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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 --FORTY-THIRD DAY--TUESDAY. April 8, 1862.
OPEN SESSION.
The House met pursuant to adjournment, and was opened with prayer by the Rev. Mr. Pettigrew.
Mr. Gardenhire, by consent, withdrew his motion to reconsider the vote by which the House concurred in the amendments of the Senate to a bill to provide further means for the support of the Government.
Mr. Foster introduced joint resolutions of thanks to our officers and soldiers; which were read the first and second times.
Mr. Foster moved that the rule be suspended requiring the resolutions to be referred, and demanded that the vote be taken by yeas and nays.
The demand being seconded, the vote is recorded as follows, to wit:
Yeas: Ashe, Atkins, Batson, Boteler, Horatio W. Bruce, Clapp, Clark, Clopton, Curry, Dargan, Dupré, Foster, Gaither, Garland, Gartrell, Hanly, Hartridge, Herbert, Hilton, Holt, Jenkins, Kenan of Georgia, Kenan of North Carolina, Lyon, McQueen, Menees, Moore, Ralls, Royston, Sexton, Smith of Alabama, Smith of North Carolina, Strickland, Trippe, Wilcox, and Wright of Tennessee.
Nays: Baldwin, Bell, Burnett, Chambers, Conrow, Cooke, Davidson, De Jarnette, Ewing, Farrow, Gardenhire, Heiskell, Holcombe, Johnston, Jones, Kenner, Lander, Lewis, Lyons, Machen, Marshall,
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McLean, Miles, Perkins, Pugh, Read, Russell, Vest, Villeré, Wright of Texas, and Mr. Speaker.
Two-thirds not voting in the affirmative,
The rule was not suspended; and
On motion, the resolutions were referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.
The Chair announced as the committee on the part of the House, under the joint resolutions from the Senate to frame a joint rule indicating what questions shall be discussed in both bodies in secret session,
Messrs. Curry of Alabama, Russell of Virginia, and Kenner of Louisiana.
Mr. Garland presented the memorial of sundry citizens of Camden, Ark., in relation to a mail route between Camden and Eunice; which was referred to the Committee on Post-Offices and Post-Roads, without being read.
On motion of Mr. Jones, the call of the States was suspended, and the House proceeded to call the committees.
Mr. Chambers, from the Committee on Enrolled Bills, reported as correctly enrolled
Resolutions of thanks to Maj. Gen. Thomas J. Jackson and the officers and men under his command for gallant and meritorious services in the battle of Kernstown.
The Speaker signed the same.
Mr. Kenner, from the Committee on Ways and Means, to whom was referred
A bill to amend an act for the relief of the State of Missouri, approved January 27, 1862,
reported the same back, with the recommendation that the bill lie on the table.
The report was agreed to.
A bill to authorize the advance of a certain sum of money to the State of Missouri.
The bill was read first and second times, and the rules being suspended, was engrossed, read a third time, and passed.
Mr. Kenner, from the same committee, to whom was referred
A bill of the Senate to increase the number of depositories of public funds,
reported the same back, with the recommendation that it pass.
The rules were suspended;
The bill was taken up and read a third time and passed.
Mr. Kenner, from the same committee, to whom was referred
A bill to authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to suspend the collection of taxes in certain States,
reported the same back, with the recommendation that it pass with an amendment.
On motion, the consideration of the bill and amendment was postponed until to-morrow.
The Chair laid before the House a communication from the President, as follows, to wit:
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.
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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 falling 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 vain-glorious 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 2 o'clock, while leading a successful charge, turning the enemy's right and gaining a brilliant victory. A minie ball cut the artery of his leg, but he rode on till from loss of blood he felt 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 be safely asserted that our loss is irreparable, and that among the shining hosts of the great and 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 communication was laid on the table, and on motion of Mr. Barksdale, 2,500 copies were ordered to be printed.
Mr. Miles, from the Committee on Military Affairs, moved that the House take up for consideration, from the Calendar, a bill to provide for the safe and expeditious transportation of troops and munitions of war and supplies by railroads, and that it be made the special order of business for to-morrow, and from day to day until concluded.
