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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 --SATURDAY, March 11, 1865.
OPEN SESSION.
A message from the House of Representatives, by Mr. Dalton:
Mr. President: The House of Representatives have agreed to the amendments of the Senate to bills and a joint resolution of the following titles:
The President of the Confederate States has notified the House of Representatives that on the 6th instant he approved and signed the following acts:
The Senate proceeded to consider the resolution of the House of Representatives extending the time for the adjournment of the present session of Congress; and
The resolution was agreed to.
Ordered, That the Secretary inform the House of Representatives thereof.
Mr. Caperton, from the committee, reported that they had examined and found truly enrolled bills and joint resolutions of the following titles:
The President pro tempore having signed the enrolled bills and enrolled joint resolutions 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.
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Mr. Semmes, from the Committee on Finance, to whom were referred the bill (H. R. 324) to authorize the appointment of certain tax officers for the Trans-Mississippi Department, and the bill (H. R. 424) for furnishing bagging and rope for the packing of tithe cotton, reported them severally, without amendment.
The Senate proceeded, as in Committee of the Whole, to the consideration of the said bills; and no amendment being proposed, they were severally reported to the Senate.
Ordered, That they pass to a third reading.
The said bills were severally read the third time.
Resolved, That they pass.
Ordered, That the Secretary inform the House of Representatives thereof.
Mr. Graham, from the Committee on Finance, to whom was referred the bill (H. R. 425) to authorize the settlement of the claim of the State of North Carolina for expenses incurred in executing the acts of Congress to further provide for the public defense, and to organize forces to serve during the war, reported it without amendment.
The Senate proceeded, as in Committee of the Whole, to the consideration of the said bill; and no amendment being proposed, it was reported to the Senate.
Ordered, That it pass to a third reading.
The said bill was read the third time.
Resolved, That it pass.
Ordered, That the Secretary inform the House of Representatives thereof.
Mr. Wigfall, from the Committee on Military Affairs, to whom was referred the bill (S. 224) to limit the issue of forage, reported it with out amendment.
The Senate proceeded, as in Committee of the Whole, to the consideration of the said bill; 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.
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.
On motion by Mr. Wigfall,
Ordered, That the Committee on Military Affairs be discharged from the further consideration of the joint resolution (S. 38) in relation to paying exchanged or paroled officers and soldiers.
The Senate resumed the reconsideration of the bill (S. 194) to provide for promotion of officers in certain cases, returned by the President of the Confederate States with his objections; and
On the question,
Shall this bill pass, the objections of the President to the contrary notwithstanding?
The vote having been taken by yeas and nays, conformably to the Constitution,
Those who voted in the affirmative are,
Messrs. Brown, Caperton, Graham, Henry, Hunter, Johnson of Georgia, Johnson of Missouri, Orr, Semmes, Vest, and Wigfall.
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Those who voted in the negative are,
Messrs. Barnwell, Maxwell, Oldham, Simms, and Watson.
So it was
Resolved, That this bill pass, two-thirds of the Senators present having voted therefor.
On motion by Mr. Graham,
Ordered, That the Secretary communicate the said bill, the message of the President returning the same, with his objections, to the Senate, and the proceedings of the Senate thereon, to the House of Representatives.
The bill (H. R. 421) for the relief of the Exchange Bank of Virginia, at Norfolk, 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 (H. R. 420) to provide for the payment of arrears now due to the Army and Navy, reported it without amendment.
The Senate proceeded, as in Committee of the Whole, to the consideration of the said bill.
On motion by Mr. Semmes, to amend the bill by striking out "shall," section 1, line 3, and inserting "may, if in his opinion the exigencies of the service require it,"
On motion by Mr. Semmes,
The yeas and nays being desired by one-fifth of the Senators present,
Those who voted in the affirmative are,
Messrs. Barnwell, Graham, Hunter, Johnson of Missouri, Orr, Semmes, and Vest.
Those who voted in the negative are,
Messrs. Caperton, Henry, Maxwell, Simms, Walker, Watson, and Wigfall.
No amendment being made, the bill was reported to the Senate.
Ordered, That it pass to a third reading.
The said bill was read the third time.
On the question,
Shall the bill now pass?
