.lice. he the soldier behind ntifr - o — m - tartan (M. 4 1
Lastx suggesta. - -
Mr. President, I have occupied thelattention.of .
the Senate far longer than .1 Mended It wits not-
my purpose to have said one itireirdttitbn this reso
lution; but I regard it as - of inorernOment 'to us,
to - the cause, and to the country t 4 defeat this
resolution than to have defeated or to have adopted.
any resolution that has been before
, Us this ses
sion ; and it is with the. utmost respect for the
gentleman who introduced the resoluPon, and for
those who have advocated it;lthat I 'repeat again,
in conclusion, that it is a renewal of te very same
.discussion that occupied out, attent i ;n in- July,
I}
forced -upon us by those wfin are n w open and
acknowledged traitors, nowin the enerny s camp,
and in -arms against the' Government, and who
would be the warinest'and most zealous advocates
• of the passage of this resolution if-they were here,
end who will reoice with joy'rdniost unspeakithle
I
if we do what trust we shall not de, adopt. it,
and record our vote of censure Ogairistlthe Admin
istration, for it virtually amounts to that. • I know,
sir; it is not so intended, but it virtlially amounts
to ;that; it goes to the country; with - that impres
lioo. It carries that morateffeet with it every
where that it does_go, in connect* with the
debate that has sprung upairnin it. i. -•
I have the utmost confidence, Mri President,
that the Senator from New Harneshir4 will record
his vote with us for this 'resolution, Or he adiro
cated it. only from an • olidarittehabil, which he
admits in his opinion is perhaps a vicious one, of
opposing every Administration
.that has existed
since he. has been in Congress; [Lauibter I.The
habit has able
so strong . uptin him that he has
not been. able to restrain it anon t h is occasion;
but I expect his vote with us On this i?esolution.
Mr. PEARCE. I wish to ask the Se:nator from
Illinois, who has alluded to the of Mr. Faulk
ner, whether he understands - 114a M 4 Faulkner
was charged with 'any treasonable practices, or
any infidelity to the Government? I ailt him that
.because I have been told sineel errivri - d here,by
persons who profess to have direct knowledge on
the subject, that Mr. Faulkner was nit charged
with any infidelity to the Government at all, but
Was arrested and held as a, sort of hosteg,,e. That
is one case which does not come within the rule
which he justifies. • r.
Mr. BROWNING. I will With gretit pleasure
answer the question which hail been do very 're
spectfully asked,and will say to the'Senator•from
Maryland that 1 am not infornied in regard to the
facts connected with thearrest. of Mr.:Faulkner.
I have not had the means or the opportunity of
obtaining information upon the subject; but, as
the power is intrusted to the F.xecutlye, as that
is the proper source of -power for such acts, I
have rested in the confislence,lthe perfect asaur- I
anee that it'would net have exercised t tat power
without an investigation on itif . part, id , the as.
certainment of facts, Which, Vita opii ion, fully
jtistified it. - I wjll answer in- relation t , the other
suggestion of the Senator from alluiyht
.d— •
Mr. WILSON. If the Senator will '
allow me
to answer the question, I thinl(-1 3 can abswer the
Senator front Maryland. ' i l
Mr. BROWNING. In n *meta.
i rtbe ar
were made for the reason i s u gge s t - t1 by /be
el,titor from-Maryland, to, hold Mr.F ulkner as
a hostageovhy, sir, upon that; ground; I cannot
hesitate one instant to justify both thepowerand
the exercise of the power. ' -. - -- 3 '
Mr.ILSON. I think I cab answi
ator aimWILSON'.
Maryland in'regard to Mr.
I think the Senator will•find that the Gee
had. positive evidence, under ' ()Alb of 4
that Mr. Faulkner, while representingl
''ernment of the United States at;Paris, S.
receipt of correspondence fronii men 4
therebellion against the United StateS, sir
it was going an; and what acts would!
and that those letters were read lii his oiv
The recta' and the statement in regard to It
tars are in the possession of the State Dica
to-day; and he was sent to pristm.
Mr. HALE. .:The Senator from 11l
made a personal appeal to me, and I'deii
a word in reply. He says that; I have
rate habit of opposing Administrations.
-' -
mean to oppo;e . this one unless I andriVenio it;
and I hope I shall not be. Butte has . kreat con
- fidence that I am going to vote With lima against
' this resolution. Well, sir, theM is a habit I have
. not got—that of making a speech on ondside of a,
question and voting on the othei. [Latighter.]
Mr. TRUMBULL. Mr. President, I egret the
necessity of sayi4 anything father with refer-,
' ence to this matter,' which' has assumed a very
wide range fora mere resolufiot of inquiry, and
I certainly should not do so lila for what has:
fallen from my colleague, at whqse remarkit I feel ' 1
_ somewhat surprised. I know, sic, that itlis revery
cAininon thin,— to Attempt to chaktge issuien t cute-'
. chilly : in trials of causes in court ; and no one is I
more adept in court than my colleame. It is not
an uncommon thing when one has a
. bail case to,
- try to get up an issue that is not involv al in the 1
case. Now, my colleague certainly NW uld not
upon rellectiA`ask the Senate to,!voteag inst this
resolution because Mr. Breckintidge, 1 he :were
here would vote for it. Would that be reason?
Is that the high motive by which Senato' s of the
United States are governed? That is' his first
reason +thy this resolution should-not mid, and his
' -last one; for he matte the appeaVas he sat down.
If Mr. Breckinritlge -were here he woulkvote for
the resolution! I
,have knowii Men governed by
prejudices of that kind, but I did - not suppose that
such an appeal as that would be mad ,to the
Senate of the United States. - 1. -
Mst collettgue further says thatthis is a 'ad time
to otter such a resolution.- Why;:air, it isithe only
time when there would be any oicasion of such
an inquiry._lt is in just such tithes as these that'
this power is exercised. It is only on soh!' occa:
clans as thii, I know,-that•lic would attempt to ' I
justify it. In a time of quiet and peace in the
country he would notagree that Men should bear- '1
. 'rested withoutchargeovithout complaint, without i
opportunity to answer. From *mitt; if you j
ever make the inquiry, you must, do it now.' ,
But he says this will demoralize And weaken the
Government. Let. Ili- see the position . of [my col
league. He says that he has obtained from the
Senatorfrom Maine, when admits that he would
arrest certain persons "under circumstances which
" he mentions, all that he wants; and then "that the
arrest is constitutional. •-ls there any harm; sir, let'
inquiring of the Secretary of Statelby what law lie
made arrests, - when my colleague says they . are
perfectly constifutionaH I . if
Again, he wants to knou; who hasbcen wrongly
arrested. Has that anything to dd with the ques :
tion ? Are we to inquire here as toiehetherhpartyt
was Tightly or' wrongly arrested ? 1 , This ih_a sim
ple resolution of inquiry as to whether arrests have
- -- been made. ' I have not even asked for the cause,
and if so, by what autltority. Mi colleaghe says
the authority is ample. Then will any harm liel
done? . . 1
He would ..put•.some of us inithe postion of
charging the Government with usurtiatiorii. Why,
sir,, the resolution does not even lissome Fillet an
arrest has been made. It asks if hay. have been
made; and no one that I arnawareicif has eharged'
the Government with usurpation.: Weortere dis
cussingn principle whetherthe making of arrests,
if any such were made, without authority,-without
charges,
without oppottunity to answer, would
not ben despotism, and hcchooseilito charge upon
some of us having said that the EXccutive was a
usurper. No language that has fallen from me
will justify any Such imputation. t • I
He says, moreover, we give aitfand coM
' fort to
the enemy by this resolution. Sir,:ldisagOe with
him totally. If you,ivill have a-united people, if
you will bring -up the twenty millions cif loyal
people in this country as one man to crush out
this wicked rebelliOn, you must bring the up be
lieving they are fighting for constitutional
you !mist bring them up believing they are fighting
for law, and to maintain the Institutions; which
are established by the Constitution; and you will
weaken your Government, you livakcn its bands
-when youilo anything that creates, the impression
in any portion of the country that we are not
' fighting for this regulated liberty, ; I '-.„.
