, 1861-12-10

FROM WASHINGTON.

Especial Dispatch to the Chicago Ttibune.1
WASHINGTON, December 0, 1861.
There Las been discussion in the Senate,
to-day, concerning military disasters, on a
resolution Tor committee to inquire into the
general couduct Of cur campaign, offered bV
Mr. Fessenden. The debate was participated
in by himself. Grimes, Wilson, Sherman and
others. It was uncomnonly earnest and in
teresting. MIR. Sherman contrasted the self
sacrificing energy Of the country Will, the
suplneness and lukewarmncss in Government
quarters here. Mr.. Wilson referred to the
glaring contradictions i'll tile proclamations Of
Generals commanding different corps Of the
army, and the lack Of a common system or
policy. He thought the campaign in South
Carolina the worst chapter of tile war. All
agreed that there had been bIunderinr some
where.
Tie majority in the House for Mr.. Lovejov's
motion was smaller than it would lave been
had another made it.
Judg&, ,Trumbuu will shortly introduce a
bill rcorganizing the Supreme Court, on the
basis OF population. The New England States
New York. and Pennsylvania, embracing ten
millions, will remain as now, with three
judges. viz: Clifford, Nelson. and G7icr The
Southern States, excepting Kentucky and
Missouri, will be assigned three Judges, viz:
fancy, Wayne, and Catron. The Western
STATES, including Missouri, and embracing ten
and half millions, will have three new
Judges. Kentucky aud Ohio will be one Cir.
cult; Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and South
ern Wisconsin another Circuit and Ainncso-
ta, Iowa, Missouri, and Kansas another. The
Pacific States will remain Us before, under an
Independent Circuit Judge.
Secretary Chase said, in response to toast
at Il dinner giyen by the Union Club Of New
York, that the blackest negro in South Caro-
lima, though black as midnight, in lis eyes
is whiter than the whitcst rebel. H. was yc-
hemcntly checrcd by the company, among
whom was VIM. B. Astor.
Brisadicr General to-day remarked that
tile army Of the Potomac was trying the tex
haustiEc process not for the exhaustion Of
the rebels, but Of the Treasury.
court martial couyencs Tomorrow for the
trial Of the Surgeon General Of the army, Gle
ment L. Finley. Gen. Aleigs prcsidcs; Major
Lee Is Judge Advocate, The gist of the char
a>S "GaAnst utAA 11s1 lAut luu 0ucuslfC l11l-
guage and conduct towards Dr. Triplcr, the
Medical Director Of the army of the Potomac.
It is understood that the difhculyihas been one
Of long standing, and it is a thorough disagree
ment between two doctors.
The suemy have attacked With six riaed can.
hon, dam No. 5, distance Of seven miles
above Ni}liamsport. The firing closed for a
While, but commenced again to-day upon four
locks with mortar and shell. No damage has
been done to the canal and nothing has oc-
Cured to make its reconstruction inpractica-
b}e
L force Of cavalry moved from Winchester
toward Harpcr's Ferry, yesterday, apparently
engaged i'll scouting and foraging.
VIM. Hcine, the artist of the Japan Expc-
ditioD, was to-day mustered into the service as
an aid to Gen, Heintzelman, with tle rank Of
Captain.
Col. Kerrigan's trial for conduct rrejudici:l
to good order in the army, was commemorate
day. The specifications comprise neglect to
instruct Lis soldiers, allowing them to indulge
in disputes and hrawls; allowing Ills parade
grounds to he filthy; absenting himself from
duty, and drunkenness one the march. He
looks thin and liaggard.