Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 10.
Frank Moore, Ed.

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[20] of such courts extending to loss of life or dismission of a commissioned officer, were to require the confirmation of the general commanding the army in the field to which the division or brigade belonged. It was further provided that when the division or brigade commander should be the accuser or prosecutor of an officer under his command, the court should be appointed by the next higher commander. The amendment of the Military Committee proposed to strike out the words, “of an officer under his command,” so that it would read, “That when the division or brigade commander shall be the accuser or prosecutor, the court shall be appointed by the next higher commander;” and the amendment was agreed to. Mr. Doolittle suggested that the bill lie over, there was no occasion for its prompt passage. Mr. Wilson said the bill was in perfect harmony with the articles of war. It had been submitted to the Secretary of War, and he had replied that “the bill has been submitted to the Commanding General of the army, who reports that such an act is, in his opinion, absolutely necessary to facilitate the transaction of judicial business in a large army, and should be passed with as little delay as possible. The opinion of the Commanding General is concurred in and approved by this department.” The bill was then passed without a division. In the House, on the twentieth of December, Mr. Blair, from the Military Committee, reported back the bill relative to courts-martial, without amendment, and it passed without a division. The President approved it on the twenty-fourth of December, 1861.

No. Xvii.--Joint Resolution, expressive of the Recognition by Congress, of the patriotic and gallant services of Brigadier-General Nathaniel Lyon, and of the Officers and Soldiers under his Command.

In the House, on the eleventh of December, 1861, Mr. Blair introduced a joint resolution, expressive of the recognition by Congress, of the gallant and patriotic services of the late Brigadier-General Nathaniel Lyon, and the officers and soldiers under his command at the battle of Springfield, Missouri. It declared, “That Congress deems it just and proper to enter upon its records a recognition of the eminent and patriotic services of the late Brigadier-General Nathaniel Lyon.” The country to whose service he devoted his life, will guard and preserve his fame as a part of its own glory.

That the thanks of Congress are hereby given to the brave officers and soldiers who, under the command of the late General Lyon, sustained the honor of the flag and achieved victory against. overwhelming numbers at the battle of Spring-field in Missouri. And that in order to commemorate an event so honorable to the country and to themselves, it is ordered that each regiment engaged shall be authorized to bear upon its colors the word “Springfield” embroidered in letters of gold; and the President of the United States is hereby requested to cause these resolutions to be read at the head of every regiment in the army of the United States.

Mr. Edwards, of New-Hampshire, thought it inexpedient to require the President to have the resolution read at the head of every regiment in the army, and he moved to strike out so much of the resolution as required it. Mr. Colfax opposed the motion, and it was rejected. The resolution was then unanimously passed. In the Senate, on the twelfth, the resolution was referred to the Military Committee, and on the twentieth, Mr. Wilson reported it back without amendment. The Senate, on motion of Mr. Wilson, proceeded to consider the joint resolution, and after remarks by Mr. Pomeroy, of Kansas, and Mr. Dixon, and Mr. Foster, of Connecticut, it was unanimously passed. It was approved by the President, on the twenty-fourth of December, 1861.

No. Xviii.--Bill authorizing the Appointment of one or more Assistant Secretaries of War.

In the Senate, on the twentieth of January, 1862, Mr. Wade, of Ohio, introduced a bill to authorize the Secretary of War to appoint one or more assistant secretaries, which was read twice, and referred to the Military Committee. On the twenty-first, the Senate, on motion of Mr. Wade, discharged the Committee on Military Affairs, from the further consideration of the bill, and proceeded to its consideration. Mr. Wilson moved to strike out all after the enacting clause, and insert in lieu of it, “That the President be, and he is hereby, authorized to appoint two additional assistant secretaries of war, whose salary shall each be three thousand dollars per annum, who shall perform all such duties in the office of the Secretary of War, belonging to that department, as shall be prescribed by the Secretary of War, or as may be required by law; the offices of these additional assistant secretaries to continue for one year.” On motion of Mr. Hale, the amendment was so amended as to provide that they should be appointed “by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.” The amendment as amended was adopted as a substitute for the bill, and passed. In the House, on the same day, Mr. Gooch, of Massachusetts, moved that the bill be put on its passage, and demanded the previous question, which was ordered — yeas, seventy; nays, thirty-five. On motion of Mr. Holman, of Indiana, the yeas and nays were taken on its passage, and being taken, resulted — yeas, ninety-one; nays, thirty. So the bill passed, and was approved by the President, on the twenty-second of January, 1862.

No. Xix.--The Resolution in relation to the Allotment Certificates of Pay to Persons held as Prisoners of War in the so-called confederate States.

In the Senate, on the thirtieth of January, 1862, Mr. Rice, of Minnesota, introduced a joint resolution, relative to allotment tickets to prisoners of war. The Senate proceeded to consider the resolution, which required the Secretary of