Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-12-12
washipEtOn News and Gossip.
WASHINGTON, December 8, 1861.
REPUBLICAN CAUCUS.


members Of the House; Mr. Bingham intro.
dUced resolution that it was the duty of
Congress to pass forth with an act coufscat-
ing all the property of rebels and of their
aiders and abettors-lands, slaves and every
thing. He supported this proposition in
speech Of great force.
Thad. Stevens followed in his best vein,
maintaining the policy of the resolution, and
in the course of his remarks declared that
although he had long been estranged politi-
cally from Secretary Cameron, he must ac
knowledge that be was the only member of
this Administration who had evinced any
correct notions about the true method of
prosecuting the war, aud bringing it to a
speedy and successful close He start ed the
caucus by declaring that after Mr.. Cameron's
report had been accepted by the President
General Mcclellan went to him and threat.
ened to resign if it was sent into Congress
with the passage respecting the emancipa-
tion and arming of the slaves of rebels un-
modified.
Mr. Diven, of New York, first fell into OBJ
lection, but the full ten minute speeches
fiery and determined, of Judge Kelly, Messrs.
Lane of Kansas, Morris, Davis, Ashley; Con-
way, and Others effaced the trifling impress.
sion his opposition made, and gave the
comforting assurance that there was virtue
and courage enough in the House of Repre-
sentatives to save the war and save the
country. The caucus adj djourned the debate on
the resolutions to Wednesday night.
r.. BALLOON REooNNoIssANoE.
Yesterday protracted balloon reconnois-
ssDce was made from the river opposite Gen
eral Hooker's head. quarters. While the
balloon was up the rebel batteries fred at il
with shell, many of which burst directly un-
der it, though none within less than two
hundred feet AS the shells exploded the
occupant of the car de6antly waved the
American flag. fc..l
Prominent men from the West believe
that the army from the Western States can,
before spring carry the Stars and Stripes in
triumph to New Orleans. r.. +
| MODIFICATION.
Mr. Stevens, ,ofPennsylvania, has modified
his resolutions in several important particu
lars, namely, declaring there can be no solid
! and permanent Union SO long as slavery ex-
lists, and that all slaves be proclaimed free,
compensation to be made to loyal masters
who have been and continue to be support.
els CT the Union. /.
SLAVERY IN THE DISTRICT.
The bill introduced by Mr.. Hutchins, of
Ohio, to day, proposes Internationally to
abolish slavery in the District of Columbia.
COLONEL MuLLIGAN ARRIVED.
| Y
business is supposed to be connected with
the disaster at Lexington.
Secretary Welles is about to issue propo-
sails for the purchase of large number of
vessels of heavy tunnage, which are unfit for
sea. They are supposed to be intended
for the stone feet.
A general order has been issued by Gen
eral Mcclellan, eDjoining upon recruiting
officers the necessity of exercising more care
than heretofore in regard to the class of men
they accept for service.
/ On Tuesday night last the rebels sailed
out of the woods some seven or eight miles
above :, Rompey, Western Virginia, and
captured some wagon. trains, killing two
men and wounding several Others They
burned one or two OF the wagons, and started
of with the horses, A party was soor dis
patched from Romney after them, but did
Lot succeed in overtaking them.
SUNDAY IN THE CAMPS,
Conscientious chaplains have evidently an
unpleasant time Of it in the administration
! OF their pastoral labors. visited the camps
yesterday, but could discover but few evi.
dertcts that the Sabbath was observed at all.
short religious exercise was observed in
some OF the regiments, but even these had
but slim audiences. Generally, the men
were busiiy engaged in putting up log cabins,
and were as industriously employed as on
any previous week. day since they com
menced the erection of their log houses, II
the different regiments follow the example
already set in some camps, and erect log
chspels, it would give the ehaplains some
convenience to assemble congregation, but
now they have no PLACE for worship, and aE
the severity of the weather prevents them
from calling the men together in the open
air, it is next to impossible for chaplains tC
call any number Of hearers together for the
purpose of religious worship. Officers o.
the regiments should encourage the erection
of suitable log chapels, to be used during the
severe weather. .....-...
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