Now, sir, I think that what I have said—and
I am not
.disposed to prolong this debate---is a
complete answer to all that fell fromm, my colleague.
The principle with which be coinmenced and
ended, I confess I am unable to answer: because
if Mr.Breckinridge was here he would vote "a cer=
Lain way, therefore, Senators,.You!must vote dif
ferently! Ode Senator here. instanced what the
rebels were doing; that they imprisOned•men; that
they arrested people; that they violated the Com=
stitution, as if that was any reason that we,should
do it. Why, sir, I clitim that we are better than
they. I claim that we will put crown rebellion
and
_preserve the'Constitution; we will not violate
,the Constitution nor attempt to overthrow if; nor
do I say that that has been done 1 - " have sup
posed•a ease which might amount! to a uiiiirpa-
Lion, but I charge no usurpation; 'and this attempt
which is made hire-tol array persoUS-rtgairiiit the
Administration, it seems JO me, is a most 'Mugu.
ler one. .What is to be gained by t?i Has any
body who has been in favor orthis resolution
said . they were against the Administration? , Has
not every one disclaimed it? Doei iny colleague
wzint the country to believe thaett portion Of t i kti
• Senate—the friends of the Administration—ure its
enemies? Dots My collentie want Ile country to
,:.
dent? Why assert it in - the face of the declaration
of every one that he has no such intention-? .
Mr. BROWNING. Will My colleague permit
melt) interrupt him?.. . •
mr..TRITAIKTLL: Certainly. . .
.• Mr. BROWNING. 1 took 'pains, Mr. Pres
ident, to assert, over and over again, that I Was
sure there Was no hostility tOlhe Administration
on the 'part of any'of the gentlemen connected
with the advocacy of this . rosoltition; andl took
especial. pains to, say so in reference to My col;
league. I did say, that my colleague. based his
[Meech tipen the danger of tyranny or usurpation
of power. That we% hialangung,e; and I did say
that that language and this debate, going to the
country in connection with the passage of the
resolution; would give a false impression abroad
that there 'was hostility to the Administration at
the bottom . of this. movement. I think I ought
not to have been ..misunderatood; and I am sure
my,colleague does not design to misunderitand
me.
Mr. TRUMBULL. I understood my colleague
'to impute. to me haying charged the Executive,
with usurpation.
Mr. BROWNING. 'No, sir_
Mr. TRUMBULL, I was speaking of a prin
ciple, the assertion ' -of which might lead to des
potism, not of acts done by the Executive. 8ut,...
tar, I do not wish to prolong this debate. I hope
we may be permitted to take a vote on the motion
to-refer the resolution to the Committee on the
-Judiciary. I believe the yeas and nays have been
called on that motion. Let that be a teat yote,and
let oh get through with it.. •-
Mr.- COLLAMER. I ish it distinctly under
stood that the gentleman - can noemake any motion
of this kind a test vole because he says so.
Mr. TRUMRULL. Of course not.
The VICE PRESIDENT. The question is on
the motipn to refer this resolution to the Commit ,
tee on - the Judiciary, and on that question the
yeas and nays have been ordered.
Mr. JOHNSON; of Tennessee. Ido not un
dersuind this as being a te-S . t vote, but: simply to
be the niost proper disposition to be made of the
resolution. [" Exactly. "1
The question being taken by yeaS and nays,
resulted—yeas 9.5, nays 17; as follows: •
• Y,EAS—Messm: Anthony, [gowning, Chandler, Clark,
Collatner, Cowan, Dixon, Dadiydc, Fessenden, Fool, Fos,
ter -Harris lion - e, Johnson of Tennessee, King, Lane of
Indiana, Morrill, Pomeroy, Rice,trillerman, Simmons, Sum
ner, Ten Eyck, Wade, and• Witcro-05,
NAYS—Messrs. Bayard, Bright, Carille, Grimes, lisle,
Harlan, Kennedy, - Latham, McDougall, Nesmith, Pearce,
Powell, Saulsbury, Thomson, Truinbull,'Wlikluson, and
Willey-17. •
So the resolution was referred to the Commit
tee on,the Judiciary.
I
SENATOR FROM K ANSA 4 - '
•
Mr. FOSTER. I wish to give notice that to
morrow, at one o'clock, I shall move to take up,
or rather shall call, up for the attention of the Sen
ate, the report of the JuiliCiary Committee upon
the memorial of Mr. Stanton, asking a seat on
this flooras a Senator from the State of Kansas,
and I intend to press the question upon the atten
tion of the Senate. -
EXECIr s TINT SESSION
Mr. SUMNER. I, Move that the Senate now
proceed to the consideration ofexecutivebusiness.
The motion was agreed to; and after some time
.sent to the consideration of executive business,
the doors were reopened anddhe Senateadjourned.
the Sen
atilkner.
kvernment
f.itnesses,
the G9svn
ins in the
ganizing
[tin g that
4be dtie,
n house.
ythose, let
partrnent
-HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
ManiAT, Decembir 16, 1861. •
;' The House met at twelve o'clock, m. Prayer
by the Chaplain, Rev. Ttiol.l4,s H. Srockroir.
The Journal of _Thursday last was read and
approved: '
MEDICAL RSTDIATES FOR TILE ARMY
The SPEAKER laid before the House a com
munication from the War Department, transmit
ting estimates of the SUrgeon.General of the Lied
ical and hospital department of the regular Army
for the year commencing July 1:1869., and ending
Stine 311; 1563, inadvertently omitted to be sent
witlithorither estimates of the Department; which'
were referred to the Committee of Ways and
Means, and ordered to be printed:
nois has
r to sly
n °lth-
I do not
EAU'S DUFF DISASTER
The. SPEAKER also laid before the House
another comma nication' frdm the Secretary of
War, acknowledging the receipt of the resolution
of the House - of Representatilc-es calling for certain
inforrhation with respect to the disastrous move
ment of Our troops at galPs 'Bluff, and transmit
ting a report of the Adjutant Gtniral of the United
States Army, showing that boniptiance with the
resolution at thie-timo would be.'in the opinion
of the6eneral-in-Chief, injurious to the public
service;' which was laid on the tabfc, and - ordered
to be printed. • •
. _
TREASON OF ARMYIOFFICEB.S..
The SPEAliga also laid before the House
another communication frcOi the Secretary of
War, in answer-to a resolution of the House of
Representatives, of- the 4th instidt, asking what
measures hare been, or ought to be, taken to ex
pose and punish such officerb now on parole as
were guilty oftreason or cottlardice in surrender
ing Fort Fillmore, in New Mexico, to an inferior
force of Texans, and transmitting a report of the
Adjutant General, which, with General Order No.
102, furnishes all the informAtion on that subject
in possession of the Deportintnt; which were laid
on the table, and ordered to be printed.
BUANCII MINT Iy dOLOIIADO
The SIi.EAKER. al,so laid before the Houte a
merhorial 'from' the Legislature of the-Territory of
Colorado, relative to the establishnient of a branch
mint in that. Territory; which was referred to the
Committee of Ways and Means, and ordered to
be printed • . .
REGISTSIIED, SEAMEN
The SPEAKER - also laid before the House a
repot front the Secretary of State, transmitting
an abstract of returns ahowing the. number of re
gistered 'seamen in the ports of the United States
for the year ending 3(kh September, 1661; whidh
was laid on the table,;and ordered to be printed.
PEILSONAL EXPLANATION:
Mr. CONWAY. I' ask the 'consent of the
House to make apersonal explanation. '
The SPEAKER.. Thc.gentleman can only pro
ceed by unanimous consent.
No objection was made.
- Mr. CONWAY. I find in the Daily Globe of
Fridarlast an account of the proceedings which
took place upon this floor the preceding day upon
the various resolutions which were then under
consideration. I..send the 'paper to the Clerk's
desk and ask toAave mid what .I have indicated.
The Clerk rends as follows:
"Mr. Forkr. Mr. Speaker, I was.not In the Hall when
the gentleman from Kansas commenced his speech. I thn
Informed by friends around me here that he enumerated the
,disasters which have befallen the Army since the war be
gan, and that, in that enumeration, he riliuded to the battle
of Belmont: I wish to ask the gentleman if he made such
a statement here upon thin fl(10s as that the battle of Bel
mont wasz defeat to our Army?