On motion by Mr. Semmes,
The yeas and nays being desired by one-fifth of the Senators present,
Those who voted in the affirmative are,
Messrs. Caperton, Graham, Henry, Hunter, Maxwell, Simms, Walker, Watson, and Wigfall.
Those who voted in the negative are,
Messrs. Barnwell, Johnson of Missouri, Orr, Semmes, and Vest.
So it was
Resolved, That this bill pass.
Ordered, That the Secretary inform the House of Representatives thereof.
The following message was received front the President of the Confederate States, by Mr. B. N. Harrison, his Secretary:
To the Senate of the Confederate States of America:
The act entitled "An act to abolish the office of certain quartermasters and assistant quartermasters, commissaries and assistant commissaries, and to provide for the
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appointment of bonded agents in said departments," which originated in your honorable body, is herewith returned without my approval, and with a statement of the objections which have prevented my signing it.
The act abolishes the office of all quartermasters and assistant quartermasters, commissaries and assistant commissaries, at posts and depots, and of those engaged in purchasing and impressing supplies, except such as are above the age of forty-five years, or have been disabled in service, or declared unfit for duty in the field. It requires those officers to be dropped from service, one-fourth in two months, one-fourth in four months, one-fourth in six months, and one-fourth within two years, and directs that their places be supplied by bonded agents, who are to be persons above the age of forty-five years, or disabled in service, or unfit for duty in the field, and it revokes all details and repeals all authority to grant details of persons between the ages of eighteen and forty-five years for duty in Quartermaster's and Commissary Departments, except skilled artisans and mechanics permanently employed, or persons disabled or unfit for duty in the field.
The object plainly intended by this act is one which meets my hearty concurrence and approval. Its obvious purpose is to strengthen the Army by placing in the ranks persons fit for active service and whose places can be supplied by others unable to do duty in the field. On reference of the subject, however, to the Secretary of War, it has been found that this act could not be executed without seriously impairing our ability to supply the armies in the field during the approaching campaign, and that its operation would be to drop officers who have been carefully selected by reason of their superior capacity and qualifications, while retaining others of inferior merit and value.
The difficulty of furnishing supplies to the Army, owing to embarrassments in transportation, is greater now than it has been at any previous period of the war. This difficulty has prompted the selection for that duty of the best and most active and competent officers in the Quartermaster's and Commissary Departments, and such officers have, within the last six months, been, in many instances, withdrawn from the armies where their services were less important and assigned to duty in purchasing, collecting, and forwarding supplies. This fact was, I feel confident, not known to Congress when the act was framed, and it could not have been intended to drop from service officers of special merit and retain others of inferior value.
I am also satisfied, from the report made to me by the Secretary of War, that the number of officers who would be dropped under the provisions of this law is far less than is supposed; that their value as soldiers in the ranks would in no measure compensate for the loss of their services in their present position.
The total number of post and purchasing commissaries in the States east; of the Mississippi River is but 212, of whom many are either over forty-five years of age, or otherwise exempt from the operations of the proposed law.
The total number of quartermasters collecting tax in kind is 96, and on post duty, 223, including officers in charge of manufactures of clothing, shoes, harness, wagons, ambulances, etc. A number of them are over forty-five years of age, others would not be embraced by the terms of the act; others, still, have special qualifications for the superintendence of the important manufactures confided to their care.
Taken altogether, it is doubted whether the officers who would be dropped under the provisions of the bill would exceed 200 in number, of whom 50 would go into the ranks in two months, 50 in four months, and 50 more in six months. This scarcely appreciable addition to the force in the field would be dearly bought at the sacrifice of efficiency in the two branches of service on which the very existence of the Army depends.
The terms of the act exempt from its operation those now on duty in the field, so that if it becomes a law, it would not even be possible to avert the loss of the best officers by returning them to duty in the field and dropping others of inferior merit. The Secretary of War is left without discretion or choice in the matter.
The heads of the two branches of service affected by this act apprehend great embarrassment to their respective departments if it becomes a law. The machinery now organized would be impeded in its working everywhere, and in some instances positively interrupted, just at the opening of this most important campaign. Valuable and experienced officers would be withdrawn from service. Chief commissaries, long accustomed to control operations in an entire State, quartermasters thoroughly informed as to the resources of their respective fields of duty, would, at short intervals, be dropped; and the heads of these bureaus would be embarrassed with the difficult duty, in the midst of an active campaign, of supplying their places with inexperienced and untried successors.
