, 1862-01-30

FROM WASHINGTON.
Especial Dispatch to the Chicago Tribunc,l
WASHINGTON, January -, 1882.
The War Investigating Committee ycster-
tcrlay examined Gen. Banks and Col. Deyens
Oh the Battle Of Balls Bluff; and Col. Paine of
Wis, Major Bacon Of Mich, and Col. Warren
Of n. z. with others, on the Accomae ex-
peditior. The investigation Of both topics
will probably be continued tomorrow.
The Provost Marshal requires ali travellers
between Washington and Port Tobacco,
and vicinity, to have passes;
The roads being in military possession.
Bishop Ames and Hamilton Fish hare tclc-
graplcd their acceptance Of the commission
ship to our Southern prisoners.
Eight New York Representatives telegraph
I'd to the Legislature to instruct their Senators
in Congress to vote for tile expulsion Of the
traitor Bright.
Gen. Elijah Ward Of n. T., from the House
Committee on Commerce, las made a report
upon petitions praying for the abrogation Of
the Canada reciprocity treaty. So far from
advising IFS abrogation, the committee urge
that our commercial union with Canada should
be more rather than less intimate, The Com
nlittec, in the course Of q very long document,
discuss the resources and present condition
Of the British Provinces, and the state of our
present relations with them. 4 live policy is
most conducive to the welfare Of both coun-
tries, and incidentally leading to the princl-
pies Of the German commercial union.
Senator Summer introduced u bill yesterday
authorizing the President to appoint three
persons learned in law, to revise, simplify, ar
range and consolidate the United States sta
tutes, general and permanent in their nature
the head notes to reach the title Of acts, and
the subdivisions giving the substance Of the
acts in side notes, guiding to the text and re-
ferring to original acts and decisions under
them. The commission are to report TO Con
gresE, which shall correct contradictions and
enact the revision.
The House Judiciary Committee have deci-
ded that railroad companies which have re-
cciycd land grants from the Government, arc
not entitled By law to compensation for trans
porting troops and munitions Of war
It is denied on the direct authority Of Sec
retary Stanton that General Ripley, the head
Of the Ordnance Department, will be remoy-
cd, thougi Lieutenant Colonel Maynadier aud
other assistants to the Chief Of the Bureau,
against whom the testimony III Potter's re-
port is very strong, may be displaced. Ney-
ertheless, q change is looked upon Us likely to
occur before long, as Ripley is regarded very
slow and fosyish, and inclined to construe his
orders 60 as to give himself the least and the
Government the most trouble.
Stanton had the public on his shoulders yes
terday. Contractors and ofticcscckers sought
him in shoals. An inventor of a patent breast
plate was asked if it had been tested by the
board. No. he replied. "Then Ill order
4 test. Put it on and be shot at.''
"But I might be hit in some un-
protected part.'' "No, Col. Bcrdan shall
shoot-a sure marksman.'' The breast
plate inventor edged away. The candidates
fer suffers and second ieutenants were asked
if they had seen service. If "Ycs," they
were promised places. If "No," they went
away disappointed.
Tie bill Of August 5tb, comforting On the
President alone the appointing power Of addi
tional aids to Major Gcnerals, in accordance
with which McClcllan's were returned to The
President yesterday, will probably be repealed
SO that those in this, as in other cases, shall re
quirc confirmation by the Senate.
The late Papal officers, now in the service
Of the United States, have received order:
from the Pope to keep in readiness to return
to Europe at short notice.
General Lanes staff, as rc-arranged, is as fol
| lows: Col. n. Il, Merritt; Lieut.. Col Judsor
Fitzpatrick; Majors Champion Vaughn, Yer
plank Van Antwerp. John Ritchcy, T. J.
Weed; Captains J. R. M'Clurc, VIM. Kyle
". 4. Phillips, 4. Q. Russell, VIM. O'Don
nell, Folney HickoS, and Richard L. Shelly
| The last mentioned, who was not on the for
| mer list, is an Englishman Of India and Cri
| mean service.
4 member Of Gen. McC}cl1an's staff, having
discovered that officials acting under absolute
| MARYLAND laws had filed the old Capitol priso1
as well as the city Jail with masterless blacks
complained to Secretary Seward, who ordcret
their release.
A minority Of the House Committee ar
probably opposed to the abolition OF SLAYER,
in the District Of Columbia. No vote has &c
been taken on the subject; but when the re
suit is reached, Mr.. Upton, of Virginia, vii
| prepare the report against abolition, and Mr.
Ashley, Of Ohio, the minority report for abo
lition, vita, bill makingit Immediate.
Gen. Mcclellan, before the Committee o1
dcfences Of tie great Lakes and Rivers, to-day
recommended fortifying few commanding
points, as Mackinaw, Fort Gratiot, an
saut st. Marie; trusting mainly to armc
vessels, for which one or more depots Ehoul
bc established.
Only five members called for tho yeas an
nays on the mileage appropriation, which wa
voted piasa asocc.
Some Of the individuals accused in the Pei
ter report are highly indignant, and hay
opened correspondence with Witnesses. I'll
result mag be the lattcr's {witnesses) di:
charge instead Of the former,
Gen Stoncman, Chief Of Cavalry, has RI
commended reduction Of the seventy ~scye
nominal regiments Of volunteer cavalry t
| fifty; I'LL colonies and lieutenant coloncls t
bo examined by board, and two thirds put
command, the best men and company Office
to be kept and the unfit mustered il ass;,
fantry. Gen. Stoneman believes there will |
not more than fifty good regiments in 81
His plan is likely to prevail
The following paragraph is from 1riya
letter Of ont Of our best naval officers, st
: toned of Tybec leland. dlted Jan. l7s
II have been lying here now nearly mont
b,ockading Savannah riycr with charge
| water guard fos soldicrs. AS / sm not one
+k,cc ,uhc +{frk thss f1.;e war IL r. ia dan15.