(Special to Post.)
WASHINGTON, Jan. 29. – Gen. McClellan was before the Van
Wyck Contracts Investigating Committee to-day.
Mr. Henderson, the New Missouri Senator, is in favor of the
expulsion of Bright.
It is proposed to modify the language of the resolution, in
which shape it will probably pass.
Extensive frauds have been discovered in army contracts in
Philadelphia, and two members of the committee on the conduct of the war have
left for Philadelphia to investigate the affair.
(Times
correspondence.)
The House Committee on Commerce at their meeting to-day,
authorized Gen. Ward to report on the
Canadian reciprocity treaty. The report
will suggest a number of important changes, making it more equal and favorable
to the U. S.
Certain prisoners released from Richmond and returned here
to-day say that of all the clothing forwarded to them by Gen. Wool from Ft.
Monroe, some months since, by way of Norfolk, care of Gen. [Huger], not one
garment ever reached Richmond. It is
supposed they were appropriated by the confederates.
(Tribune’s Dispatch.)
WASHINGTON, Jan. 29. – The Special Committee on the defences
and fortifications of lakes and rivers had an important meeting this
morning. General McClellan laid before
the Committee many facts showing the importance of immediate action. He favors the fortification of a few
commanding points, such as Mackinaw, Fort Gratiot, and some place on the Sault
St. Marie canal, and the reliance elsewhere upon naval defences, to supply
which he recommends the establishment of one or more depots of arms on the
lakes. It is understood that the
Committee concur in the General’s views and will make a report in accordance
therewith at an early day.
The statement that the House Committee on the District of
Columbia has decided to report against the abolition of slavery in the District
is untrue. Whatever is the sentiments of
the committee they have not yet been expressed by the vote. Mr. Upton, of Virginia, to whom the question was
referred reported orally that in his judgment, it was inexpedient at
present. No action was taken upon his
report, but Mr. Ashley gave notice that if a majority of the Committee espoused
Mr. Upton’s views he should submit to a minority report to the House,
accompanied by a bill providing for the immediate abolition of slavery within
the District.
Gen. Stoneman, Chief of Cavalry, has recommended the
consolidation of the seventy seven regiments of volunteer cavalry into fifty
regiments. He advised that the field and
line officers already mustered in be examined by a Board of Officers who shall
sift out at least one third, and recommends the men also be sifted and those
not fit for horsemen mustered as infantry our mustered out altogether.
Mr. Tucker was confirmed to-day as Assistant Secretary of
War, and Frederick Steele of Missouri, as Brigadier General.
Secretary Seward has issued an order to Ward H. Lamon,
Marshal of the District, instructing him not to receive or retain in his custody
any persons claimed to be held to labor or servitude unless they are charged
with crimes or are held as fugitive slaves under the law of Congress, and to
retain none claimed a fugitives longer than thirty days, unless in compliance
with a special order emanating from some competent tribunal.
(Times Dispatch.)
Secretary Stanton was shown private letters to-day from
Kentucky containing important and extraordinary statements regarding the battle
at Somerset, to wit. That one entire
rebel regiment threw down their arms in the conflict and declared their purpose
no longer to fight against the government.
This example was followed by companies and individuals of other
regiments and accounts for the complete failure and small slaughter attending a
deliberate confederate attack.
Gen. Thomas is not pursuing Zollicoffer’s defeated army, the
road’s and inadequate transportation not permitting. He is building a road of thirty miles in
length to render his advance into Tennessee easy and permanent.
A deserter from Stuart’s 2nd Cavalry came in our lines this
morning and was brought to Secretary Stanton.
He reports Beauregard gone to Kentucky with 5,000 men.
Gen. Smith succeeds in the command at Centreville.
The deserter reports suffering among the rebels from a lack
of suitable clothing, salt, coffee, &c.
They have plenty of meat and bread.
(Herald Specials.)
About a dozen vessels ran the blockade of the Potomac
yesterday, some up and some down the river.
None were fired at.
Last night the Reliance went down to convoy two transports. Sixty or seventy shots were fired at them,
but with what effect is unknown.
The confirmation of Gen. Stoneman as chief of Cavalry and
Gen. Barry as Chief of Artillery have been delayed by an opposition arising
from charges brought by personal enemies of the Generals. They will probably be confirmed in spite of
such influence.
On account of some malicious representatives the nomination
of Gen. Sturgis was not sent to the Senate with the list of other nominations
as Brigadier Generals.
Gen. Sturgis had an interview with the President to-day, and
his nomination was immediately sent to the Senate to date for his original
appointment.
There is no doubt that Gen. Stone will be deposed and
another General not now named will be detailed to the command of the division
at Poolsville.
– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye,
Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, February 1, 1862, p. 2
