Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1862-02-21
37th Congress-lst Session.

WASHINGTON, 18th.
SESATE.-Mr. Harris presented petition
from eitzsus of New York askn. that the
full rank of Major General be conferred up
on Gen WOOL
Mr. Latham reported bill authorizing a
survey relative to u telegraph to the AmJar
River.
The joint resolution was taken mp rcatiy,
to the mode of settling the ORG N and
/ Washington war debt.
| Mr., Lane Of Indiana. read a despatch To-
ceivcl by Gen. Mcclellan, announcing the
capture Of Fort Donelson. There was cen
siderable laughter when he stated that Floyd
had escaped. Loud applause greeted TIE
news.
The Vice President-Thats all right
(Renewed applause and cheers
Mr.. Grimes said he hal information that
the city Of Savannah WIS also taken. (Re-
newed aPplause.)
The resolution in regard to tie Oregon
war debt Was pass d.
The bill! pgo,iiing FIR the better or3ani-
cation of the army was taken up.
Mr.. Fcssenden moved to reduce the num-
Der of cavalry regiments from 80 to 50.
Mr.. Foster said il is evident that we want
more cavalry. The man called Floyd Lad
had stolen away from Font DonelsJn and
we needed cavalry to catch the thief
Mr.. Johnson offered i5int resolution ten
dering the thanks OF Congress to the officers,
soldiers and scamcn Of the army and navy
for their heroic gAliantry, which, under the
/ providence Of God. had achieved saeh brill
ant victories over the enemies OF tic Union
and Constitution.
Mr.. Wilson opposed the reduction Of the
number of regiments. lie did not think TIE
war was over vet.
Mr.. Wiley agreed with Mr., Wilson. He
thought cavalry would be needed to suppress
the guerilla bands, as it would be tha only
arm OF the service That could reach them
eff,ctually.
Mr. Ft.sanden modified his amendment -
as to read 10 instead of 30, which was
ad0ptei-2j to 10.
Alter further discussion, tie bill was laid
ever.
The senate then went into executive ses-
sion.
Adjourned.
HorsE Mr. ColFax Of Indiana. amid
I profound silence SAID Gen McC1elIan had
authorized him u inform the House that he
had Just received a despatch from Cairo, in
| forming him of the arrival OF the gunbuat
| Garondcict this morning, bringing news Of
the capture Of Fort D9ncls1a yesterday by
| the lind forces Of the United States, with
,0G0 prisoners, including Generals A. Sid
! 10y Smith, Johnston and BdcknCr. General
Floyd r.n and escaped. Very heavy loss on
both sides. (Applanse with laughter at the
/ latter part OF the despatch J Mr.. Coliax
WIS sarr9anded hy tle meAsers - heag fur
! Their news.
Mr.. Mallory Of Kentucky, in Vi W Of
this graft, ing fact, moYed 10 4di3ara, but
| the House refused.
Mr. C9lfax said lie had further news from
Fort D5nes1n, from rebel sources.
Cries-"Let's hear it." Intense excite
ment. The speaker called the H9us, 10 o.
der Deep silence
Mr.. Coliax then read despatch brought
By the flag Of truce from Norfolk, confrm-
ing the capture. applause on the floor aud
Mr.. Bright Of Penn, moved to adjourn.
He sand the House was evidently not in a
proper condition for business.
Mr. Mallory moved to discharge the Com
mitice on the Conduct Of the war, as from
the good news it seemed to be of no further
u.s.. daughter aud cries Of agreed.
"asreed. y
Mr.. Washburne of Illinois remarked that
the news was So gratifying that the House
was evidently in no temper for businrss and
suggested to adjourn, but the House again
refused
Mr.. Gooch of Massachusetts defended the
course Of the Committee on the War. The
question being IN employing a stenographer
tor the Committee, he called on Mr. Wisk.
4 L. IN pf Il .ptn.Ex- 8
the statements made On Friday.
Mr.. Wicklile said he had seen it stated
that the Committee had the General in- Chief
before them.
sir. Gooch-"By what authority?"
Mr.. Wickliffe-..Will you deny the fact y
Mr.. G9och-..l again ask by what author
ity?"
Mr.. Wieklfe-.'And ask whether you
deny the fact?'
Mr.. Gooeh said he presumed the gentle
man made the statement ON the authority Of
the newspaper paragraph. H. was FREE to
say that the g aneral-in-Chief did appear BE-,
fore the committee, not by summons, but by
invitation. lie supposed the House had to
much re,Iect Tor the committee to suppose
that they would ask him any question per.
tanning To the conduct OF the war lie was
not called IN as witness.
The debate w4s continued, and the result
ton giving the committee stem grapaer
was adopted
Mr.. Loyejoy's bill for the establishment of
department. Of agriculture, passed, lj2 u
4 I. The salary OF the commissioner is re-
duoe1 To three thousand dollars.
The House went into COMMITTEES Of the
Whole, and considered the Post 0lice ap-
preparation bull
Mr.. Arnold Of Illinois spoke against slave
ry.
Mr. Blair Of Missouri, from the Military
Committee, reported the Senate bill making
an Appropriation for the signal service Of the
army. Pass d.
Adjourned.