| PREVIOUS | NEXT | NEW SEARCH |
A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation: U.S. Congressional Documents and Debates, 1774-1875
Journal of the Confederate Congress --WEDNESDAY, March 1, 1865.
OPEN SESSION.
A message from the House of Representatives, by Mr. Dalton:
Mr. President: The House of Representatives have passed bills and a joint resolution of the Senate of the following titles:
The four bills last named with amendments; in which they request the concurrence of the Senate.
The House of Representatives insist upon their amendment, disagreed to by the Senate, to the bill (S. 166) to amend an act entitled "An act to provide and organize a general staff for armies in the field, to serve during the war," approved June 14,
Page 617 | Page image
1864, agree to the conference asked by the Senate on the disagreeing votes of the two Houses thereon, and have appointed Messrs. Clark, Cluskey, and Bridgers managers at said conference on their part.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives having signed sundry enrolled bills, I am directed to bring them to the Senate for the signature of their President.
On motion by Mr. Burnett, the vote on agreeing to the amendment of the House of Representatives to the bill (S. 208) to provide for returned prisoners of war was reconsidered.
The Senate resumed the consideration of the said amendment; and
On motion by Mr. Burnett,
Ordered, That the further consideration thereof be postponed until to-morrow.
Mr. Simms submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:
Resolved, That the select committee on exchange of prisoners be instructed to inquire into the treatment of returned prisoners, and that they also be instructed to inquire and report all neglect in transporting them to Richmond from the place of exchange, and who is responsible for such neglect, if there be any.
Mr. Caperton (by leave) introduced
A bill (S. 212) to regulate the compensation of the State collector of Virginia;
which was read the first and second times and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Mr. Semmes, from the Committee on Finance, to whom was referred the bill (S. 204) to authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to receive specie from the several States of the Confederacy and use the same for the benefit of said States, reported it with amendments.
The Senate proceeded, as in Committee of the Whole, to the consideration of the said bill; and the reported amendments having been agreed to, the bill was reported to the Senate and the amendments were concurred in.
Ordered, That the bill be engrossed and read a third time.
The said bill was read the third time.
Resolved, That it pass, and that the title thereof be as aforesaid.
Ordered, That the Secretary request the concurrence of the House of Representatives therein.
Mr. Wigfall (by leave) introduced
A bill (S. 213) to provide for the organization of the Bureau of Inspection;
which was read the first and second times and referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.
Mr. Burnett, from the Committee on Claims, to whom was referred the memorial of Peter James, jr., submitted a report (No. 9) accompanied by a bill (S. 214) for the relief of Peter James, jr.; which was read the first and second times and considered as in Committee of the Whole; and no amendment being proposed, it was reported to the Senate.
Ordered, That it be engrossed and read a third time.
The said bill was read the third time.
On the question,
Shall the bill now pass?
The vote having been taken by yeas and nays, conformably to the Constitution,
Page 618 | Page image
Those who voted in the affirmative are,
Messrs. Baker, Brown, Burnett, Caperton, Graham, Hunter, Johnson of Georgia, Johnson of Missouri, Maxwell, Oldham, Semmes, Simms, Vest, and Wigfall.
Those who voted in the negative are,
Messrs. Barnwell, Henry, Orr, Walker, and Watson.
So it was
Resolved, That this bill pass, two-thirds of the Senators present voting therefor.
Ordered, That the Secretary request the concurrence of the House of Representatives therein.
On motion by Mr. Graham, to reconsider the vote on passing the bill (S. 214) last mentioned,
It was determined in the negative.
Mr. Maxwell submitted the following resolution for consideration:
Resolved (the House of Representatives concurring), That the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives adjourn their respectives Houses, sine die, on Tuesday, the seventh day of March, instant, at twelve o'clock meridian.
The Senate proceeded to consider the said resolution; and
On motion by Mr. Johnson of Missouri,
Ordered, That it lie upon the table.
Mr. Caperton, from the committee, reported that they had examined and found truly enrolled bills of the following titles:
The President pro tempore having signed the enrolled bills last reported to have been examined, they were delivered to the Secretary of the Senate and by him forthwith presented to the President of the Confederate States for his approval.
The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the consideration of the bill (S. 199) to change the time for the assembling of Congress for its next regular session.
On motion by Mr. Johnson of Missouri, to amend the bill by striking out "October," line 6, and inserting "July,"
It was determined in the negative.
On motion by Mr. Wigfall,
Ordered, That the bill lie upon the table.
