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A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation: U.S. Congressional Documents and Debates, 1774-1875
Journal of the Confederate Congress --TUESDAY, April 8, 1862.
OPEN SESSION.
On motion by Mr. Haynes,
The Senate proceeded to the consideration of the resolutions of the House of Representatives in relation to the recent victory of our arms in Tennessee, and the death of Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston;
When,
Mr. Haynes (by leave) introduced as a substitute therefor,
A joint resolution (S. 7) of thanks for the victory at Shiloh, Tenn.; which was read the first and second times and considered as in Committee of the Whole; and having been amended on motion by Mr. Yancey, the resolution was reported to the Senate and the amendment was concurred in.
On motion by Mr. Clark,
Ordered, That the further consideration thereof be postponed until to-morrow.
The following message was received from the President of the Confederate States, by Mr. B. N. Harrison, his Secretary:
To the Senate and House of Representatives of the Confederate States of America:
The great importance of the news just received from Tennessee induces me to depart from established usage, and to make to you this communication in advance of official reports.
From telegraphic dispatches received from official sources, I am able to announce to you, with entire confidence, that it has pleased Almighty God to crown the Confederate arms with a glorious and decisive victory over our invaders.
On the morning of the 6th instant the converging columns of our army were combined by its commander in chief, Gen. A. S. Johnston, in an assault on the Federal army, then encamped near Pittsburg, on the Tennessee River. After a hard-fought battle of ten hours the enemy was driven in disorder from his position and pursued to the Tennessee River, where, under cover of his gunboats, he was at the last accounts endeavoring to effect his retreat by aid of his transports. The details of this great battle are yet too few and incomplete to enable me to distinguish with merited praise all of those who may have conspicuously earned the right to such distinction; and I prefer to delay my own gratification in recommending them to your special notice rather than incur the risk of wounding the feelings of any by failing to include them in the list. Where such a victory has been won over troops as numerous, as well disciplined, armed, and appointed, as those which have just been so signally routed, we may well conclude that one common spirit of unflinching bravery and devotion to our country's cause must have animated every breast, from that of the commanding general to that of the humblest patriot who served in the ranks.
There is enough in the continued presence of invaders on our soil to chasten our exultation over this brilliant success, and to remind us of the grave duty of continued exertion until we shall extort from a proud and vainglorious enemy the reluctant acknowledgment of our right to self-government. But an all-wise Creator has been pleased, while vouchsafing to us His countenance in battle, to afflict us with a severe dispensation to which we must bow in humble submission.
The last lingering hope has disappeared, and it is but too true that Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston is no more. The tale of his death is simply narrated in a dispatch just received from Col. William Preston in the following words:
"General Johnston fell yesterday at half-past two o'clock, while leading a successful charge, turning the enemy's right and gaining a brilliant victory. A minie
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ball cut the artery of his leg, but he rode on till from loss of blood he fell exhausted, and died without pain in a few moments. His body has been intrusted to me by General Beauregard, to be taken to New Orleans, and remain until directions are received from his family."
My long and close friendship with this departed chieftain and patriot forbid me to trust myself in giving vent to the feelings which this sad intelligence has evoked. Without doing injustice to the living, it may safely be asserted that our loss is irreparable, and that among the shining hosts of the great and the good who now cluster around the banner of our country, there exists no purer spirit, no more heroic soul, than that of the illustrious man whose death I join you in lamenting.
In his death he has illustrated the character for which, through life, he was conspicuous--that of singleness of purpose and devotion to duty. With his whole energies bent on attaining the victory which he deemed essential to his country's cause, he rode on to the accomplishment of his object, forgetful of self, while his very life-blood was fast ebbing away. His last breath cheered his comrades to victory. The last sound he heard was their shout of triumph. His last thought was his country's, and long and deeply will his country mourn his loss.
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
The message was read.
Ordered, That it be printed.
A message from the House of Representatives, by Mr. Lamar:
Mr. President: The Speaker of the House of Representatives having signed an enrolled bill and an enrolled joint resolution, I am directed to bring them to the Senate for the signature of their President.
The House of Representatives have concurred in the resolution of the Senate for the appointment of a committee of the two Houses "for the purpose of framing a joint rule indicating what questions shall be discussed in both bodies in secret session;" and have appointed on their part Mr. Curry of Alabama, Mr. Russell of Virginia, and Mr. Kenner of Louisiana.
On motion by Mr. Yancey, the vote postponing the further consideration of the joint resolution (S. 7) of thanks for the victory at Shiloh, Tenn., until to-morrow was reconsidered.
The Senate proceeded to consider the same; and
Ordered, That it be engrossed and read a third time.
The said resolution was read the third time.
Resolved unanimously, That it pass, and that the title thereof be as aforesaid.
Ordered, That the Secretary request the concurrence of the House of Representatives therein.
On motion by Mr. Burnett,
The Senate resolved into secret legislative session.
The doors being opened,
The following message was received from the House of Representatives, by Mr. Dixon, their Clerk:
Mr. President: The House of Representatives have passed a bill (H. R. --) to authorize the advance of a certain sum of money to the State of Missouri; in which I am directed to ask the concurrence of the Senate.
On motion by Mr. Clark,
The Senate proceeded to consider the bill (H. R. --) last mentioned; which was read the first and second times and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Mr. Phelan, from the committee, reported that they had examined and found truly enrolled the following bills and joint resolution:
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and the officers and men under his command, for gallant and meritorious services in the battle of Kernstown.
On motion by Mr. Sparrow,
The Senate adjourned until to-morrow morning at 12 o'clock.
SECRET SESSION.
The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the consideration of the bill (S. 32) to raise an army for the Confederate States of America, and to make rules for the government and regulation thereof.
On the question to agree to the amendment proposed by Mr. Haynes to the amendment offered by Mr. Oldham,
Mr. Oldham (by leave) withdrew his amendment.
On motion by Mr. Haynes, to amend the bill by striking out, line 5, section 1, the words "the war" and inserting in lieu thereof the words "three years, unless the war shall have been sooner ended,"
It was determined in the affirmative.
On motion by Mr. Haynes, to amend the bill by inserting, section 1, line 8, after the word "organization," the words "until they shall have served for three years from the period of their original enlistment,"
A motion was made by Mr. Clark to amend the same by adding thereto the words "or served under any State organization for six months or more since the commencement of the war;" and
It was determined in the negative.
On the question to agree to the amendment proposed by Mr. Haynes,
It was determined in the affirmative.
On motion by Mr. Yancey, to amend the bill by striking out, section 1, line 1, the words "all persons" and inserting in lieu thereof "all able-bodied white male citizens,"
A motion was made by Mr. Phelan to amend the same by striking out the word "able-bodied;" and
It was determined in the affirmative.
A motion was made by Mr. Hill to amend the proposed amendment by striking out the words "male citizens" and inserting in lieu thereof the word "men."
Pending the consideration of which,
Mr. Orr gave notice of his intention to offer, at the proper time, an amendment to the bill, by way of substitute therefor; which, by unanimous consent, he read in his place; and
On motion by Mr. Orr,
Ordered, That said amendment be printed for the use of the Senate.
Mr. Burnett also gave notice of his intention to offer a substitute for the bill under consideration; which, by unanimous consent, he read in his place; and
On motion by Mr. Orr,
Ordered, That said substitute be printed for the use of the Senate.
On motion by Mr. Simms,
The Senate resolved into open legislative session.
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