"Mr. CONWAY. I did, sir.
"Mr. rocks. I would ask the grill/email upon 'what
authority he made that statement'
"Mr. Cosw:sir. I made it upon the authority of the
newspapers.
"Mr. Fisaiannit. I must object to this, if it is to come
ont of my time.
"The ,SrEssett. It must "vitae out of the gentleman's
Hine, unlusa by unanimous cement. ..
"Mr. Fricke. I ask the Indulgence of tile gentleman
from Kentucky for a few moments. '•
"Mr. lisenntia. I must respectfully; decline - to yield
further.
. .
FOVILt. [wish to set this matter right. It is proper
that I - should do so. It is but jugtice'to those brave soldiers
who fell upon that noble battle-field, which was a victory,
Mat thls falsehood should,be nailed to the counter. I claim
it as a right. take me - but a moment to make-my
statement." •
Mr. CONWAY. I desire to say that I did not.
hear distinctly here the offensive remark con
tained in that account at the time it- was uttered,
but that my attention was immediately . ..called to it
by a friend 'at my side. ; I deeire now to repeat
the question 1 then put to the gentleman from Illi
nois. whether he intended to make hie charge of
falsehood-personally applicable to me?
'Mr. FOUKE. Mr. Speaker, i rose the other
day, after having been informed of the etateinent
made by the gentlemanfrom Kansas, for the pur
pose of making a cool and deliberate statement in
regard - to the.battleW Belmont. I had never heard
of any paragraph or article in any newspaper de
nominating that battle us a defeat. I had heard;
however, that the Chicago Tribune, publishe&on
the Bth of November, 1 think; enumerated that
among the disasters that had befallen our Army.
But the editor of that paper, as ['understand, sub
sequently corrected the misstaternen made by him
op the Bth., -;
•LI will now avail myself of tie opportunity to
make-a statement in. regard to fire battle of Bel
mont; and I will leave nit) the gentleman to say
whether the remarks that I made are personal, to
himself or not. Uy a
wish to do this kindlrid e
liberately, and then leaves it td every, in3partial
mind, here or elsewhere, who hives his country
and the glory of his country's arms, to say whether
I was justified in the remark lima& on Thursday
or not.
On the morning of the lth 'we landed on the
to meager orce o t tree
thouland men. A little upwards of five compa , -
nies of that force did not participate in the engage
melt. WC encountered the enemy and were under
fire five hours before we captured Belmont. Me
took their cannon at the point otthe bayonet. We
tumbled one or two of their batteries into the river
and brought the others back with us into camp.
We Wok their horses and their guns, and we to*
seine two hundred prisoners. In the' morning,
when the battle began in front of their camp, Gen
eral Cheatham was sent with an additional force
across the river, who all day reconnoitered in the
rear. After we accomplished the victory, and
had taken Belmont, scents came in and informed is
that a large force had got between us and our boats.
We then charged back upon this force, and our
gallant troops cut their way through them to the
-boats. The last battle cost us many gallant lives.
Three of my own bravest and most gallantat fi cers
fell onthe field. The enemy were dispersed and
retreated. Our troops then left them and returned
to the boats unmolested.. We arrived there and.
wok on boardthe cannon which wo brought with
us when we went into the battle. We also took
on board the cannon which we captured at Bel
mont. We took on board also the horses we had
captured in that battle. When we hid embarked
and were ready to move, the enemy rallied and
opened fire upon us, doing no damage whatever.
Their fire was returned from the boats. After the
1 1 capture ofßelmont, and all the time while we were
there, we were exposed to a heavy fire from Co
lumbus, occupying.a strong natural position.upen
a ble immediately opposite. Belmont is situated
on a bottom on the Missouri side of the river, and
it was not designed.that our forces should, hold
the place. Alrwe designed to accomplish was ac
complished. And, leaving myself out of the ques
tion, I assert that it was accomplished with as
much bravery and gallantryas was ever displayed
on any baule-field.
This, Mi. Speaker, is the statement I designed
to make on Thursday if the opportunity. had been
afforded me. I did not intend then to say more
than I now say. I thought it_was unkind, and
still think it was unkind, in the gentleman 'from
Kansas to persist in going on with a charge based,
as he says, upon a newspaper report., If he loved
his country, if he had pride in the achievements of
our arms, he would not have hesitated to have
thrown away his whole speech for the gratifica
tion of having established the falsification of such
a charge as this to his satisfaction, and to the sat
:isfaction of every Union-loving Man.
' My friend from Kentucky [Mr., HAADINGI also
refused to give me the floor. I made the state
ment that die charge was false, and 'I will permit
the gentleman to make the application to hirnselt
if he sees proper. He is the 'only judge in the F
matter. or one, when I look back upon. that
bloody battle-field, and remember the 'corarader
who fell at my side—some of them at my, feet;
when I remember those who have survived; and
are now ready to again meet the- enemy at any
day- and - any - hour, I could not return to camp and
look those gallant - soldiers in the face, and say
that I sat in my seat and allowed such a charge to
go uncontradictcd.
Mr. Speaker, the gentleman made his charge on
the foundationof newspaper report. I denounce
that report as false ' and if the gentleman is as
magnanimous towards our soldiers as he would
seem to desire us to be on other occasions, let him
take this explanation and make his own applica
tion.
• .
• Mr. CONWAY. 1 havt., Mr. Speaker, given
the
. gentleman every opportunity to do himself
justice in this matter. He luta refused to avail
himself of my generosity. -
1 propose ; therefore, to submit this question to,
the candid judgment of the House and the coun
try„whether such conduct as his in this case does
not clearly beVrsty a deliberate purpose to .bring on
a personal collision-between himself and inn with
out cause; and whether this is not conduct unbe
coming a gentleman or member of this House,
and worthy'only of ablackguard and a scoundrel.
(Cries of "Order!"l •
Mr. RICHARDSON. i call the gentleman to
order. This is not the Place to indulge, in any
such language. -
The SPEAKER. No further debate is in order.
Mr. FOUKE. One word.
Mr. RICE, of Maine. I -oloject.
The SPEAKER. Debate is not in order. •
Mr. FOUKE. "'shall not make any debate;
bait „I will say [" Ordei!" " Order V'] _that, the
member from Kansas. j" Order!"] has proved
himself to
,be"(" Order!" " Order."] a disgrace
to his State, a disgrace tohis station, a disgrace to
humanity itself, and unworthy of the association
of gentlemen. [Shouts of " Order!" "Order!"]
INTRODUCTION OF BILLS
MrSVALLANDIGHA.M. I call for the reg
ular order of business.
The SPEAKER. .The-Chair will proceed to
call the States for the introduction of bills for ref
erence only.
AGILICTILTGRAL COLLEGE LANDS
Mr. MORRILL, of Vermont, introduced a bill
donating publio lands to the several States and
Territories which may provide colleges for the
benefit of agriculture or thg' mechanic arts; which
was read a.first and'second time, referred to the
Committee on Public Lands, and ordered to be
printed. - •
IEBEL PENSIONERS
Mr. DUELL introduced a bill authorizing the
Secretary of the Interior to strike from the pen
sion roll the names of such persons as have taken
up arms against the Government, or who have in
any manner encouraged the rebels; which was
rend a first and second time.
Mr. DUELL. I ask the unanimous consent to
put that bill on its passage.
No objection being made, the bill was ordered
'to be engrossed and read a third time; and being
engrossed, it vai.riccordingly read the third time
and passed. •
Mr. , DUELL-Moved to reconsider the vote by
which the bill was passed; and also moved that
the motion tireconsider be laid upon the table.
The latte?niotion was agreed to.
.WEST POLNT 'CADETS
Mr. ALLEN, leave being granted, introduced
a bill to I•egulate the admission .of cadets at the
Military Academy at West Point; which was read
a first and second time; by its title, and referred
to the Committee on Military Affairs.
31ESSAGE FIIOSI TEE SENATE.