The representations made to me on the subjects embraced in this act by those under whose immediate superintendence its provisions would be executed, together
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with my own daily experience of the difficulties attendant on the efficient discharge of the duties of these two indispensable branches of the service, have created apprehensions of injurious effects from the passage of the act too serious to permit my approving it.
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
Executive Office, Richmond, March 11, 1865.
The message was read.
The Senate proceeded to reconsider the bill (S. 169) returned by the President with his objections; which bill is in the following words:
An act to abolish the office of certain quartermasters and assistant quartermasters, commissaries and assistant commissaries, and to provide for the appointment of bonded agents in said departments.
The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That the office of all quartermasters and assistant quartermasters, commissaries and assistant commissaries, on duty at posts and depots, those engaged in purchasing and impressing supplies, be. and the same is hereby, abolished.
I do hereby certify that this act did originate in the Senate.
JAMES H. NASH,
Secretary.
On motion by Mr. Brown,
Ordered, That the further consideration of the bill be postponed to and made the special order for Monday next, at 12 o'clock.
On motion by Mr. Barnwell, that the vote on passing the bill (H. R. 420) to provide for the payment of arrears now due to the Army and Navy be reconsidered,
On motion by Mr. Barnwell,
Ordered, That the further consideration thereof be postponed until Monday next.
On motion by Mr. Hunter,
The Senate resolved into executive session.
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The doors having been opened,
Mr. Semmes, from the Committee on Finance, to whom was referred the bill (H. R. 421) for the relief of the Exchange Bank of Virginia, at Norfolk, reported it with an amendment.
The Senate proceeded, as in Committee of the Whole, to the consideration of the said bill; and the reported amendment having been agreed to, the bill was reported to the Senate and the amendment was concurred in.
Ordered, That the amendment be engrossed and the bill read a third time.
The said bill as amended was read the third time.
Resolved, That it pass with an amendment.
Ordered, That the Secretary request the concurrence of the House of Representatives in the amendment.
Mr. Semmes, from the Committee on Finance, to whom was referred the bill (H. R. 419) to amend an act providing for the establishment and payment of claims for a certain description of property taken or informally impressed for the use of the Army, approved 14th June, 1864, reported it with the recommendation that it ought not to pass.
The Senate proceeded, as in Committee of the Whole, to the consideration of the said bill; and no amendment being proposed, it was reported to the Senate.
On the question,
Shall the bill be read a third time?
It was determined in the negative.
So the bill was rejected.
Ordered, That the Secretary inform the House of Representatives thereof.
On motion by Mr. Brown,
Ordered, That the Senate take a recess until 8 o'clock p. m.
8 O'CLOCK P. M.
A message from the House of Representatives, by Mr. Dalton:
Mr. President: The House of Representatives have passed bills and joint resolutions of the following titles; in which they request the concurrence of the Senate:
The bills and joint resolutions received this day from the House of Representatives for concurrence were severally read the first and second times; and
Ordered, That the bill numbered 428 be referred to the Committee on Post-Offices and Post-Roads; the bills numbered 429 and 430 to the Committee on Finance, and the joint resolutions numbered 35 and 36 to the Committee on Claims.
On motion by Mr. Maxwell,
The Senate adjourned.
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EXECUTIVE SESSION.
The following messages were received from the President of the Confederate States, by Mr. B. N. Harrison, his Secretary:
Executive Department, Confederate States of America,
Richmond, March 11, 1865.
To the Senate of the Confederate States:
Agreeably to the recommendation of the Secretary of War, I nominate Col. Y. M. Moody, of Alabama, to be a brigadier-general in the Provisional Army of the Confederate States of America.
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
No. 255.]War Department, Confederate States of America,
Richmond, March 8, 1865.
Sir: I have the honor to recommend the nomination of Col. Y. M. Moody, of Alabama, to be brigadier-general in the Provisional Army of the Confederate States of America, to command brigade, Army of Northern Virginia, vice General Gracie, killed, to rank from March 4, 1865.
I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN C. BRECKINRIDGE,
Secretary of War.
To His Excellency Jefferson Davis,
President, etc.
Executive Department, Confederate States of America,
Richmond, March 11, 1865.