The motion was agreed to.
Mr. Miles, from the same committee, to whom was referred
A bill to prohibit the transportation to and sale of certain articles in any port or place within the Confederate States in the possession of the enemy,
reported the same back, asked to be discharged from its further consideration, and that the bill lie upon the table.
The report was agreed to.
Mr. Miles, from the same committee, reported
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A bill to prohibit the transportation to and sale of certain articles in any port or place within the Confederate States in the possession of the enemy;
which was read the first and second times and placed upon the Calendar.
Mr. Miles, from the same committee, to whom was referred
A bill to increase the efficiency of the Cavalry Corps,
reported the same back, asked to be discharged from its further consideration, and that the bill lie upon the table; which was agreed to.
Mr. Miles, from the same committee, to whom was referred
A resolution relating to allowing twelve months' volunteers to extend their term of service under present organizations ninety days,
reported a bill to authorize volunteers now in the Confederate service to extend their terms of service, with the recommendation that it pass.
The bill was then read the first and second times and placed upon the Calendar.
Mr. Miles, from the same committee, to whom was referred
A bill to secure the proper use of voluntary contributions in aid of the war, and to punish persons misapplying the same,
reported the same back, asked to be discharged from the same, and that it lie on the table; which was agreed to.
Mr. Miles, from the same committee, reported
A joint resolution of thanks to the patriotic women of the country for voluntary contributions furnished by them to the Army;
which was read the first and second times.
The rules were suspended;
The resolution was taken up, engrossed, read a third time, and passed.
Mr. Miles, from the same committee, to whom was referred
A bill to provide for the payment of officers of the Virginia militia for services rendered,
reported the same back, with the recommendation that it pass.
The rules were suspended;
The bill was taken up, and having been read as follows, to wit:
The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That all officers and non-commissioned officers of the Virginia militia who have been called into the service of the Confederate States by the order of any commanding officer of the Confederate States Army authorized to make such call, or by the proclamation of the governor of Virginia, in obedience to requisitions duly made on him by the President, shall be allowed, under the direction of the Quartermaster-General, compensation for the period of their actual service according to the rate of pay and allowances to which commissioned and noncommissioned officers of corresponding grades in the Confederate Army are, by law, entitled.
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Mr. Lyons moved to amend by striking out the word "sick," before the word "furlough," therein; which was agreed to, and the bill as amended was engrossed, read a third time, and passed.
Mr. Miles, from the same committee, to whom was referred a memorial of John Jett for loss of horses, reported the same back, asked to be discharged from its further consideration, and that it lie upon the table; which was agreed to.
Mr. Miles, from the same committee, to whom was referred
A bill from the Senate to provide for the payment of musicians in the Army not regularly enlisted,
reported the same back, with the recommendation that it pass.
The rules were suspended;
The bill was taken up, read a third time, and passed.
Mr. Chambers, from the same committee, reported
A bill to amend an act to increase the Corps of Artillery, and for other purposes, approved August 21, 1861,
with the recommendation that it pass.
* * * places where they have charge of the sick and wounded."a
[Note a: a Folio of Journal missing.]
The bill having been read as follows, to wit:
That the act for the establishment and organization of a general staff for the Army of the Confederate States of America, approved February twenty-sixth, eighteen hundred and sixty-one, be, and the same is hereby, so amended that officers of the Medical Department of the Army of the Confederate States shall, by virtue of their commissions, command enlisted men.
The amendment was agreed to, and the bill as amended was engrossed, read a third time, and passed.
Mr. Chambers, from the same committee, to whom was referred
A bill to enforce prompt returns from disbursing officers and agents, reported the same back, with the recommendation that it pass.
The rules were suspended;
The bill was taken up, engrossed, read a third time, and passed.
Mr. Chambers, from the same committee, to whom was referred a communication from the Quartermaster-General in reference to loss of public property, reported the same back, asked to be discharged from its further consideration, and that it be referred to the special committee on the loss of public property; which was agreed to.