A message was received from the Senate,, by
Mr. FORWET, their Secretary, nOti lying the House
that that body had passed bills of the following
titles, in which he was directeXto ask the concur
rence of the House, namely: ,
A bill (No. &2) further to promote the efficiency
of the Navy; and'
A bill (No. 83) s relative to courts•martial in the
Army.
UNITED STATES ARMORY AT CHICAGO
Mr. ARNOLD. I ask learn to present a peti*
tion. _ • -
The SPEAKER'. That is not now in order; and
petitions. and memorials can be referred under
the rules. Nothing is now in order except the call
of States for bills and joint resolutions on leave.
-Mr. ARNOLD. lam aware that pititions can
not be preseuted in open House, but I have one
here of more than usual importance.
The SPEAKER. Defiate is not in order. •
Mr. ARNOLD. I ask unanimous consent to
present it. It is a petition of eighteen thbusand
citizens •0f the State of Illinois ,for the-establish
ment of a national armory and founder) , at Chi
cago, in that Siete.
Mr. VALLANDIGHAM. I.objeet, and insist
on the regular order of business. •
'Mr. ARNOLD. Then I will preserit it under
the rules.
UNION lIIISONEBS
-Mr. GRANGER; leave being granted, intro
duced a bill, for the relief of the Union soldiers
now held as prisoners at Richmond, Virginia, and
elsewhere im the rebel States; which was read :a
first and second time by its title, and referred to
the Committee on Military? Affairs. - '
Mr. GRANGER. I will, with the consent of
the House make a brief statement in reference to
the bill which] have just introduced.
The SPEAKER. Debate is not in order.
- - - •
Mr: WASHBURNE. Let me make a short
explanation. 1 hope the House will hear me.
Mr. VALLANDIGHAfiI. We , will get along
fastest by adhering to the'rules.
Mr. WASHBURNE. 1 will not be a minute.
I desire to make a very brief statement. •
Mr. VALLANDIGHAM. The bill has been
referred to the Committee on Military Affairs, and
is therefore disposed of for.tke present.
Mr. WASHBURNE. The gentleman from
Michigan ought to be beard, in justice to the suf
fering-Union soldiers now.confined at Richmond,
Yitgmia. He has a letter from, one of them,which
it is important we should hear.
:Mr.VALLANDIGHAM: To-morrow morn
ing the Commiuee.on•Military Affairs can report
that this is a suhject which ought to be considered
immediately. It ought to be' examined, and put
in .a shape which isjust and proper.
M 5, WASHBURNE. Does the gentleman re-
use to ear the atateinent or a prisoner atitich
mond'on the subject? ' . : • •
Mr. VALLANDIGHAM: Ido not refuse to
hear the statement of any prisoner. I wanted like
statements read months. ago, as .they ought to
have been read. Ido not object, hull do not wish
too much time occupied by.matteri clearly out of
order.
Mr. WASHBCONE. 1 , desire to state that
have scen tt letter which thigentleman from Mich-,
igen hoe received from one of the Unio'n prisoners.
at Richmond,Virginiti,upon which be has fonnded
the bill he has just introduced. The letter is from
a verLintelligent gentleman, and deem it due
(torn the Representatives of the people that that
-letter Should be read in this Hall. .1 hope that
there will beim objection to itsbeing read by the
Clerk. ,
Mr. VALLANDIGHAM. •Let it be reflirred
with the bill to the Committee onjlttili tory Affairs+.
Mr. GRANGER. There being no objection,
I will send the letter to the Clerk to be read. I
only aak.him to omit the name of the writer.
Mr. RICHARDSON. ' I want to hear the letter
read.
The Clerk read, as follows:
. Ricnatosn, Weems,. December 4 , 196 i. .
Desk bin : I take thellbeny of addressing you—the Rip.
resents:five of the first congressional district—in behalf of
seventy-two sons of Michigan, forty of whom are from your
Imfnedlate district, fourteen hailing (roakyout own county
of Washtenaw; they are widely dispersed, a portion being
In Charleston, and others In Richmond, Coluaibla, New
Orleans, and Tuscaloosa, and some will hi a few days be
sent to Salisbury, North Carolina. They are a portion of
three thousandloyal citizens of the United States now held
as prisoners of war. Most of them have been in close con
finement under very unfavorable circumstances over four
months. I might picture to you their present condition,
but. deem It unnecessary. You can readily conceive how
men taken—generally without money—with clothing ori
ginally of poor quality, having already Intolihree months!
service In the field, will naturally appear :per four months
more have passed; In most cues without% change of any
garment: Can you believe they are-In a condition .to
stand the changes of even a southern climate? We know
they are not, and unless something is done for their relief,
their deeimatectranke next spring will tell a fearful tale. 1
have just read a note from an educated young man of a
northern city who left ti situation as bank clerk and enlisted
as a private to serve his country. lie was wounded and
taken prisoner at Manassas: lie says: ae I have no shirt or
socks, and suffer much from cold and damp, and at every
breath It seems as if a knife werephinged!into "me; I can
not stand It Much lunger." .• Tidal:, but one ease of /ILI,FY
that I might Cite bad I time. I have seen sights that made
my heart bleed. lam convinced that Many are now-sus
tained only by the hope that It will not much longer con
tinue thus, and that a speedy exchange will eentore them to
their (Sniffles and friends, from whence, alter a restoration
to hialth, they may return to the service of their country:
It Is,sald hope deferred maketh the soul sick." Let it be
understood there Is to be no exchange; Ind many . would
welcome death.
Now let me ask, Is all this necessary? The question
naturally arises with us, has not as touch 'been conceded
already as would be in afull eichango of prisoners? Flags
of truce are of almost daily occurrence ; prisoners have been
taken In arms against the Government, with stipulations,
dace boncitly carded out, that they would be received and
treated as prisoners of war; paroles have 4teen recognized
at our capital, and tidy-seven of our prisoners returned to
their homes and friends, by order of General McClellan;
prisoners have been exchanged, with all the usualformal
lUes,on the Mississippi, and naval o ffi cers ern even now on
their way home, In exchange for an equal ntunber sent here
by our Government, or imagents. Of course, In our isolated
• position, we cannot know all the different aspe cts In which
judge the question will present itself; we ran only of acts
thaLcome under our observation, and reason that the sane
rale that will exchange one will exchange as army.' 1 ad-'
run we are anxious on the subject,ntid we have cause babe.
//amenity prowling and justice demands It. I believe ! speak
the sentiments of an 'here whet> ;say we do not wish in
embarrass the action venni Cr:Wet/intent in the least, but
we cannot understand how a full exchange will Ile more
Injury than acts already done. ,We believe belligerents can
be recognized Without involving independence. Surely the
war cannot continue for years, or even months, longer,
without this question becoming so Important that It must
he met, and an exchange effected; then why delay what
must inevitably be?' We enlisted to eerie our country, and,
if necessary, &Tor it, but we would prefer different death
than the one awalthrg ILthere. I cannot any all I would,
for obvious reasons ; but I Can say we are suffering from
neglect, so much so that it Is theimbJect of newspaper para
graphs here and elsewhere. It makes my facchum to read
them, and Mink that over four - months have passed, and
nothing done for our relief.
We have frequently heard that clothing was to be sent
to us; but Winter has come and no clothing, but sickness
has. It has becn.said that the confederates sent the most
destitute to the far South, from motives of hwitanity. How-
ever that luay be, I saw some gosvithout shirts, and many
without shoes or socks, and even some with drawers and
no pants. lam sorry to say this and perhaps my doing so
Will prevent this reaching you; but I trust It will not. I
may be treading on forbidden ground, but will ray that I
believe this would not be if clothing could be obtained here;
'it could not, in sufficient quantity. Southern troops are
clothed by contributions from home, of home-made cloth.
Those that have means to purchase, ems find limited quan
tities; at extravagantly high prices—beyond the means of
most of its. Clothing can be sent safely. The'Massacku
setts men, having been here but about six weeks, have
already beeri supplied with fulloittfits from thelffriends at
home. Cannot Government send as welt as they? The con
federates have recently furnished quilts as substitutes for
blaekets; which. could not be obtained, and straw sacks,
which is some improvement; but we still need blankets
and clothing, esPeclany pants;shirts, drawers, socks, and
shoes.
