get, which is about half-rations, little or no shelter, and forced marches through storm and mud, day and night."

"Therefore be it

"Resolved, That the select committee on the conduct of the war be instructed to make inquiry of and concerning the truth of said statements and charges, and report the result of such inquiry, with such recommendations. in the premises as in the judgment of the committee the public interests may require; and if said allegations be true, that the committee report to to this House the name of the commanding officer of such troops."

On motion of Mr. Chandler, it was

Ordered, That Messrs. Gooch and Odell be appointed a sub-committee to wait upon the Secretary of War, and ascertain what instructions, if any, have been given to our generals in the field as to the course to be pursued in regard to rebel property.

The chairman also laid before the committee the following resolution of the House of Representatives:

"On motion of Mr. Shellabarger,

"JUNE 16, 1862.

"Resolved, That the committee upon the conduct of the war be directed to inquire into and report to this House whether our soldiers who were wounded at the battle of Port Republic, upon the 8th and 9th instant, were subjected to any unnecessary neglect, either by refusal by any officer or surgeon to permit them to receive surgical attendance or medical supplies from other than their own brigade or division, or from any other cause. Also, whether they were subjected to any such neglect, by being left upon the cars or otherwise, after their arrival in this city. And if any such neglect occurred, that they ascertain and report the cause thereof."

The chairman stated that after receiving the foregoing resolution, and before calling the committee together, he had addressed a letter to the Secretary of War, asking for such information as the War Department might have in its possession relating to that subject. In reply, he had received a communication, with accompanying papers, from the War Department, which he now laid before the committee.

Ordered, That said papers be filed with the testimony.

The following witnesses were examined: General Abner Doubleday, (recalled,) Captain E. P. Halsted, Major James H. Trimble, Major B. H. Nourse, Dr. David S. Hays, and Dr. S. S. Burrows.

Adjourned to 10 a. m. to-morrow.

WASHINGTON, June 21, 1862.

The committee met pursuant to adjournment. Absent: Messrs. Wade and Wright.

The following witnesses were examined: Dr. David S. Hays, (recalled,) Major John C. Johnson, Lieutenant Henry C. Spilman, Captain S. L. Hewitt, Colonel E. S. Sanford, and Surgeon General William A. Hammond. Adjourned to 10 a. m. on Monday.

WASHINGTON, June 23, 1862.

The committee met pursuant to adjournment. Absent: Messrs. Wade, Wright, and Julian.

The following witnesses were examined: Jos. H. Hilton, William Kelly, Dr. Jonathan Letterman, Dr. Francis Salter, Dr. Louis A. Edwards, and James Palmer.

Mr. Chandler said that he desired permission of the committee to use certain portions of the evidence taken before it in executive session of the Senate; and as there might be other occasions when the use of the testimony would be beneficial to the best interests of the country, he would move that each member of this committee be permitted to make such use of the testimony of this committee, in Congress, as in his judgment may be right and proper.

Mr. Gooch said that while he was willing to permit such use of the testimony, in executive session of the Senate, as the senatorial members of this committee might deem expedient, he was opposed to any use of it in public session of either house of Congress, until it should be reported upon by this committee, as it would be giving the members of this committee an undue advantage over other members of Congress.

Mr. Chandler thereupon modified his motion as follows:

That this committee give permission to have read in executive session of the Senate the testimony relating to the battle of Winchester, Virginia, of March 23, 1862.

Upon motion of Mr. Gooch, the motion was further modified and agreed to, as follows:

Resolved, That the members of the Senate upon this committee have permission to make such use of the testimony taken by this committee, in executive session of the Senate, as to them may seem expedient. Adjourned to 10 a. m. to-morrow.

WASHINGTON, June 24, 1862.

The committee met pursuant to adjournment. Absent: Messrs. Wade, Chandler, and Wright.

The following witnesses were examined: William Cooper, Anselm Hatch, Hamilton K. Gray, George H. Morse.

Adjourned to 10 a. m. to-morrow.

WASHINGTON, June 25, 1862.

The committee met pursuant to adjournment. Absent: Messrs. Wade, Chandler, and Wright.

The following witness was examined: William Kiernan.

Adjourned to Friday next at 11 a. m.

WASHINGTON, June 27, 1862.

The committee met pursuant to adjournment. Absent: Messrs. Wade and Wright.

The following witness was examined: General Irwin McDowell, recalled. Adjourned to Monday next at 11 a. m.

WASHINGTON, June 30, 1862.

The committee met pursuant to adjournment. Absent: Messrs. Wade Chandler, and Wright.

The following witness was examined: General Irwin McDowell, (concluded.)

Adjourned to Wednesday next at 11 a. m

WASHINGTON, July 2, 1862.

The committee met pursuant to adjournment. Absent: Messrs. Wade, Chandler, and Wright.

The following witness was examined: Captain Frederick Myers.