Mr. Semmes, from the committee of conference on the part of the Senate on the disagreeing votes of the two Houses on the bill (H. R. 229) to provide more effectually for the reduction and redemption of the currency, reported
That they are unable to agree upon the subject-matter of disagreement referred to, and they therefore ask to be discharged from the further consideration of the subject.
The Senate proceeded to consider the said report; and
The report was concurred in.
The Senate proceeded to consider the amendments of the House of Representatives to the bill (S. 106) to modify and amend an act to
Page 619 | Page image
regulate the destruction of property, under military necessity, and to provide for the indemnity thereof, approved March 17, 1862; and
Resolved, That they concur therein.
Ordered, That the Secretary inform the House of Representatives thereof.
The Senate proceeded to consider the amendments of the House of Representatives to the bill (S. 160) to allow missionaries in the Army rations, and, in certain cases, forage for one horse to post chaplains; and
Resolved, That they concur therein.
Ordered, That the Secretary inform the House of Representatives thereof.
The Senate proceeded to consider the amendment of the House of Representatives to the bill (S. 195) to authorize the Secretary of War to negotiate with the governors of the several States for slave labor; and
Resolved, That they concur therein.
Ordered, That the Secretary inform the House of Representatives thereof.
The Senate proceeded to consider the amendment of the House of Representatives to the bill (S. 191) to abolish the office of all officers engaged in discharging the duties of provost-marshals, except within the lines of an army in the field; and
Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.
A message from the House of Representatives, by Mr. Dalton:
Mr. President: The House of Representatives have passed bills of the following titles; in which they request the concurrence of the Senate:
The Speaker of the House of Representatives having signed sundry enrolled bills, I am directed to bring them to the Senate for the signature of their President.
The bills received this day from the House of Representatives for concurrence were severally read the first and second times; and
Ordered, That the bill numbered 394 be referred to the Committee on Finance and the bill numbered 397 to the Committee on the Judiciary.
The following messages were received from the President of the Confederate States, by Mr. B. N. Harrison, his Secretary:
Richmond, Va., February 28, 1865.
To the Senate and House of Representatives:
I herewith transmit for your information a communication from the Secretary of War, covering copies of several additional reports of military operations.
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
Richmond, Va., February 28, 1865.
To the Senate and House of Representatives:
I herewith transmit for your consideration a communication from the Secretary of War relative to the construction and repair of railroads necessary for military purposes, and submitting an estimate of the amount required to be appropriated for these objects during the year 1865.
I invite your special attention to the subject.
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
The messages were severally read.
Ordered, That they be referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.
Page 620 | Page image
The Senate proceeded, as in Committee of the Whole, to the consideration of the bill (H. R. 379) to levy additional taxes for the year 1865, for the support of the Government; and
After debate,
On motion by Mr. Oldham,
The Senate resolved into executive session.
The doors having been opened,
On motion by Mr. Orr,
The Senate adjourned.
SECRET SESSION.
A message from the House of Representatives, by Mr. Dalton:
Mr. President: The Speaker of the House of Representatives having signed an enrolled bill, I am directed to bring it to the Senate for the signature of their President.
The following message was received from the President of the Confederate States, by Mr. B. N. Harrison, his Secretary:
Richmond, Va., March 1, 1865.
To the Senate of the Confederate States:
I have received the following resolution, adopted by you in secret session on the 12th January last:
"Resolved, That the President of the Confederate States be requested to communicate to the Senate, if in his opinion it be not incompatible with the public interests, the cotemporaneous correspondence and documents mentioned in the letter of the Secretary of War of the third instant, communicating a copy of the report of General Joseph E. Johnston, called for by a resolution of the Senate."
In response, I herewith transmit for your information copies of my own correspondence with Gen. J. E. Johnston during the time he commanded the Army of Tennessee in the field, as well as of the correspondence had with him by the Department.
The letter of the Secretary of War, of this date, covering the papers forwarded by him, explains the delay in responding to your resolution.
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
The message was read.
Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.
On motion by Mr. Graham,
The Senate resolved into open legislative session.
EXECUTIVE SESSION.
The following messages were received from the President of the Confederate States, by Mr. B. N. Harrison, his Secretary:
Executive Department, Richmond, February 28, 1865.
To the Senate of the Confederate States:
Agreeably to the recommendation of the Secretary of War, I nominate the officers on the accompanying list to the grades affixed to their names, respectively.
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
No. 204.]War Department, Richmond, February 17, 1865.
