The Daily Dispatch: April 12, 1862., [Electronic resource]

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Congress, yesterday.

The amount of business transacted in the open session of the House of Representatives yesterday was not very heavy. The resolution of Mr. Boyce, of South Carolina, tendering thanks to Gens. Van-Dorn and Price, met with some opposition, not on account of any real objection to the resolution, however, or to the principle of returning thanks to our officers for meritorious conduct; but upon the ground that not official reports had been received of the battle of Elkhorn, without which any such action was premature on the part of Congress. The resolution was ably sustained by Messrs. Wilcox and Foote, and the highest eulogiums passed upon the heroes of the Southwest.

The reports from the Military Committee, through their chairman, Mr. Miles, were of a practical character, and evidenced the determination of the House to render every aid in promoting the efficiency of the army. The bills for the appointment of artillery officers, for the increase of the engineer corps, and for the organization of a signal corps, are all measures of utility, and should perhaps ere this have engaged the consideration of Congress.

We believe that hitherto the engineer corps of our army has been totally insufficient for the labors required of it, and engineer officers have been greatly needed in several of the departments. We are credibly informed that Gen. Jackson has been applying since November for a competent engineer, and to this day his application has not been filled for want of that class of officers.