Mr Gooch, from the sub-committee appointed June 20th to wait upon the Secretary of War and ascertain what instructions, if any, have been given to our generals in the field as to the course to be pursued in regard to rebel property, submitted the following verbal report:

That the sub-committee had waited upon the Secretary of War, as directed, and had been informed by him that no special instructions in relation to the disposition of the property of rebels had been given to generals in the field; but it was understood and expected by the Secretary of War that whereever there was more property of rebels than was necessary for the support of the families and those depending for support upon those owners, it would be taken in the proper manner through the regular commissary and quartermaster's departments, for the use of the United States, and receipted for in the usual form; that the department had prepared a form of receipt, blank forms of which had been furnished to each general in the field, which secured payment to the parties from whom property should be taken, should they hereafter prove themselves to be loyal to the United States government; also, that where there was any property which might be used, or was liable to be taken and used, by the rebels, or which could be converted by them to use against this government, that property was also to be taken for the use of this government, and receipted for in like manner.

Mr. Gooch also laid before the committee the following resolution of the the House of Representatives:

"IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, June 16, 1862.

"On motion of Mr. Voorhes

"Resolved, That the committee on the conduct of the war be directed to inquire into the fact* therein stated, and report to this House whether, in the recent retreat of the forces under the command of General Banks, that the negroes thus accompanying his troops were thus cared for to the exclusion and neglect of wounded soldiers."

Adjourned to Saturday next at 11 a. m.

WASHINGTON, July 5, 1862.

The committee met pursuant to adjournment.
The following witness was examined: Dr. S. B. Stidger.
Adjourned to meet on call.

WASHINGTON, July 8, 1862.

The committee met pursuant to call.

The following witness was examined: General John Pope.

Adjourned till 11 a. m. to-morrow.

WASHINGTON, July 9, 1862.

The committee met pursuant to adjournment. Absent: Messrs. Wade, Wright, and Odell.

Referring to the preamble reported by the House of Representatives.

The following witness was examined: General Lewis Wallace.
Adjourned to 11 a. m. to-morrow.

WASHINGTON, July 10, 1862.

The committee met pursuant to adjournment. Absent: Messrs. Wade and Wright.

The following witness was examined: Uriah H. Painter.

Adjourned to 11 a. m. on Saturday next.

WASHINGTON, July 12, 1862.

The committee met pursuant to adjournment.
The following witness was examined: John Tucker.
Adjourned to Monday next at 10 a. m.

WASHINGTON, July 14, 1862.

The committee met pursuant to adjournment. Absent: Messrs. Wade, Wright, and Gooch.

The following witnesses were examined: General Joseph P. Taylor, General M. C. Meigs, recalled.

Adjourned to 12 m. to-morrow.

WASHINGTON, July 15, 1862.

The committee met pursuant to adjournment. Absent: Messrs. Wright, Gooch, and Odell.

The following witnesses were examined: Colonel B. S. Roberts, Colonel Herman Haupt.

On motion of Mr. Chandler,

Ordered, That any member of this committee be authorized to use such testimony taken before it, in either House of Congress, as he may deem expedient.

Adjourned to 12 m. to-morrow.

WASHINGTON, July 16, 1862.

The committee met pursuant to adjournment. Absent: Mr. Wright. The following witness was examined: Colonel Gilman Marston. The stenographer of the committee was directed to deliver the manuscript testimony taken before this committee to the Superintendent of Public Printing, with instructions to keep the same in a place of safety and under secrecy, and to hold the same subject to the order of the committee, or its chairman.

Adjourned to meet on call of its chairman.

WASHINGTON, December 5, 1862.

The committee met pursuant to call of its chairman; all the members present.

The following resolution was received from the House of Representatives:

"DECEMBER 4, 1862.

"Mr. Patton submitted the following, which was adopted: "Whereas it is reported that many abuses exist in connexion with the administration of Camp Convalescent,' near Alexandria, and until they are corrected the health and lives of the thousands of our brave soldiers there stationed will continue to be endangered: Therefore, be it

"Resolved, That the joint committee on the conduct of the war be directed to inquire and report upon the foregoing, with such recommendations as they may deem requisite."

Mr. Gooch stated that the House members of the committee had visited Camp Convalescent the day before. He proceeded to state the condition of the camp and what was evidently needed there in the way of reform.

After discussion, on motion of Mr. Chandler, it was

Ordered, That a sub-committee, to consist of Messrs. Gooch, Covode, and Odell, be appointed, with instructions to wait upon the Secretary of War, and urge that barracks be at once constructed for the accommodation of the sick and wounded at Camp Convalescent; and that, in the opinion of this committee, an inspector should be sent to all the hospitals with authority to direct the discharge of all men in them who may be unfit for future active service.

Adjourned to meet on call.

WASHINGTON, December 18, 1862.

Committee met pursuant to call; all the members present.
The following resolution from the Senate was received:

"IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES,

"December 18, 1862.

"On motion by Mr. Wilkinson, "Resolved, That the committee on the conduct of the war be, and they are hereby, directed to inquire into the facts relating to the recent battle at Fredericksburg, Virginia, and particularly as to what officer or officers are responsible for the assault which was made upon the enemy's works, and also the delay which occurred in preparing to meet the enemy; and to report the facts to the Senate."

After discussion, it was

Ordered, That this committee will proceed to Falmouth, Virginia, for the purpose of taking testimony, in accordance with the resolution of the Senate of this date.

The committee accordingly proceeded (Mr. Wright absent) to Falmouth, Virginia, where the following witnesses were examined, on the 19th and 20th of December:

Major General A. E. Burnside, Major General E. V. Sumner, Major General William B. Franklin, Major General Joseph Hooker, Brigadier General D. P. Woodbury, and Brigadier General Herman Haupt.

The committee then returned to Washington.