House of Representatives.
Wednesday,Aug. 20, 1862
The
House met at 12 o'clock, and was opened with prayer by
Bishop Early.
Mr. Pugh, of
Alabama, offered a resolution that the
Committee on Military Affairs be instructed to inquire into the expediency of authorizing the punishment of commissioned officers of the Provisional army as deserters who may be absent from their posts without competent military authority — agreed to. Also, a resolution that the Military Committee be instructed to inquire into the necessity of reducing the list of exempts from the military service of the
Confederate States--agreed to. Also, a resolution that the
Committee on Military Affairs be instructed to inquire into the propriety of authorizing the
Generals in the Provisional army to accept the resignation of company and field officers, without reference to any higher military authority — agreed to.
Mr. Hilton, of
Fla., offered a resolution, that the injunction of secrecy from all the proceedings of this House at its last session be, and the same is hereby, removed.
Mr. Holt, of
Ga., offered a resolution, that the
Committee on Military Affairs be instructed to prepare and report a bill regulating, and rendering fixed and certain, the manner in which substitutes may be received into the army.
Mr. Gartrell offered a resolution, that the Military Committee be instructed to inquire into the propriety of repealing all laws authorizing substitutes in the army.
Mr. Clarke, of
Ga., offered a resolution for the appointment, by the
Speaker, of a committee of five to investigate the management of the hospitals in the Department of Henrico.
Agreed to.
Mr. Bruce, of
Ky., offered a resolution, that the
Committee on Naval Affairs be instructed to report, at the earliest day practicable, as to the propriety and expediency of amending all laws relative to privateering.
Mr. Chrisman, of
Ky., offered a resolution tendering the thanks of Congress to
Col. John Morgan and his command for distinguished services.
Agreed to.
Mr. Machen, of
Ky., offered a resolution that the
Secretary of War furnish this
House with the number of Confederate troops of every description now in the field and in camps of instruction, designating, as nearly as may be, the number in each arm of the service; that he also inform this House of the number of soldiers enrolled under the Conscription act, and from what States they have been drawn, and whether the enrollment under said act has been completed in any or all the
Confederate States.
Agreed to.
Mr. Conrad, of
La., offered a resolution that the
Committee on Naval Affairs be instructed to inquire into the expediency of abolishing the office of
Secretary of the Navy, and that the
Secretary of War be entrusted with the duties thereof.
Adopted.
Mr. Swann, of
Tenn., introduced a joint resolution declaring
Benjamin F. Butler, and officer of the United States army, an enemy of the human race.
Mr. Heiskell offered a resolution that the
President be requested to communicate to this
House how many troops have been raised under the Conscript bill, &c. Agreed to. Also, a joint resolution to secure the prompt publication of engagements with the enemy.
Laid on the table.
Mr. Sexton, of
Texas, presented a bill for the increase of the pay of privates and non commissioned officers in our army — providing for an increase of $4 per month.
After much discussion, the bill was referred to the
Committee on Military Affairs.
On motion of
Mr. Boyce, of S. C. the
House adjourned.