Sir: I have the honor to recommend the following nominations for appointment in the Provisional Army of the Confederate States of America:
Page 621 | Page image
I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN C. BRECKINRIDGE,
Secretary of War.
To His Excellency Jefferson Davis,
President, etc.
Executive Department, Richmond, February 28, 1865.
To the Senate of the Confederate States:
Agreeably to the recommendation of the Secretary of War, I nominate the officers on the accompanying list to the grades affixed to their names, respectively.
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
No. 223.]War Department, Richmond, February 24, 1865.
Sir: I have the honor to recommend the following nominations for appointment in the Provisional Army of the Confederate States of America (for distinguished valor and skill):
I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN C. BRECKINRIDGE,
Secretary of War.
To His Excellency Jefferson Davis,
President, etc.
Executive Department, Richmond, February 28, 1865.
To the Senate of the Confederate States:
Agreeably to the recommendation of the Secretary of War, I nominate Capt. Powhatan Ellis, of Virginia, to be promoted to major in the Adjutant-General's Department, Provisional Army of the Confederate States of America.
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
Page 622 | Page image
No 224.]War Department, Richmond, February 24, 1865.
Sir: I have the honor to recommend the nomination of Capt. Powhatan Ellis, of Virginia, to be promoted to major in the Adjutant-General's Department, Provisional Army of the Confederate States of America, for duty in Department of Alabama, Mississippi, and Eastern Louisiana, to rank from February 18, 1865.
I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN C. BRECKINRIDGE,
Secretary of War.
To His Excellency Jefferson Davis,
President, etc.
Executive Department, Richmond, February 28, 1865.
To the Senate of the Confederate States:
Agreeably to the recommendation of the Secretary of War, I nominate the officers on the accompanying list to the grades affixed to their names, respectively.
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
No. 234.]War Department, Richmond, February 27, 1865.
Sir: I have the honor to recommend the following nominations for appointment in the Provisional Army of the Confederate States of America (for distinguished valor and skill):
I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN C. BRECKINRIDGE,
Secretary of War.
To His Excellency Jefferson Davis,
President, etc.
Executive Department, Richmond, February 28, 1865.
To the Senate of the Confederate Slates:
Agreeably to the recommendation of the Secretary of War, I nominate the officers on the accompanying list to the grades affixed to their names, respectively.
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
No. 230.]War Department, Richmond, February 27, 1865.
Sir: I have the honor to recommend the following nominations for appointment in the Provisional Army of the Confederate States of America:
I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN C. BRECKINRIDGE,
Secretary of War
To His Excellency Jefferson Davis,
President, etc.
Executive Department, Richmond, February 28, 1865.
To the Senate of the Confederate States:
Agreeably to the recommendation of the Secretary of War, I nominate Col. W. F. Perry, of Alabama, to be a brigadier-general in the Provisional Army of the Confederate States of America.
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
Page 623 | Page image
No. 229.]War Department, Richmond, February 27, 1865.
Sir: I have the honor to recommend the nomination of Col. W. F. Perry, of Alabama, to be brigadier-general in the Provisional Army of the Confederate States of America, to command a brigade, Army of Northern Virginia, vice General Law, relieved, to rank from February 21, 1865.
I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN C. BRECKINRIDGE,
Secretary of War.
To His Excellency Jefferson Davis,
President, etc.
Executive Department, Richmond, February 28, 1865.
To the Senate of the Confederate States:
Agreeably to the recommendation of the Secretary of War, I nominate Maj. A. H. Chalmers, of Mississippi, to be lieutenant-colonel of the Eighteenth Mississippi Battalion Cavalry, in the Provisional Army of the Confederate States of America.
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
No. 235.]War Department, Richmond, February 27, 1865.
Sir: I have the honor to recommend the nomination of Maj. A. H. Chalmers, of Mississippi, to be lieutenant-colonel of the Eighteenth Mississippi Battalion Cavalry, in the Provisional Army of the Confederate States of America (battalion increased to eight companies), to rank from February 21, 1865.
I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN C. BRECKINRIDGE,
Secretary of War.
To His Excellency Jefferson Davis,
President, etc.
Executive Department, Richmond, February 28, 1865.
To the Senate of the Confederate States:
Agreeably to the recommendation of the Secretary of War, 1 nominate Capt. R. M. Grinnell, of Louisiana, to be promoted to major in the Adjutant-General's Department, Provisional Army of the Confederate States of America.
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
No. 231.]War Department, Richmond, February 27, 1865.
