Committee on Loyalty reported a bill providing for provisional governments, over the district of countries in rebellion against the United States, and the President is authorized to take possession and instituted such governments, Governors, &c. to be appointed, and Legislative Assemblys [sic] and Courts established, and continue until the people form new State Governments.

Mr. CRAVENS, from the Senate Committee, submitted a report which takes the ground that the bill provides that Congress has no power to exclude slaves from the Union and hold them in colonial dependencies and vassalage till ready to be admitted.

SENATE. – Mr. TRUMBULL from the Judiciary Committee Reported back the resolution for the expulsion of Mr. Powell, with the recommendation that it do not pass.

Mr. SHERMAN, offered a Joint resolution expressing the thanks of Congress to Lieutenant Warden and Sailors.  Laid over.

He also introduced a bill to authorize the President to take possession of certain property. – Referred.

Mr. LATHAM introduced a bill to repeal all laws preventing foreign vessels from carrying the mails to Panama and Aspinwall, and a joint resolution was received from the House tendering aid, &c., to certain States.  Referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

On motion of Mr. WILSON, of Mass., the law to authorize the Secretary of War to accept monies appropriated by the States in the payment of volunteers, was taken up and passed.

WASHINGTON, March 13. – HOUSE. – Mr. DUELL introduced a joint resolution which was passed tendering the thanks of Congress to Gen. Curtis and the officers and men under his command, and sincerely sympathizing with the relatives and friends of the officers and soldiers of the army who fell at Pea Ridge.

The House in Committee of the Whole resumed consideration of the tax bill.

Mr. RICHARDSON of Illinois moved amendment providing that two per cent. of the whole revenue derived from the bill shall be set  apart for the purpose of buying or obtaining by treaty certain territory outside of the limits of the United States on which to colonize free blacks, and for the payment of the expenses of transportation there.

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

Specials to the New York Papers

(Special to Tribune.)

WASHINGTON, Feb. 25 – 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 rebel cannon seem to be in their places, it is doubted whether they are not blacked logs and whether the gunners have not left the banks of the Potomac.  Two Whitworth guns reached Gen. [Hooker] yesterday and will be used to ascertain the true facts 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 freeing 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 understood that his views are inconsistent with his holding his seat at the present time.

The House Judiciary Committee are nearly agreed on a confiscation bill, but may possibly await the action of the Senate.

The tremendous gale that commence so furiously on Monday night has dried up the mud and prepared 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.)

Gen. McClellan received a dispatch an hour since from the West confirming the report that Nashville, Tennessee is taken by Gen. Buell’s army and stating that the rebels have fallen back to Murfreysboro [sic], about 30 miles south of Nashville.

The judgment of the court martial in the case of Col. James Kerrigan has been approved by Major General McClellan and a general order issued carrying it into effect.  The court did not find Kerrigan guilty of treason, but inefficiency and of conduct unbecoming an officer, in the gross neglected of his military duty, as manifested in the disorganized and disgraceful condition of his regiment.  Kerrigan was adjudged to be dismissed from the service.

WASHINGTON, 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.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 1, 1862, p. 3

XXXVIIth Congress - First Session

WASHINGTON, March 13.

SENATE. – Mr. Davis asked that the case of Mr. Powell be taken up, as the legislature were in session and would like to have the case settled.  He subsequently withdrew the request.

Mr. Dixon offered a resolution that the committee on naval affairs be instructed to inquire what is necessary to be done in regard to John Davis, whose distinguished bravery has been brought to the notice of the Government by the report of Com. Dupont.  The resolution was adopted.

Mr. Kennedy offered a resolution that the Secretary of Navy inform the Senate by what law the Naval Academy was removed to Newport, R. I., and the reasons for such removal, and whether such reasons still exist.

The resolution expressing the thanks of Congress to Capt. A. H. Foote, his officers and men, of the western flotilla, was taken up.

Mr. Grimes spoke in its favor.  The resolution was passed.

The resolution of thanks to Lieut. Worden, and the officers and seamen of the Monitor, was then taken up and passed.

HOUSE. – Mr. Duell introduced a joint resolution, which was passed, tendering the thanks of Congress to Gen. Curtis and the officers and men under his command, for the late brilliant victory in Arkansas, and sincerely sympathizing with the relatives and friends of the officers, who so bravely fell at New Pea Ridge.

The House in committee of the whole then resumed the consideration of the tax bill.

Mr. Richardson, of Ill., moved an amendment providing that two per cent. of the whole revenue derived from the bill shall be set apart for the purpose of buying, or obtaining by treaty, certain territory outside the limits of the Union, on which to colonize free blacks, and for the payment of expenses of transportation thereto.