I ant sorry to trouble you with this matter; but thinking
your position would enable you to do moth, I venture to do
s 6. If we are to remain here, and GovernmooLtdo. , asts
wpoodlif provide an ear want,: win you, please tall the at
tention of such citizens of Michigan as may be In Wash
ington to this matter? 1 know that an dupes.% to the people
of our State would be promptly met; and 1 feel assured that
our necessities would have been attended to ere this; had it
been known that it was required, and could be done. What
Is done should'he at once.-
-
•
Veryzespectfull,f yours,. • • • •.
lion. B. F. GRANGER.
Should there be any persons in Washington from Ypsi
lanti; please show them this letter.
I inclose a slip cut from, this morning's paper: •
" tvrcalso.—The Yankee prisoners of war In this city
re beginning to feel the want of proper clothing. Con ;
gressman Ely has very generously offered, we learn, to ex
•pend (OAP of his private means, which arcquite ample,
in order to purchase them necessary clothing; but his fel
low-prisoners decline to permit him to do that which their
Government should,long since, have recognized as a bind
ing duty..
Mr..VALLA:NDIGHAM. I. move that that
letter be referred to the Committee on Military
Affairs. I desire to say that !consider it a wise,
sensible, and judicious letter; but that when some
months ago Indvocitted the same views that are I
contained in it in regard to.the exchange of pris
oners and other belligerent acts and rights, I was
denounced as a " traitor." I am happy now .to.
observe the pi:ogress of public opinion and con
viction al read y,thodg h but"short time be passed."
The question was taken, and the motion was
agreed to. •
Mr. WICKLIFFE'.- I desire to make a stste
ment in vindication of the Government.
The SPEAKER. Debate is not in order un
less by unanimous consent.
There was no objection.
Mr. WICKLIFE. I desire to make-a state
ment in vindication of the Government on this sub
ject. 1 was in the quartermaster's department,
transacting business with it, when I was told by,
the Quartermaster General that he had sent one
thousand full suits of clothing to Richmond for
the Union soldiers imprisoned there.
• Mr. ALDRICH. Lerrne correct the gentle
man.' I was present when thaw:mversation took
place, and be stated that he had sent South, for
the Union soldiers, two thousand full suits of clo th
ing, underclothes, stockings, i&c.
Mr. WICKLIFFE. I thank the gentleman
for his correction. I have made this statement
with .a view that the world , might not suppose
that the Government was negligent of its duty to
the Union soldiers who were prisoners with-the
rebels.- •
Mr: VALLANDIGHAM. Exceptin the mat
ter of exchange.
Mr:DIVEN. In this connection, Mi. Speaker,
I• wish the Clerk to read.a ahsort extract from a
letter of the brother. of Captain Ricketts„ who, is
a prisoner in the hands of the enemy:
The Clerk read as follows: •
"Do let me hear from you at nom, as from last accounts
my poor brother was a great sufferer, and the surgeon
feared a decline, without change of air and scene, as he has
been alremly reduced to death's door by his wounds. The
attentions of my sister to the sick and wounded of our Army
now In the hospital at Richmond, where she hat been able
to attend to many of their little wants, and soothe many a
broken spirit separated from family and home, might have
some little effect upon the Government to look favorably
on this Individual mtge.',
NOATII OF ALLEGIANCE
Mr. GRANGER, leave, being granted, intro-.
duced a bill supplementary to "An act requiring
an oath of allegiance and to support the Consti
tution of the United States to be administered to
certain persons in the civil service of the United
States,' approved August 6, 1861; which, was
.read a first and second time by its title, and re
ferred to the Committee on the Judicihry.
DACOTA HALF-BREEDS
Mr. ALDRICH, leave being granted, intro
duced a bill for the relief of certain half-breeds or
mixed bloods of the Desoto or *ions nation of
Indians and their grantees; which was read a first
and second time by its title, and referred to the
Committee on. Public Lands.
REPAIR OP ,NEW MEXICAN MILITARY ROAD..
Mr. WATTS, leave being granted, introduced
it bill for the improvement and repair of the mili
tary road through the Raton Mountains, between
Fort Wise, in the Territory of Colorado, and
Fort' Union, in the Territory- of New Mexico;
which was read a first arid second time brits
title, and referred to the Committee on Military
Affairs. •
VOLUNTEER COMPANIES OF, NEW MEXICO
Mr, WATTS, leave being granted, oleo intro
duced a bill to provide for the pskmencof certain
volunteer companies in the serviceof the United
States in the war with Mexico, and in the sup
pression of Indian disturbances id New Mexico;
which was read a first and second time by its
Affair&
BRANCH MINT AT NEVADA._
CRADLEBAUGH, leave being granted,
introduced: a bill to establish a branch mint in•the
Territory of.Nevada;"whieli was read a first and
second tune by its title, and referred to the Com
mittee on Commerce. ,
WASIIINGTON PASAENGER. BAUMAy.
Mr. TRAlN,lealic being granted, introduced
a bill incorporating the Washington and George
town Railway Company; which was read a knit
and second. time by its title, and referred to the
Committee for the District of Columbia.
' CLERKTO. JUDICIARY , COMMITTER.. - 1 -
Mr. HICKMAN o ff ered the following resolti.
On; which was read, considered, and:agreed to:
Rewired, That the Committee on the ,tudletary be nit
thorised to employ a clerk for said comtnlttee - during the
present Crouton ofthe Thirty-Seventh Congress at the µsoil
coMpensatlon of four dollars per diem for the time-actually
employed. • • •
Mr. HICKMAN moved to reconsider the vote
by which the resolution was adopted;' and also
moved that the motion to reconsider bd laid upon
the table;. - - . -
The latter motion was ogreed to. ' ,
,
- ' ' . lIEDECCA F. SCOTT.. ' ; I
i
Mr. THOMAS, of Maryland, the fol
lowing -resolution;' which was read, considered
and agreed to:' • - -
•
.. _ • i
Resolved That th e Committee on Pensions beinstructed
to Inquire' into the expediency,of granting a pension to Set
beeea F. Se
m i, widow of the late J. B. Scott, major In the
Armyy of the United Buttes, wan died at San Francisco
California, November W, IWO— • . !
, LIDERIA—CAPTURED AFRICANS.
Mr: THOMAS, of Maryland, also introduced
the following resolution., which vas read,. eon.
eidered, and agreed to:
Raoircd, That the Secretary of the Interior be requested
to communicate to this fleece copies of an contracts - of
ameemention file In Ids Departinent between the Govern;
them of the United States and the American-Colonizationj
Society, for. the transportation to Liberia, and for their sub,
sistenee there; of captured African's who have been taken
from vessels engaged in. the clove trade, by armed ships . of
the United States. .
'SEIZURE' OP MASON AND SLIDELL.
Mr. VALLANDIGHAM Introduced the rot-
‘..
lowing resolution , upon which he demanded the
rrvevioutr question: •
•
• Whereas the Secretary of the Navy has reported to this:
House that Captain : Charles Wilkes, In command of the
San Jacinto, im armed public vessel of the United States,,
did, on the filth of November, 1851, Cu the high seas, Inter
cept the Trent, British mail steamer, and forcibly remove'
therefrom James M. Mason and John Slidell—. disloyal dt
liens, leading conspirators, rebel enemiesi and dangerous
men' —who, with their, suite, were on their way to Europe
"to remote the cause of the instnieetlon," claiming to be'
embassadora from the so-called confederate States•, and,
whereas the Secretary of the Navy has further reported to
this House, that a the prompt. And decisive action of Cap
tain Wilkes on this occasioty merited and received the
emphatic apprdvat.of the Department ,p and moreover, in
a public letter has thanked Captain Wilkes for the. het;
and whereas this House, on the first day of tho Hesston,
did propose to tender the thanks of Congress to Captain '
Wilkes, thrhls " brave, adroit, and patriotic conduct in the
arrest and detention of the traitors James M. Mason and
John Slidell;" and whereas further, on the same day,iitits'
House did rearrest the President to confine the said James.