Sir: I have the honor to recommend the nomination of Capt. R. M. Grinnell, of Louisiana, to be promoted to major in the Adjutant-General's Department, Provisional Army of the Confederate States of America, for duty with Heth's division, Army of Northern Virginia, vice Major Harrison, retired, to rank from February 2, 1865.
I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN C BRECKINRIDGE,
Secretary of War.
To His Excellency Jefferson Davis,
President, etc.
Executive Department, Richmond, February 28, 1865.
To the Senate of the Confederate States:
Agreeably to the recommendation of the Secretary of War, I nominate R. F. Notrebe, of Arkansas, to be adjutant of Shaver's Arkansas infantry regiment, in the Provisional Army of the Confederate States of America.
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
No. 236.]War Department, Richmond, February 28, 1865.
Sir: I have the honor to recommend the nomination of R. F. Notrebe, of Arkansas, to be adjutant of Shaver's Arkansas infantry regiment, in the Provisional Army of the Confederate States of America (an original vacancy), to rank from June 15, 1864.
I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN C. BRECKINRIDGE,
Secretary of War.
To His Excellency Jefferson Davis,
President, etc.
Page 624 | Page image
Executive Department, Richmond, February 28, 1865.
To the Senate of the Confederate States:
Agreeably to the recommendation of the Secretary of War, I nominate Thomas W. Cowles, of Alabama, to be an assistant quartermaster, with the rank of captain in the Provisional Army of the Confederate States of America.
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
No. 237.]War Department, Richmond, February 28, 1865.
Sir: I have the honor to recommend the nomination of Thomas W. Cowles, of Alabama, to be an assistant quartermaster, with the rank of captain in the Provisional Army of the Confederate States of America (report to Quartermaster-General for duty at Union Springs, Ala.), to rank from February 20, 1865.
I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN C. BRECKINRIDGE,
Secretary of War.
To His Excellency Jefferson Davis,
President, etc.
Executive Department, Richmond, February 28, 1865.
To the Senate of the Confederate States:
Agreeably to the recommendation of the Secretary of War, I nominate the officers on the accompanying list to the grades affixed to their names, respectively.
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
No. 220.]War Department, Richmond, February 22, 1865.
Sir: I have the honor to recommend the following nominations for appointment in the Provisional Army of the Confederate States of America:
I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN C. BRECKINRIDGE,
Secretary of War.
To His Excellency Jefferson Davis,
President, etc.
Executive Department, Richmond, February 28, 1865.
To the Senate of the Confederate States:
Agreeably to the recommendation of the Secretary of War, I nominate Capt. R. C. Gilchrist, of South Carolina, to be major of artillery in the Provisional Army of the Confederate States of America, under act approved January 22, 1862.
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
No. 227.]War Department, Richmond, February 25, 1865.
Sir: I have the honor to recommend the nomination of Capt. R. C. Gilchrist, of South Carolina, to be major of artillery (under act approved January 22, 1862) in the Provisional Army of the Confederate States of America, for duty in Department of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, to rank from February 18, 1865.
I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN C. BRECKINRIDGE,
Secretary of War.
To His Excellency Jefferson Davis,
President, etc.
Executive Department, Richmond, February 28, 1865.
To the Senate of the Confederate States:
Agreeably to the recommendation of the Secretary of War, I nominate Lieut. M. P. Taylor, of North Carolina, to be promoted to captain of artillery, for ordnance duty, in the Provisional Army of the Confederate States of America.
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
Page 625 | Page image
No. 232.]War Department, Richmond, February 27, 1865.
Sir: I have the honor to recommend the nomination of Lieut. M. P. Taylor, of North Carolina, to be promoted to captain of artillery, for ordnance duty, in the Provisional Army of the Confederate States of America (an original vacancy), report for duty to Chief of Ordnance, to rank from February 21, 1865.
I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN C. BRECKINRIDGE,
Secretary of War.
To His Excellency Jefferson Davis,
President, etc.
Executive Department, Richmond, February 28, 1865.
To the Senate of the Confederate States:
Agreeably to the recommendation of the Secretary of War, I nominate Lieut. Col. Richard Morton, of Virginia, to be colonel Niter and Mining Corps, Provisional Army of the Confederate States of America.
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
No. 228.]War Department, Richmond, February 25, 1865.
Sir: I have the honor to recommend the nomination of Lieut. Col. Richard Morton, of Virginia, to be promoted to colonel Niter and Mining Corps, Provisional Army of the Confederate States of America, vice Colonel St. John, appointed Commissary-General, to rank from February 17, 1865.