After some debate the first section of the bill was amended, by giving the commissioner of internal revenues the franking privilege.

A proposition to collect the Federal taxes though State machinery was for a long time discussed.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, March 14, 1862, p. 1

XXXVIIth Congress -- First Session

WASHINGTON, March 12.

SENATE. – Mr. Davis presented petitions from citizens of Kentucky, asking Congress to turn a deaf ear to all schemes of emancipation, and turn their attention to the business of the country.

Mr. Trumbull, from the judiciary committee, reported back the resolution for the expulsion of Mr. Powell, with the recommendation that it do not pass.

Mr. Sherman offered a joint resolution expressing the thanks of Congress to Lieut. Worden and sailors.  Laid over.

He also introduced a bill to authorize the President to take possession of certain property.  Referred.

Mr. Latham introduced a bill to repeal all laws preventing foreign vessels from carrying the mails to Panama and Aspinwall.

A joint resolution was received from the House, tendering aid, &c., to certain States.  Referred to the committee on judiciary.

On motion of Mr. Wilson, of Mass., the bill authorizing the Secretary of War to accept monies appropriated by the States in payment of volunteers was taken up and passed.

The Senate passed the bill to define the pay and emoluments of the army, &c., including a deduction of ten per cent. on the salaries paid by the Government during the rebellion.

The bill abolishing slavery in the district of Columbia came up.  Several amendments of the committee were reported.  Amendments were also adopted to punish kidnapping and repealing all inconsistent with the act.

Mr. Davis offered an amendment that all persons liberated be colonized and appropriating 100,000 dollars for it.  He addressed the Senate in support of his amendment, but without further action.  Adjourned.

HOUSE. – Mr. Edwards introduced a joint resolution, tendering the thanks of Congress to J. Ericsson, for his enterprise, skill and forecast displayed in the construction of the Monitor, and to Lieut. Worden, officers and men, for services recently rendered.  Referred to the committee on naval affairs.

Mr. McPherson introduced a joint resolution, which was referred, to fill the vacancy of the board of regents.

The House passed the bill authorizing the appointment of commissioners to meet commissioners from Great Britain and France for the purpose of adopting measures for the protection of the fisheries on the coast of Newfoundland.  $3,000 was appropriated to carry the act into effect.

The House passed the Senate bill amendatory of the act for carrying into effect treaties with New Granada and Costa Rica for the adjustification of claims.

Mr. Colvert submitted a minority report.  The subject was re-committed to the committee on the District of Columbia.

Mr. Blair, of Mo., from the committee on military affairs, reported a bill to increase the efficiency of the medical department.  Also, a bill to provide for the organization of a signal corps to serve during the present war.  The consideration of both was postponed.

The House passed the bill amendatory of the 8^th section of the act to promote the efficiency of the navy.

Mr. Sedgwick reported from the naval committee a bill regulating the grades of line officers.

The House passed the Senate bill providing for the custody of the letter and presents from the King of Siam.

Mr. Ashley, from the committee on territories, reported a bill providing for a temporary provisional government over the district of country in rebellion against the U. S.  The President is authorized to take possession and institute such government with the aid of the military and naval powers.  Governors, &c., to be appointed legislative assembly and courts established and continue till the people for new State governments.  Mr. Cravens, from same committee, submitted a report which takes the ground that the bill provides that Congress has the power to exclude certain States from the Union, and hold them in colonial dependence and vassalage till re-admitted.

The Union may be dissolved by act of Congress, an assumption as absurd and fatal as that a State can annul its allegiance to the Union by State action.  The bill further is impracticable in its details; incendiary and equally as repulsive to the principles of justice and humanity as to the constitution.

Mr. Harding also submitted the minority views of the committee, saying there are abundant reasons for believing the armed rebellion will be speedily subdued and put down.  The bill at a single blow strikes out of existence eleven States – in effect an ordinance of secession.  It strikes down the constitution and dissolves the government, is inconsistent with sound policy, utterly at war with religion and humanity; and hence the minority enter their most solemn and earnest protest against it.

Mr. Pendleton said the bill being clearly unconstitutional, he moved it be laid on the table.  Carried, 65 to 66.

Mr. Ashley, from the committee on territories, reported a bill to provide for a temporary government for Arizona.

The House went into committee of the whole on the tax bill, Mr. Colfax in the chair.

Mr. Morrill, of Vt. explained at length the provisions and effects of the bill.  He said the measure as composed would meet the large demands of the government.

Considerable debate followed, participated in by Bingham, Hickman and Wadsworth, but without action the House adjourned.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, March 13, 1862, p. 1

From Washington

WASHINGTON, March 10.