M. Mason and John 'Slidell in . the cells of convicted felons
:until certain military officers of the United Santo., captured
And held by the .so-called confederate States(should be
treated as prisoners of war: Therefore,
•, Be it resolved has the sense of this house,) That It IS the
dlity of the President . ..comity firmly maintain the stand thus
taken, approving and adopting the act of Captain Wilkes .
in spite of nny menace nr demand of the British Goreht
merit t and thatshis House pledges Its full support to hio
ht upholding note the honor and vindicattrerthe courage or
the C:ovrnment hod people of the United States against a
foreign Power.•
Mr. FENTON. Is it 'in . brder to move to refer
that resolution to the Committee on Foreign At
fairs? .
The SPEAKER. The 'gentleman from Ohio
called the previous question'. •
th COX. / beg my. colleagtie to.withdrant
at call for' moment.
Mr. VALLANDIGHAM. lavould, if debate
were in order.: I hope no objection will be made
to the resolution. The time has now come for
the, firmness of this House to be practically tested,
and I hope there will be no shrinking. - ,
The SPEAKER. No'debate is in order. rr
Mr. - VALLANDIGHAM. We have heard
the first growl of the• British lion, and now let us
see who will cower. "
Mr. RICHARDSON. I WWI to appeal to the
gentleman from Ohio to withdraw the demand for
the previous question.
.Mr. VALLANDIGHAM. If debate were in
order, I would with pleasure; but as debate will
send the resolution'over, I must decline.
Mr. FENTON. I hope the previous question
nost moondawis and 1 Ihor, tiltz sugolaktign
will lie referred to the Committee on Military .
Affairs.
Mr. VALLANDIGHAM. . The previous res
olutions upon this subject were not referred to
the Committee on Foreign Affairs, as ought to
have - been done before committing the Houae • on
the subject, and why shall this now, When the
danger is upon us? I desire to know What has
caused this change in gentiment? Is it the liireign
intelligence of this morning? I offered the reso
lution in good faith, and will adhere to it to the
last, though rregretted and would have opposed
it, had I had the power,. sod prevented the Ad
ministration and this - -House from the folly of
taking a position in adtmce upon it. But it is
now too late to retreat. •
The question recurring on the demand for the
pievious question,
Mr. HOLMAN called foftellers.
Tellers were,not ordered
--, - -
'The previous gquestion was not svonded.
Mr. F'ENTON. • I ninve to refer {he resolution
td the ComMittee on Foreign Affairs.
, Mr. VALLAN.DIGHAM. I demand the yeas
and nap) upon that motion. ' -
' Mr. COX obtained the floor.
Mr. ROSCQE CONKLINOcaIIed for-the read
ing of the resolution.
The resoltition was again read.
H
Mr. VAILANDIGAIII: - . I demand the tire-
VlO l / 8 question upon'the motion to refer. . -
The SPEAKER. The gentleman from Ohio
[Mr. Cox] was 'recognized by the Chair,ns upon
the-floor, and he is now entitled to it.
Mr. FENTON. How did the' gentleman from
Ohio obtain the floor?,
The SPEAKER. He,was recognized imme- -
diately after the gentleman from New York made
the .motion to refer.
Mr. FENTON.' I did'not intend to yield the
ilcior. 1 intended to. call the previous question.'
Tlie SPEAKER. The gentleman 'from New
York moved to refer the resolution; the gentle
min from Ohio [Mr. VALANDIGIIANI]. called for'
the yens and nays; and then the gentleman•from
Ohio [Mr. Cos was recognized by the,Cfmair;
but he gave way to hear the resolution read.
Mr. COX. I intended to debate the question
somewhat.
The' SPEAKER. Then the rcaolutibn goes
over.
Mr. COX. Of course, then,.l shall not de
bate it.
Mr. VALLANDIGHAM. ..f - ntove the pre:
-
vivo's question. . _ ,
: Mr. LOVEJOY. Mr. Speaker—
The SPEAKER. Debate is notin order.
s ill\yi
Mr. LOVEJOY. I wish to a k a question.
The SPEAKER. No debate
. inkrder.
'Mr. LOVEJOY . Task the unan oui Consent
of the House to make one remark. • .
Mr. COX; If the House will give me three
minutes,l will not object.
.
• The SEAKER. Is there any objection to the
gentleman from Illinois asking kquestion ? The
Chair hears none.' .. ' .
Mr. LOVEJOY. If I understand the resolu
tiqn, it pimply affirms that a certain resolution
.
was proposed. .
. ,
• Mr. VALLANDIGHAM. ' The resolution
paased the House, and it is now in the Senate.
The previous question was seconded; and the
mein question ordered to be put.
The question recurring on the demand for the
__
yeOs and nays ,
Mr. VALLkNDIGHAM called for tellers..
Tellers were ordered; and Messrs. Wortcr.srEn
and Le year:4 were appointed. • ' • ~
The R ..
ode divided; and the tellers reported—
. -
ayes twenty ? a sufficient - number. '
The question was taken; and it was deeided in
the affirmativeyeaa 109; nayi 16; as follows:
YEAS—Messrs., Aldrich, Alley, Arnold, Babbitt, Joseph
Bally, Baker, Baser, Beaman, Biddle, Bingham, Francis
P.' Blair, Jacob 11. Blair, Samuel S. Blair, Blake, IVllliain
G. ildroum, Buffintiin Burnham , Calvert, Chamberlin,
Cobb, Colfax, Roscoe (.7onkling, Cooper ' Coviide,
Hails, Delano, Diven, Buell, Dunlap, Dunn ; Edwards
Ellin, English,' Fenton, Fessenden, FranchotFrank,' '
Gooch, Granger, Crider, Gurley, Bale ?larding, Harrison,H
Hickman, Htchins, Julian, Francis I,V. Kellogg, William Ke l logg, Knepp Law, Lazeari Leary, Lehman, Loomis,
Lovejoy, McKnight,.lllePherson, Mallory, Kaman], mew_
simi, Mitchell, Moorhead, Justin B. Morrill, Noell, Odell,
Glin t Patton, Perry, T. G. Phelps, Pike,Pomemy, Porter,
Alexander 11. Rice, John H. Wee, Itielardson, Edward B.
Rollins, Sargeant, Sedgwick,. Shanks, Shef field, Shelia
barger, Sherman, Smith, Spaulding, William G. Steele,
Stevens, Benjamin F. Thomas Francis Thoinas, - TMin
TrimbleTrowbridge Van Horn:Venne,Wadsworth, Wall;E. P. Watson,W Ward Washburn, Wheeler, Whaley, Al
bert S. White, Wickliffe, Wilson, Windom, Woodruff,
Worcester,and Wright —lo 9.
NAYSMesos. Allen, George.H. Browne, Frederick A.
Conkllng, Cox, Cravens, Ilalght, - Holinan, Morris, Noble
Nugeo, Peruileton; Sind, John B. Steele, vattandtahata
, Varidever, and Chinon A. While-IG. , .
i
„ .
. 'So the resolution wan referred the Commit
tee on Foreign Affair's.
Mr. VALLANDIGHAM. I rise to a.priv
ileged question. I move to reconsider the .vote .
last taken; and I would ask the Chair whetlijr
the question is debatable?
The SPEAKER. it is not, . .
Mr. VALLANDIGHAM. What prin
ciple not?' - •
The. SPEAKER. • The. resolution itself not
being 'debatable, a motion to reconsider is not
debatable.
Mr. VALLANDICHAM: Sn I presumed;
but will now move to lay the motion to reconsider
upon the table. -
• The motion was agreed to.
SOLDqtta 91V, 1812.
The SPEAKER: The hour of one o'clock
having arrived, the House will proceed to .the
considemtion of the bill•set down for this time,
being the bill reported by the Committee on Mil
itary Affairs,-to authorize the raising of a volun
teer force for the defense of Kentucky.
Mr, BLAKE. I ask the unanimous consent
of the House to introduce a resolution. '
• Mr. WICKLIFFE. I hope the gentleman will
Lot consider me as objecting; but the special order
is very important, and if that bill is to be passed at
all, I want it pissed quickly..