I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN C. BRECKINRIDGE,
Secretary of War.
To His Excellency Jefferson Davis,
President, etc.
Executive Department, Richmond, February 28, 1865.
To the Senate of the Confederate States:
Agreeably to the recommendation of the Secretary of War, I nominate the officers on the accompanying list to the grades affixed to their names, respectively.
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
No. 225.]War Department, Richmond, February 25, 1865.
Sir: I have the honor to recommend the following nominations for promotion in the Provisional Army of the Confederate States of America:
I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN C. BRECKINRIDGE,
Secretary of War.
To His Excellency Jefferson Davis,
President, etc.
The messages were severally read.
Ordered, That they be referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.
The Senate resumed the consideration of the nominations of Charles J. Munnerlyn, to be lieutenant-colonel, and William Footman, to be major of Munnerlyn's (commissary) battalion; and
Resolved, That the Senate do advise and consent to their appointment, agreeably to the nomination of the President.
Mr. Baker, from the Committee on Post-Offices and Post-Roads, to whom was referred (on the 28th ultimo) the nomination of Isaac Estell, to be postmaster at Talladega, Ala., reported, with the recommendation that said nomination be confirmed.
The Senate proceeded to consider said report; and in concurrence therewith, it was
Page 626 | Page image
Resolved, That the Senate do advise and consent to the appointment, agreeably to the nomination of the President.
The Senate resumed the consideration of the nominations of William H. Capers and C. C. Morgan, to be aids-de-camp, with the rank of first lieutenants; and it was
Resolved, That the Senate do advise and consent to their appointment, agreeably to the nomination of the President.
Mr. Wigfall, from the Committee on Military Affairs, to whom were referred (on the 28th ultimo) the nominations of R. L. Walker, to be brigadier-general; W. Nelson, D. G. McIntosh, F. Huger, and W. J. Pegram, to be colonels; John Lane, John C. Haskell, W. M. Owen, W. E. Cutshaw, R. M. Stribling, M. Johnson, and R. P. Chew, to be lieutenant-colonels, and H. M. Ross, T. J. Kirkpatrick, W. J. Dance, W. W. Parker, B. C. Manly, T. A. Brander, S. T. Wright, N. A. Sturdivant, J. F. Hart, P. P. Johnston, James W. Thomson, and M. F. McGregor, to be majors of artillery (under act approved January 22, 1862); Ed. N. Thurston, to be major; W. M. Fontaine, J. L. Scales, A. Edwards, W. L. Randolph, W. M. Archer, S. H. Starr, James E. Webb, and Louis Zimmer, to be captains; N. M. Osborne, J. T. Allyn, J. Howard Smith, A. M. Aiken, and William Glenn, to be first lieutenants of artillery, for ordnance duty; T. H. Herndon, to be colonel; J. C. Timberlake and G. M. Norment, to be lieutenant-colonels; and D. C. Hatcher, to be major; William E. Faison, B. E. Coltrane, and James J. Hatcher, to be captains; T. F. Henry, to be major in the Adjutant-General's Department; Frank T. Forbes, R. Burns, Thomas H. McKoy, F. L. Smith, to be commissaries, with the rank of major; John Denham, G. S. Barthelmess, B. W. Cooke, J. W. Primrose, and E. W. Mikell, to be assistant commissaries, with the rank of captain; and John R. Leigh, to be surgeon, reported, with the recommendation that all of said nominations be confirmed.
The Senate proceeded to consider said report; and in concurrence therewith, it was
Resolved, That the Senate do advise and consent to their appointment, agreeably to the nomination of the President.
The Senate resumed the consideration of the resolution submitted (on the 25th ultimo) by Mr. Wigfall, from the Committee on Military Affairs, declaring that Maj. Gen. Stephen D. Lee, having been appointed lieutenant-general under the act of February 17, 1864, and having been relieved from the discharge of the duties in the command to which he was appointed, can not be confirmed by the Senate to the said command, but must now resume his former rank in the service; and
The resolution was agreed to.
On motion by Mr. Burnett,
Ordered, That the Secretary of the Senate furnish the President of the Confederate States with a copy of said resolution.
On motion by Mr. Baker,
The Senate resolved into secret legislative session.
PREVIOUS SECTION .. NEXT SECTION .. NAVIGATOR
| PREVIOUS | NEXT | NEW SEARCH |