A Dispatch from Ft. Monroe says that the Merrimac did not make her appearance to-day.

Samuel. L. Casey took a seat in the House to-day, from the 1^st Kentucky district.

Tribune’s Dispatch.

WASHINGTON, March 10.

The Senate Finance Committee to-day authorized the chairman to report back the House bill authorizing the Secretary of the Treasury to purchase coin with Treasury notes or bonds, striking out the latter clause, which leaves the purchase optional with the Secretary; and also the section making the fifty million of Treasury notes of the old issue, a legal tender.  Senator Fessenden will report the bill as amended to-morrow.

The Senate judiciary committee will on Wednesday come to a final conclusion on the case of Senator Powell.  There will be majority and minority reports – the minority, as in the Bright case, being for expression.

Light cavalry have been sent in pursuit to harass and track the rebel retreat.  It is supposed to be their design to fall back first upon Fredericksburg and then upon Richmond.

Our troops occupied Centerville and Fairfax Court House to-night.  Two companies under Major Hatfield were ordered, yesterday morning, to go to Fairfax Court House by the Braddock road.  When within a mile of the place they met the enemy, who retreated before them.  At 5 o’clock last evening they entered the Court House, followed by a full regiment.  The two companies under Major Hatfield were then ordered back to Fairfax Cross Roads, where they met the body of the regiment and bivouacked for the night.  At 12 m. to-day Hatfield’s company were within sight of the village and found that it had been evacuated in the night, leaving tents and other property behind in large quantity.

Lieut. Alexander, of the Lincoln cavalry, arrived soon after with a detachment of men, and passed on as far as Cub’s Run, three miles above Centreville, where he discovered a vast number of tents left standing.

PORTLAND, March 11.

The North American arrived this morning.  News soon.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, March 12, 1862, p. 2

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

XXXVIIth Congress -- First Session

WASHINGTON, February 20.

SENATE. – The Senate passed the army appropriation bill for 1862 and then went into executive session.

Mr. Wilkinson offered the following resolution:

WHEREAS, Lazarus W. Powell, after several States had severed themselves from the Union, on the 20th of June last, attended a large Southern States Convention as was the President thereof, where resolutions were passed approving of the neutrality of Kentucky and denouncing the war, and also attended another Convention on the 10th of September, where more resolutions were passed of the same import and said Powell had given all the aid and comfort he could from the position he occupied; therefore,

Resolved, That said Lazarus W. Powell will be expelled from the Senate.  Referred to Judiciary committee.

On motion of Mr. Grimes, the bill to establish a national armory at Rock Island was taken up.

Mr. Howe moved its reference to the military committee.

Mr. Wilson, of Mass., had no desire to have it referred to that committee.  He was not sure the Government needed another armory at this time, but it did need a foundry for making cannon, &c.

HOUSE. – The House took up the report from the committee of the whole on the Senates amendment to the Treasury note bill.

Mr. Hooper briefly expressed his views.  He said the object was to furnish a substantial and uniform currency, and to approve the distinction proposed to be made in favor of the holders of the stock, by paying the interest in coin.

Mr. Stevens said he had a melancholy foreboding that they were about to consummate a cunningly devised scheme which will carry great injury throughout the country.  At the [insistence] of the brokers the Senate has been persuaded to mangle and destroy what had cost the House months to digest, consider and pass.  The bill has been so defaced that its very fathers fail to recognize it.  Instead of being a beneficial, invigorating measure, affording a uniform and equal currency for all, it possesses positively great mischief.  It now has all the bad qualities which have been attributed to it, without a single good feature in its amended form.  It creates two classes of currency – one for banks and brokers, and another for the people.  It discriminates between different classes, takes away the legal tender clause, and the Government will be in the clutches of the harpies.

All the amendments to the Treasury note bill were acted on.  The amendment making the interest on the notes payable in coin was agreed to.  The amendment pledging the lands, duties, and proceeds of rebel property to the redemption of the interest and principal of the debt was rejected.  The bill goes back to the Senate again.

The Post office appropriation bill was up in the committee of the whole.

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

There are two men in Congress . . .

. . . who deserve the halter as richly as any two malefactors that ever disgraced a gallows. We mean, Senator Powell, of Ky., and Representative Vallandigham of Ohio. They are both traitors at heart, and so far as they dare, they manifest their treason to the disgrace of the Congress and country. – Buffalo Express.

Those are the putative fathers of the new Democratic party. They resurrected it last month and the Democrat of this city has already given in its allegiance.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, April 30, 1862, p. 2