To the Senate of the Confederate States:
Agreeably to the recommendation of the Secretary of War, I nominate R. A. Wood, of Georgia, to be captain (for retirement, under act approved January 27, 1865) in the Provisional Army of the Confederate States of America.
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
War Department, Confederate States of America,
Richmond, March 8, 1865.
Sir: I have the honor to recommend the nomination of R. A. Wood, of Georgia, to be captain (for retirement, under act approved January 27, 1865) in the Provisional Army of the Confederate States of America, to rank from February 14, 1865.
I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN C. BRECKINRIDGE,
Secretary of War.
To His Excellency Jefferson Davis,
President, etc.
Executive Department, Confederate States of America,
Richmond, March 11, 1865.
To the Senate of the Confederate States:
Agreeably to the recommendation of the Secretary of War, I nominate James P. Cox, of Virginia, to be aid-de-camp, with the rank of first lieutenant in the Provisional Army of the Confederate States of America.
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
No. 263.]War Department, Confederate States of America,
Richmond, March 9, 1865.
Sir: I have the honor to recommend the nomination of James P. Cox, of Virginia, to be aid-de-camp, with the rank of first lieutenant in the Provisional Army of the Confederate States of America, for duty with Brigadier-General Logan (an original vacancy), to rank from March 8, 1865.
I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN C. BRECKINRIDGE,
Secretary of War.
To His Excellency Jefferson Davis,
President, etc.
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Executive Department, Confederate States of America,
Richmond, March 11, 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. 260.]War Department, Confederate States of America,
Richmond, March 8, 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, Confederate States of America,
Richmond, March 11, 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. 257.]War Department, Confederate States of America,
Richmond, March 8, 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, Confederate States of America,
Richmond, March 11, 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.
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No. 258.]War Department, Confederate States of America,
Richmond, March 8, 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, Confederate States of America,
Richmond, March 11, 1865.
To the Senate of the Confederate States:
Agreeably to the recommendation of the Secretary of War, I nominate Capt. J. W. Green, of --, to be promoted to quartermaster, with the rank of major in the Provisional Army of the Confederate States of America.
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
No. 259.] War Department, Confederate States of America,
Richmond, March 8, 1865.
Sir: I have the honor to recommend the nomination of Capt. John W. Green, of --, to be promoted to quartermaster, with the rank of major in the Provisional Army of the Confederate States of America, report for duty to Major Cole, Chief of Field Transportation, to rank from March 2, 1865.
I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN C. BRECKINRIDGE,
Secretary of War.
To His Excellency Jefferson Davis,
President, etc.
Executive Department, Confederate States of America,
Richmond, March 11, 1865.
To the Senate of the Confederate States:
Agreeably to the recommendation of the Secretary of War, I nominate J. H. Beck, of --, to be quartermaster, with the rank of major in the Provisional Army of the Confederate States of America.
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
No. 261.] War Department, Confederate States of America,
Richmond, March 8, 1865.
Sir: I have the honor to recommend the nomination of J. H. Beck, of --, to be quartermaster, with the rank of major in the Provisional Army of the Confederate States of America, for duty with Cavalry Corps, Trans-Mississippi Department, commanded by Major-General Wharton, to rank from March 2, 1865.
I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN C. BRECKINRIDGE,
Secretary of War.
To His Excellency Jefferson Davis,
President, etc.
Executive Department, Confederate States of America,
Richmond, March 11, 1865.
To the Senate of the Confederate States:
Agreeably to the recommendation of the Secretary of War, I hereby nominate Maj. Gen. Stephen D. Lee, to be lieutenant-general, with temporary rank, in the Provisional Army of the Confederate States.
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
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No. 242.]War Department, Confederate States of America,,
Richmond, March 3, 1865.
Sir: I have the honor to recommend the nomination of Maj. Gen. Stephen D. Lee, of South Carolina, to be lieutenant-general, with temporary rank (under act approved May 31, 1864), in the Provisional Army of the Confederate States of America, to rank from June 23, 1864.
I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN C. BRECKINRIDGE,
Secretary of War.
To His Excellency Jefferson Davis,
President, etc.
Executive Department, Confederate States of America,
Richmond, March 11, 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. 256.]War Department, Confederate States of America,
Richmond, March 8, 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.
The messages were severally read.
Ordered, That they be referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.
On motion by Mr. Maxwell,
The Senate resolved into open legislative session.
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