Mr. Chambers, from the same committee, to whom was referred certain resolutions in relation to the necessity for additional fortifications on the Mississippi River, reported the same back, asked to be discharged from their further consideration, and that they be indefinitely postponed; which was agreed to.
Mr. Wilcox, from same committee, to whom was referred the petition of sundry ladies of Richmond, Va., asking an increase of the pay of chaplains in the Army, reported the same back, asked to be discharged from its further consideration, and that it lie on the table; which was agreed to.
Mr. Wilcox, from the same committee, to whom was referred the petition of sundry citizens of Mobile, Ala., asking for martial law,
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reported the same back, asked to be discharged from its further consideration, and that it lie on the table; which was agreed to.
Mr. Wilcox, from the same committee, to whom was referred
A resolution in relation to the manufacture of rifle guns,
reported the same back, asked to be discharged from its further consideration, and that it lie on the table; which was agreed to.
Mr. Hilton, from the same committee, to whom was referred the petition of sundry citizens of Perry County, Ala., praying the adoption of measures to suppress intemperance in the Army, reported the same back, asked to be discharged from its further consideration, and that it lie on the table; which was agreed to.
Mr. Pugh, from the same committee, to whom was referred
A bill to create the office of judge-advocate-general,
reported the same back, with the recommendation that it be indefinitely postponed; which was agreed to.
Mr. Villeré, from the same committee, to whom was referred the memorial of Thomas Wills, asking pay for horses, reported the same back, asked to be discharged from its further consideration, and that it lie upon the table; which was agreed to.
Mr. Villeré, from the same committee, to whom was referred the memorial from members of Captain Morgan's company of cavalry in reference to the loss of horses, reported the same back, asked to be discharged from its further consideration, and that it lie upon the table.
Mr. Boteler moved that the memorial be recommitted to the Committee on Military Affairs.
Mr. Kenan of Georgia called for the yeas and nays thereon;
Which was seconded,
Yeas: Ashe, Atkins, Baldwin, Barksdale, Bell, Boteler, Eli M. Bruce, Chambers, Clapp, Conrad, Currin, Dargan, De Jarnette, Farrow, Gardenhire, Garnett, Goode, Graham, Hanly, Heiskell, Herbert, Holcombe, Jenkins, Johnston, Jones, Lewis, Lyon, Lyons, Machen, McLean, Ralls, Royston, Russell, Sexton, Smith of Alabama, Smith of North Carolina, Smith of Virginia, Staples, Welsh, Wright of Texas, Wright of Tennessee, and Mr. Speaker.
Nays: Ayer, Batson, Boyce, Horatio W. Bruce, Burnett, Chilton, Clark, Clopton, Conrow, Crockett, Curry, Davidson, Davis, Dawkins, Ewing, Foote, Foster,Gartrell, Hartridge, Hilton, Holt, Kenan of Georgia, Kenan of North Carolina, Kenner, Marshall, McRae, McQueen, Miles, Moore, Pugh, Singleton, Strickland, Trippe, and Villeré.
So the memorial was recommitted.
A message was received from the President, at the hands of his Private Secretary, Mr. Harrison, informing the House that the President, on yestesday, approved and signed an act entitled "An act to remit the duty on railroad iron sufficient to complete the Alabama and Mississippi Rivers Railroad."
A message was received from the Senate, by their Secretary, Mr. Nash, as follows, to wit:
Mr. Speaker: The Senate have passed, unanimously, a joint resolution of the following title, viz:
Joint resolution of thanks for the victory at Shiloh, Tenn.;
In which I am directed to ask the concurrence of this House
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Mr. Batson, from the Committee on Military Affairs, to whom was referred the petition of B. H. Willis, acting quartermaster of the First Kentucky Battalion, reported the same back, asked to be discharged from its further consideration, and that the memorial be referred to the Committee on Claims; which was agreed to.
Also, reported back the memorial of certain citizens of Alabama in relation to exemptions from draft, asked to be discharged from its further consideration, and that the resolution lie on the table; which was agreed to.
On motion of Mr. Miles, a Senate bill relative to the pay and allowances of deceased soldiers was taken up, read first and second times, and referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.
