Washington News

WASHINGTON, April 4. – Attorney General Bates has given his opinion that 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 22d July last, nor are their widows and orphans entitled to pensions under the act of 4th of July 1836.

Grave doubts may be suggested whether the existing laws make provision for pensions to the 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 a pension in addition to the bounties conferred by the acts of July last, the militia received under the Presidents Proclamation of the 15th of April 1861, which was in accordance with the law of the 2d August, 1813, and in cases of wounds and disabilities, entitled to pensions under its provisions.

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

An official war bulletin from the War Department creates two military departments.  First, that portion of Virginia and Maryland, lying between the mountains and the Blue Ridge, to be called the Department of the Shenandoah, to be commanded by Gen. Banks.  Second, that portion of Virginia, east of the Blue Ridge and west of the Potomac and the Fredericksburg and Richmond Railroad, including the district of Columbia and the country between the Patuxet to be called the Department of the Rappahannock, to be under command of Gen. McDowell.

WASHINGTON, April 4. – A military hospital has been ordered to be established and New Albany, Indiana, and Jefferson Barracks, near St. Louis, has 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 the Surgeon General, of New Jersey, under the direction of the Governor, to organize a Volunteer Surgeon Corps, 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 Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 12, 1862, p. 4

Sent to Fort Warren

PHILADELPHIA, April 5. – The Bulletin learns from a gentleman just from Washington that Surgeon General Clement A. Finally, who has been removed from the head of the Medical Department of the Army, has been sent to Fort Warren, and that he passed through here last night.  The cause has not been ascertained. – Dr. Finally is a native of Ohio, but a resident of Lafayette City.

– Published in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 12, 1862, p. 4

XXXVIIth CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

WASHINGTON, April 9.

                                                                                                                   

HOUSE. – The House proceeded on the consideration of the Senate bill to increase the efficiency of the medical department of the army.  The debate involved the question of incorporating surgeons from the volunteers with the regular staff, thus giving a broad field of selection.  This agreed to, the bill as amended on recommendation of the military committee was passed.

SENATE. – Messrs. Howard, Chandler, Sherman and Trumbull presented petitions in favor of emancipation.

Mr. Howe presented a memorial from the Legislature of Wisconsin for the establishment of a national armory and depot in that State.

The bill fixing the salaries of District Attorneys was taken up, and after discussion was passed – 20 to 19.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, April 10, 1862, p. 1

XXXVIIth CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

WASHINGTON, February, 27.

SENATE. – Mr. Wilson reported back from the military committee the bill providing for a national foundry and furnace with an amendment, striking out the furnace.

Mr. Davis offered a bill as a substitute for the confiscation bill.  Ordered to be printed.

The bill to increase the efficiency of the medical department of the army was taken up.

HOUSE. – The house concurred in the report of the committee of conference, in the disagreeing amendment to the bill, making appropriations for sundry and civil expenses.

Mr. Wright introduced a joint resolution that the proclamation of Andrew Jackson on the subject of nullification, together with the farewell address of Washington, be printed for distribution.

Mr. Stevens moved the addition of the declaration of independence.  Agreed to, and referred to the committee on printing.

The consideration of the Upton contested election case was resumed.

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

From Washington

NEW YORK, Feb. 13.

The Tribune’s Washington Correspondent says of Gen. Stone that he used to have stolen interviews with the rebels, and that a package on at least one occasion, was seen to pass from him to them. He, with surly words, refused a pass to the widow of a volunteer, who wished to seek for the body of her husband within the enemy’s lines, but in the case of the rebel ladies, who on frivolous pretexts desired to go and come, he was all urbanity, and freely gave passes – passes, too, which covered trunks not to be examined.

The Senate military committee will report, at their next meeting, a reorganization of the medical department of the army, increasing the number of surgeons and other members of the service, and making it a separate department.

Gen. Montgomery, military governor of Alexandria, is abusing his office by releasing rebels arrested by his subordinates. Not content with allowing Rev. Mr. Stewart to omit the prayer for the President from the service, he set him at liberty after his arrest on account of the treasonable omission.

The Alexandria Chronicle says much excitement has been occasioned by the arrest of Rev. Mr. Stewart, who in spite of remonstrances and warning, persisted in parading his rebel proclivities in the pulpit.


(World’s Dispatch)

WASHINGTON, Feb. 12.

A well known Citizen here, named Magruder, a shoe dealer, was arrested to-day on a charge of treason, he having been communicating with the enemy. The charges against him in this respect are alleged to be very serious.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 13.

The sergeant at arms pursuant to an order by the house of Representatives, has placed Henry Wikoff in close confinement, selecting the guard house in the Capitol for that purpose. Mr. Wikoff said to-day that this was a kind of capital punishment that he had not anticipated.

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