Mr. BLAKE. It will take but a moment to
pass the resolution. .
The resolution was read for information, as
follows: I •
. Reserecd, That the CoMmittee of balms be Instructed
to inquire Into the expediency of providing by law for the
payment of claims of soldiers of the war of 1812, witnee
claims have been audited and certificates Wiled therefor,
Its pursuance„of a law of the State of 'New York; passed
401 . 80859, and report by bill or Otherwise.,
Mr. FENTON. Ido not object to the resolu
tion; but I cannot see whlif the Committee of
Claims have to do with the subject. The State of
New York M no formal manner have applied to
the Government of the United States for the pay
mentof dint class ofelaima to wiiich the resolution
refeK; and the Committee of Claims could hardly
act in the premises without the subject, in some
such manner, being. properly brought before it.
. NO objection, being made, the resolution. was
received ,and referred to the Committee of Claims.
VOLUNTEER FORCE FOR. KENTUCKY.
The House proceeded': to the.eonsidenttion of
the special order, which was a bill (H. It. No.
137) to authorize the raising of a volunteer force
for the better protection of Kentucky, upon which
the gentleman-from Kentucky [Mr..Wiescztvtil
'urns entitled to the floor.
Mr. WICKLIFFE: Ido not design to dis
cuss this bill, unless it is in_answer to questions
by way of explanations,
. Mr. LOVEJOY. I hope,Mr. Speaker, that this
bill will not receive the sanction of this House.
In the'first place, according to official returns, we
-have a standing Army of between six and, seven
hundred thofisand men. I shall not indulge in
-any criticism in reference to where they are placed
or how they are used; but this one fact stands otit
before the country, that this large - aggregate of
force is at the disposal of the Executive; and in
my opinion, it is amply sufficient foe all the pur
poses of this . war. I understand from the state
ment of the gentleman from Kentucky that the
object of raising these twenty iliousa.al additional
- troops is to place them in the rear of-our advan
cif)... Army, taking it for granted - that we are to.
mac an advance through the country, which I
hope certainly will prove true; and that this force
is necessary to be phiced in the rear of our Army,
but for what specific purpose-is not mentioned.
Perhaps I am incorrect; I believe it is tortuppress
insurrection—irliether it is insurrection among
the slaves or among other elasseti'ds not distinctly
stated.
Now, my point is this: I am willing to vote all
the men and all the money that are needed in de
fense of the country, and in defense of true, and
to al men anywhere within the limits of the• Un
ited States, but I insist that we have more soldiers
now than can be used. If we ha - ve sixty thousand
soldiers irt.Ken Lucky and thereabouts, advancing,
and we need twenty thousand--more to protect
them as they.,march, a to keep up the line - of
communication, twenty thousand more can be or
dered from the Potomac, or frbm some otherAunr
ter, for I do not know where all our.soldiers art
now.
- . I understand that the Secretary of War does
not deem this force. necessary. 1 hope that will
be borne in mind bythe members when they come
to vote. The commanding general does , not deem
this force necessary*: :It has not. been asked for
by the appropriate officers of the Government, and
therefore; upon the ground that this additional
roreefitiot necessary ,we having not more soldiers
than we know what to; do vitt, I am opposed to
this bill. .
Mr. F. A. CON - KLING. I desire to ask the
gentleman from Mina it'lluestion. Did he•state
that he had information that the Secretary of War
and the Commander-in-Chief both have Stated
that this force is not by them deemed to be fleets=
tiny? -
-
' Mr. LOVEJOY. Iso understand it. I under= .
stand that that is their opinion. ' - • •
' 141 r, WICKLIFFE,. From wit . = ?'
Mr. LOVEJOY. From reliiihle sources, sir,
Mr. WICKLIFFE. -. Did you understand it .
from•either of them individually?
Mr. LOVEJOY, I did, air. lleyond that, I
[think the mink of raising these troops improper.'
!Mute need twenty thousand more soldiers, and the
'proper authorities will say it,,l will vote theme but
!I deem it very undesirable that soldiers shall be
Imised in this mode. •In the first place, it is pro
posed to enlist them for only twelve months. If ive•
enlist soldiers, it should,be for'the war, or at least
!for a term of three years., I' think that our Army
'should be a:unit. I urn in - favor of abolishing the
;distinction between what .is. termed the regular
Army and the volunteer force, and whenever an
individual is enlisted in the service of the United
!States, let hint belong to the one Arrriy of the
United States. The weakness of the revolution-
I n
ry army, and the weakness of the army in. the
Mexican war; was that when we needed the sol
dier most their term of service had just expired.
IWe have suffered now from the three• months'
*ervice. In the way in which we have carried, on
!this war we cannot expect to finish it in twelve
Ittihad's, and just at the time we need this force
it Kentucky their term of 'service will, perhaps,
rave expired, and it will again bring us into those
ifficulues from which' wehave suffered before.
Again: this force, if raised, is .to be , officered,
a I understand it, by the military board of Ken
tucky. Who that board is, Ido not know, and
Rio one knows. The War Department: or the
general commanding are even to make the briga
dier generals of this force, according to the pro-
Visions of this bill. • .
t Mr. BLAIR, of Missouri. The gentleman is
incorrect in stating that the military board makes
the brigadier generals of this force. They arc
made by the President of the -United States.
1 Mr. LOVEJOY. I read from the bill: •
d" The said regiments may be formed Into brigades at the
iscretion of the officer in command of the department, and
the brigadier's to command may be designated from time to
.lime by the Department of War, or the general in command
41 the department."
i " Mr. BLAIR, of Missouri. Of courso that means ]
. that these brigadiers are to be appointed,by the
President, and selected for that service by the
Department of War.
1 Mr, LOVEJOY. The Department of War or
the.general in command of the department.
1 Mr. BLAIR, of Missouri. The Department of
War spoken of there means the Department up
at the other end of the avenue: • • -
Mr. LOVEJOY.. No, it cannot do that, because
it says " the, Department of War or the generain
Command of the department;" that is, the:depart
ment of Kentucky, or the western department,
or• whatever it may be. It takes the appointment
of, the brigadier generals out of the hands of the
Eiecutive and puts it in the hands' of the War
Department, or whoever may be in - command of
he department..
. ,
Mr. BLAIR, of Missouri. It is intended that
ome generals already appointed by the President
ball be designated. That is the intention of the
ill. If the gentleman wishes,to male it more
ertain, he can amend the bill. • '
Mr. LOVEJOY. Well, Mr. Speakei, I am
Opposed to the Milian the grounds I have stated:
in the first, place, pat wood° not need any addi
tional force; that we have more soldiers now than
we know what to do with; that -this is recom-
Mended by no Department of theGovernment;and
that the enlistment is for a term of twelve' months,
and not for three years or during the war.. I op-
Pose it also for the reason that do not know what
particular purpose or service these troops arc to be
assigned to; hist' wheel within a wheel. Whether
it is to keep the slaves from. rising or *hat not I
do not.know; hht I am opPosed to raising any
troops.that are not regularly enlisted in the Array
of the United States, to serve any wliere,by whom
soever they may be commanded. If Kentucky
needs a force for ; police 'or municipal purposes,
riho is abundantly able to raise it. I understand
that Kansas is following the example of Kentucky
and is asking twenty thousand men for that State,
and each State will- want a force of its own, dis
tinct from 'the regularly enlisted Arthy of the_
United Stifles. I can see no reason why this hilt
;
.
Should pass; I hope it will not; and I shall, at
the twitter time, ask the yeas and nayis upon its
passage.
Mr, lIICICAILDSON.. I 'hope • this bill will
miss, sir, and l' will state to my colleague why I
think it ought to pass. °They propose to raise
twenty thousand troops in - Kentucky who are fa-.
sallies with all the country there; and the minfor
tune that has attended us heretofore has been that
we have not been familiar with the country :where
we have had to fight, There are some limitations
upon_ the raising of this force. They are to serve
M.Kentucky. They will make the moat efficient
soldiers there. Our base ofoperations has got to
be at Louisville'. Twenty thousand troops Re
necessary in order to guard our base and . .guard
the line that you have got to advance as' you go
into - the rebel States, and these arc the best - troops
that you-can get to guard that base, and to guard
that line:
..