Mr. Conrad, from the Committee on Naval Affairs, to whom was referred
A bill to encourage the manufacture of iron, lead, and copper, and the production of coal,
reported the same back, asked to be discharged from its further consideration, and that the bill lie on the table; which was agreed to.
Mr. Russell, from the Committee on the Judiciary, to whom was referred
A bill to amend the sequestration act, etc.,
reported the same back, with the recommendation that it do not pass, and that the bill be placed on the Calendar and printed; which was agreed to.
Mr. Moore, from the same committee, to whom was referred the petition of Mrs. Nancy Griffin, reported the same back, asked to be discharged from its further consideration, and that the petition lie on the table; which was agreed to.
Mr. Moore, from the same committee, to whom was referred a resolution relative to increasing the penalties for certain offenses, reported
A bill to increase the penalty now imposed by law in certain criminal cases,
and recommended the passage of the same.
The bill was read first and second times, placed on the Calendar, and ordered to be printed.
Mr. Gartrell, from the same committee, to whom was referred
A bill to amend an act to establish the judicial courts of the Confederate States [of America],
reported the same back, with the recommendation that it pass with an amendment.
On motion, the bill was placed on the Calendar and ordered to be printed.
Mr. Gartrell, from the same committee, reported unfavorably upon
A bill to abolish the offices of Assistant Secretary of State and Assistant Attorney-General.
On motion, the bill was placed on the Calendar.
Mr. Gartrell, from the same committee, to whom was recommitted
A resolution of inquiry as to the constitutionality of making Treasury notes a legal tender,
reported that the majority of said committee were satisfied of the unconstitutionality of the point submitted by the resolution, asked to be discharged from its further consideration, and that the resolution lie on the table; which was not agreed to.
And on motion of Mr. Chilton, the resolution was recommitted to
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the Committee on the Judiciary, with instructions to report in secret session.
Mr. Ashe, from the same committee, reported and recommended the passage of
A bill for the relief of Caroline Miller and her children;
which was read first and second times.
The rules were suspended;
The bill was taken up, engrossed, read a third time; and the question being on the passage of the same,
Mr. Miles demanded the yeas and nays; and
The demand being sustained,
Yeas: Ashe, Baldwin, Boteler, Horatio W. Bruce, Eli M. Bruce, Chambers, Clark, Conrad, Crockett, Currin, Dargan, Davidson, Dawkins, De Jarnette, Dupré, Ewing, Farrow, Foote, Foster, Gardenhire, Garland, Garnett, Gartrell, Goode, Graham, Gray, Hartridge, Heiskell, Holcombe, Holt, Jenkins, Jones, Kenan of North Carolina, Kenner, Lander, Lewis, Lyon, Machen, McLean, Menees, Miles, Moore, Pugh, Ralls, Read, Sexton, Smith of Alabama. Smith of North Carolina, Staples, Strickland, Welsh, Wilcox, and Wright of Texas.
Nays: Ayer, Batson, Chilton, Clapp, Clopton, Conrow, Cooke, Curry, Davis, Hanly, Herbert, Lyons, Marshall, McRae, McQueen, Perkins, Royston, Singleton, Smith of Virginia, Villeré, and Mr. Speaker.
So the bill was passed.
Mr. Ewing moved to reconsider the vote just taken.
The motion to reconsider did not prevail.
On motion, leave of absence was granted to Messrs. Chambliss and Munnerlyn.
By unanimous consent, the House took up for consideration joint resolutions of thanks for the victory at Shiloh, Tenn.
The resolutions were read first, second, and third times and passed.
Mr. Garnett offered the following resolution; which was read and agreed to, to wit:
Resolved, That the President be requested to communicate to this House, if in his opinion not incompatible with the public interest, the official report of Captain Franklin Buchanan, of the late naval engagement in Hampton Roads.
Mr. Smith of Virginia, by unanimous consent, introduced
A bill to raise bands of rangers within the enemy's lines;
which was read first and second times and referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.
And on motion of Mr. Smith of Virginia,
The House adjourned until 12 o'clock to-morrow.
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