General Assembly of Virginia.
Senate.
Saturday, Feb. 3, 1862.
The Senate was called to order at 12 o'clock by
Mr. Johnson,
President pro tem, Prayer by
the Rev. Dr. Brown.
The Military bill
The bill reported from the joint committee ‘"to raise troops to meet the requisition on
Virginia by the
President of the
Confederate States,"’ was taken up for consideration.
Mr. Johnson (
Mr. Dickinson, of Prince Edward, in the chair) said that the quote called for by the
President's requisition amounted to 65,800 men. The committee had been informed by the
Secretary of War that 1,500 troops now in the field had already reenlisted for the war — thus leaving 64,300 to be raised.
It was within the bounds of probability that from 27,000 to 28,000 would re-enlist.
The bounty system provided by act of Congress was working well, and troops were very rapidly offering their services for the war. The committee assumed that the bill, in its present form, by giving an opportunity for troops to volunteer, would reduce the draft in many localities.
It was highly important that the force should be made up and placed in the field at an early day — by the 15th of March if possible.
Mr. Thomas, of Henry, was not entirely satisfied with the bill, and desired to offer a proviso, to come in after the second section.
Mr. Johnson thought he could convince
Senators that there was no necessity for amending the bill; but as it was not entirely proper that the subject should be debated with open doors, he moved that the Senate go into secret session.
The motion was agreed to.
After remaining for some time in secret session, the doors were re-opened.
A message was received from the House of Delegates, by
Mr. Hunter, who informed the Senate that the
House had passed a bill providing for the construction of a railroad for military purposes, connecting the Manassas Gap Railroad, at or near
Strasburg, in the county of
Shenandoah, with the Winchester and Potomac Railroad, at or near
Winchester, in the county of
Frederick.
A message was received from the House of Delegates, by
Mr. Sheffey, who informed the Senate that the
House had passed a bill, entitled ‘"An act for ascertaining and enrolling the military force of the
Commonwealth."’
The Senate took a recess until 7½ o'clock P. M., at which time the consideration of the military bill was resumed.
