The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1862-01-07
xxXVII Congress- First Session
w ashington, Jan. 6.

HoUsE.-Mr. Conklin rising to ques.
ton Of privilege, called attention to the
fact that, on the second day Of the ses.
sion resolution was adopted with refer
ence TO the battle of Balls Bluff. The
resolution proposed noInyestgation intoany
future transactions whatever. 1t simply
requested the Secretary of War to inform
the House whether any steps have been
taken to ascertain who was responsible for
the disaster. The resolution was handed
to the Adjutant General, who submitted
1t to the Commander-in-C Chief. He
(Conklingtwas unwilling to believe that
the COMMANDMENTS Chief had read the res
olution, because he could not impute to
him the design to trihe with the House,
and return an evasiye answer. If he did
read 1t, he certainly misunderstood its
purport. He seemed to have received
the impression that future enquiry was
to be instituted, and that of very gen
eral character, and be accordingly ex-
pressed an opinion to the Adiutant GEN.
eral, which was reported to the Secretary
OF War, and by the latter transmitted to
the House The answer TO the resolution
did not inform the House that steps had
been made to show who was TO blame for
the Balls Bluff disaster. The response
was evasive. Now this was disregard
OF the privileges of the House which
ought to receive and requires prompt
notice, unless We consent to trampling
on of our rights. We should watch with
jealous eye the right Of Wholesome in
quiry. The inquiry related to a great
national eaian'ity, and the most atrocious
military murders ever committed in our
history, and the most humiliating triumph
OF the rebellion, a blundcr so gross that
every man can see it and no one who has
ever dared to deny or defend it. Besides
the defeat and large loss of arms and NUM-
lions Of war, there WAS sacrifice of $50
men. The resolution to which he fGon-
king referred was proposed out of re.
sPeet to the memory of those men aud in
Difference to the public property and self
respect to the nation. It was to inquire
whether the military authorities have ta-
ken any steps whatever to ascertain who
is responsible for the slaughter of the
sons of New York, Massachusetts and
Pennsylvania. General Stone, who was
In command, is a member Of the regular
army. Gel. Baker was Il volunteer. The
respective friends of these gentlemen have
raised question as to the merits of the
case involving the efficiency of regulars
and volunteers. He (Conkling) had no
liberation for such controversy. An in
qalry was absolutely necessary. The man
that is to blame should fall upon his knees
and ask pardon. If Col. Baker was re-
spoaslble, most lamcntably has he suffer-
ed. If General Stone is responsible, a
greater weight Of guilt never rested upon
any other man than upon him.
Mr.. Conkling, in the course of his re-
marks, said the Government is spending
two million of dollars day with over
100000 men in the field. Whenever we
have made an advance We have been OUT
numbered and ANONYMOUSLY defeated,
and yet the House and the country are de-
MED the right of knowing who is respon-
sible. IT we cannot have indemnity for
the past, in the name Of humanity let us
have security for the future. Let us
know who is responsible for the disgrace
full disaster at Balls Bluff He said after
the publication of Adjutans General
Thomas report relative to General FIRE.
mont, certainly no publication Of anything
connected with the army should be sup.
pressed. Mr.. Conkling WAS very pointed
III his remarks md scvcrri in his comments
He offered . preamble reeisiag the resoiu-
ton heretofore adopted, md ihe response.
with resolution that the
answer to i = 1sithae sespoaslve nor SGT.