Now, Mr. Speaker, I thrnot want 'my colleague
to bring me up to the confessional. It is a-very
easy matter for him to be very.patriotic. Behan
got no brothers; no . ousins, no nil: thews, no rel
atives, no friends, that are in the secession move
ment, Some of us, unfortunately, have. They
are doing very wrong; they are acting very badly.
We do not want to go-and hunt them` up to kill
them, but if they come upon our ground, sons or
fathers as themay be, they hive got to fall. • •
But my colleague objects to the bill because•it
allows these men to be enlisted for one year. I
am not sure, sir, that this is not the liest. service
. .
you can have. When they remain in service three
or five years, your men' fail Mid. sicken; they are,
not as good soldiers as they are when they come
fresh from the work-shop end the field. I think,
this force proposed by the gentleman from Ken- .
tuck yis the best force you can have. lam for
the bill. I think it ia the beat thing we can (lop
pass it, and pass it at once.
Mr. WICKLIFE.E. - Allow me, air, before' I
say anything in reference to this bill, to correct an
error of the reporter. I stated-the other day, when
this bill was under consideration, that Kentucky
had furnished more than her proportion of the
five hundred thousand troops. l see lam repOrted
1111 having itated that she has furnished thirty-seven
thousand. I said, or meant to say, twenty-seven
thousand troops, for three years. That is the
number she has furnished.
I do not know how to respond to the statement
of the gentleman from Illinois, that the Secretary
of War and the commanding, general are opposed
to this measure. I have not the pleasure of the.
acquaintance offlie - commander-m-chief of the
Army,-General McClellan, but.j stated the other
day that before (introduced dna measure to the
considerationOf the M tary'Commi nee I had con
stilted the Secretary of War, and that I had:under-,
'stood from him, upon an exp4anationwhick I gavr,
that he thodght such a corps, not exceeding twenty
thousand men, would be very important to operate
in Kentucky' while the main Army was operating
south. With u view; sir;of acting in accordance
With the-Administration upon this iubjeCt, I also
consulted the -President of the United States, and
received from liim.the Approbation not only of
himself, but also of his Cabinetrhe said that he
thought such a measure very important. It is not,
usual for me, in my conduct:is a Representative,
to consult thti Departments upon rhy own indi
vidual action and responsibility how I should be
governed. I eciuld. have bad this thing granted
Without the concurrence of :his body but focone
fact, and that is that the number of volunteers
which the Government" was authorized to accept
hate already been received, and we are not, in
consequence or that fact, in the position that M is
sourihaa been placed in by an:Army regulation
creating a similar three for a similar purpose in
that State. I deemed- it necessary, upon receiving
an application from the milittiry committee of the
Legislature of Kentucky; to apply to the Depart-.
ment for the raising of cicorpreol this kind, and
to offer a bill to the Committee on Military Af-e.
fairs and obtain - their consent.
.I have, after expla
nation and after inyestigation by them, obtained
theirunanimous vote: in favor , of it, and I hope it
will receke . the unanimous vote of this House,
except thatsof the gentleinan from Illinois. I did
not expect that, because he seems to have an idea .
that this is intended to do -something to the ne
gives in Kentucky. That is enough . for me.
Now, what \ arc the facts? I stated them the -
other day: I kriow not hoix the Arminf the United
States is stationed. I know not Wlimpart oT th e se
six hundred and sixty thousand Men have been.
ordered to the southern ports which we have con
quered, and which we hold possession of. I know
not how , inany may he required to occupy the
positions of which we have Arendy taken posses
sion, and to make further tulvance into that region
of- country. I see accounts of - daily arrivals of
n'tiops at those ports. I know not how many you
have on this line. I know not how many you
have on the line separating. Kentucky from 'I en
neisce, and in Missouri. But one thing I do know,
that whenever your Army . moies to take posses
' sion of Columbus—a position seized by the Ten
nesseans, and fortified since.the last adjournment
1 of Congress—you-will require every soldier that
1 can he hrTaight to bear to take that place and Make
1 an advance on Tennessee and down • the Missis
sippi river. • .
What is the state of facts now on this subject?
The general in command there, with 4 view, as I
infer, of strengthening his three lines, has called
from the eaStern part of the State the force of Gen
eral Nelson and the force of General Thomas.
But before - the time they reached the point at
which th 6, were ordered to congregate, we find—
if we are to trust to what we-see in the newspa
pers—a rebel general of Kentucky, General Mar
shall, Humphrey Marshall, [A Voice," Falstaff"
Alarshalld has invaded Kentucky from the Vir
gipitt line with A very strong force, and there - is
not a Federal soldier within a hundred miles of
that place. Zollictiffer has fallen back and invaded
Kentucky near the middle Tennessee line with a,
force, they say, of nine thousand men. Troops
have been ordered from' the main. rebel army to
reinforce the troops on that line near the county
'of Cumberland, where Zollicoffer is:
What is proposed by the bill under considera
tion? It is, that when the main Army gas ready
for its operation on Col Umb us, and to open di e-na v- '
lotion of the Mississippi river,..the rear of the
Army shill! be protected, and the people and homes
of Kentucky defended from inroads from Tennes
see and Virgin in, on these seven hundred odd miles
of border line. We think we will not want this.
force longer thin twelve months; and that we can.
raise them—suitable,ready, and prompt, to per
form that service. re do not say that they shall
not serve their country anywhere else. If the
commanding general deeths It necessary that they
shall be Moved elsewhere, they will fight where
ever an enemy is to be found; and I will guaran
tee that-they will do it well;andwill not stop to
Ingram whether they must cross the line. • .
Why is it proposed to limit the term of service
to.one year?. Because, as I remarked, I do not
believe this force will be needed longer than twelve
months. There is another reason. There are a
great many' en in Kentucky, married and single,
who would be willing, to enter into the service of
the country. for twelve months as volunteers, but
who are not willing to leave their hornesand
lies forthreeyears. - This has been fairly tested.
When it was first proposed to raise volunteers for
three months, it was found impossible to accept all .
who offered; but when it was settled that the vol
unteers should enlist fora period of three years,
there vs a,remarkable. MI. The twenty
seven thousand. Kentucky men who are. now in
the Army, to nerve for three 'years or-during-the
war, are mostly-single men. Some of them, how- ;
ever, arc married, and in,humble circumstances.
Allow me to say that I enter my protest herein
advance against the idea of the gentleman from
Illinois [Mr. Lin - rani] of making a regular Army.
out of the 'six hundred thousand volunteers. I
never, will consent to consolidate that army with
the regular soldierenf the United States.. Neierl
They, are my- ' reliance for the preservation of this
GOvernment.lf misfortune should overtake us,
and if,,as has been predicted as one of the con
sequences of this rebellion, some ambitious man
should attempt to turn the Army of the country
against itself, aria to establish a military dictator....
ship in the United States, I rely on the bible and
sinew of these six hundred thousand men and
their 'commanders to stand 'by the Constitution
and liberties of the country andmaintain the Gov
ernment as it is. Make them all regular soldiers,
and we' do not' knOw What may be the conga quences.
I amnot in favor of increasing the expenses of
the Army unnecessarily. The gentleman from •
Illinois seems to think that we have enough of
soldiera already. I supposehe thought so when,
he was at gull Run. But he found he was mis
taken. He was there, and saw that he had not
,:enough,.. When the Army marches with a view
of carrying out the piano! the campaign, l do'not
want that tt shall lave" to leave one temh of its
force behind to protect the base - of Operations. It
is unfortunately our destiny that Kentucky is to
be the base of operations Ili this campaign; and
unless I am mistaken in the signs of - the, times,
the first decisive battle , that is "to be fought in this
aainpaigh against this rebel litany will be fought
ion Kentucky soil, whilu you ardpinying the game
of "in and out" here on the Potomac river. I
want that this Kentucky force shall be organiztxl
to protect the carrying of the necessary supplies