The New York herald., 1862-01-25

Important Movement Of the
Secretary Of War.
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Appointment Of Commissioners to
Visit and Provide for Union
Prisoners Of War.
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Proposed Reforms in the Medical De-
partment Of the Army.
->~O~~~~-~~~>~>~~>~~~-~
A Bill to Facilitate the Execution
of the Prize Laws.
Continuation of the Debate on the Slave
ry Question in the Senate,
&C., Ae., As.

WASHINGTON, Jan. "a, 1862.
IMPORTANT MOVEMENT BY SECRETARY srANr6N-RE-
LIEF OF UNION PRISONERS OF WAR.
The following has been issued by the Department.
WASHINGTON, Jan. "a, 1862.
This department recognizes the first of its duties to
take measures for the relief of the bravo men who,
having mporilled their lives the military service Of
the government now prisoners and capIves. II is
therefore, ordered that two commissioners appointed
to visit the city of Richmond Virginia. and wherever
else prisoners belonging to the army Of the United States
may be held and there take such measures as may be
nsedui to provide for the wants. and contribute the
comfort OF such prisoners at tho expense Of the United
States to such extent be permitted by the author
ses under whom such prisoners are held.
EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War.
APPOINTMENTS CONFIRMED BY THE SENATE.
In the executive session Of the Senate to-day Major
lewis G. Arnold, Second United States artillery was
nominated and confirmed as a Brigadier General.
The suspension Of the rules the confirmation of the
nomination without reference q committee was the
highest compliment that could be paid by the Senate
gallant anc efficient officer. General Arnold duty
at Fort Pickons and will probably relieve Brown
Of his command Of the post the latter in III health
and needs respite from duty with faint hope Of pre-
serving his life.
The nominations OF Judge Swayno Judge of the Su
preme Court Of the United States Of Peter H.
~ ASSEaht secretary OF were confirmed to-day.
No other combinations made.
The confirmation Of John Tucker Of Phladelphia as
Assistant Secretary Of War, suspended It in not
improbable that Senator's who have heard his
tion with the War Department desire know something
Of his antcocdons, and whether he has been en-
poyed by the department. and in what capacity un
der what circumstances.
GENERAL sIcKLEs, OF THE EXCELSIOR BRIGADE.
The Military Committee OF the Senate reported unani
mously to day in favor Of the nomination Of Daniel F.
sicklcs to Brgadior Goncraiship. This removes all
doubt OF his confirmation by tho Senate.
AFFAIRS ON THE LOWER POTOMAC.
Tho steamer King Philip, which camc up from the
notlA last evening, reports affairs unchanged down
river.
The King Philip Is in charge OF Acting Master Cook
Captain William Mitchell having resigned.
The brig Perry, which has been anchored below Alex
andria for somo tme left her anchorage yesterday
afternoon, aud proceeded down the river tow Of tho
Pusey.
The King Philp, her return to the yard mot the
Perry below Mount Vernon making good hcadway.
IMPROVEMENT OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT OF THE
ARMY.
For the last two days OF the most eminent ply
sicans and influential and wealthy ctizons OF Boston,
New York and Philadelphia have been in session in this
city arrange plan for tic greater efficiency of the
Medical Department. Of the army.
Yesterday General Mcclellan before the Board
and indicated to them enough of his plans as to
furnish them a basis to act upon in making their
preparations for the future. The Chairman of the
Senate Committee Military Affairs was present
at the meeting this afternoon, and after modify
ing, erasing. interining and adding to the original
BILL the following agreed upon the Chairman the
Senate Committee Military Affairs, Senator Wilson, ex
pressing the opinion that 1t would probably moct the
wishes of the committee
AN ACT INCREASE THE EFFICIENCY OF TIE MEDICAL DE
rARrMEyT ARMY.
Be II enacted by tho Senate and House OF Represent
atives Congress assembled That there shall be
rector general Of the Medical Department OF the army,
who shall have the grade, pay and omouments of
origaaier general and VINO snai, as cher OF the
signed to the Surgeon General, and such
other duties ms may DO required by law and regulations
There shall be Meiica Inspector General who shall
have the grade, pay and emouments OF colonel OF
vary and who shall, undor the Director General have
tho supervision OF all that relates to the sanitary cond
tion u the army. whether in Transports quarters
camps Of the hygiene, pelico discipline and efficiency
OF field and general hospitals under such regulations
may hereafter be established There shall be eight mcd-
cal inspectors who shall havo the grade ray and smou-
ments each Of sutoDant colonel Of cavalry and who
shall be charged with tho duty OF inspecting the sanitary
condition OF transports quarters and camps and of field
and general hospitals, and who shall report to tho
Sanitary Inspector General under such regulations
may be hereafter established, all circumstances relating
the sanitary condition and wants troops and of hos
pitas the skill efficiency and good conduct Of the
officers and attendants with tho medical depart
ment and these Offices shall, Immediately after tho pas
sage Of this act, be filled by the President by selection
from the medical corps of the United States Army such
officers as shall have proved their fitness for such posi-
tions.
tho provisions Of this act be and the here
by repealed.
FACILITATING THE EXECUTION OF THE LAWS RELA-
TIVE TO PRIZES.
Judge Thomas, of Massachusetts,, from the Committee
on the Judiciary has reported in the House bill to
Iitate judicial proceedings In adjudcatons upon
captured property, for the better administration
of the law OF prizes, which provides that the
Prize Commissioners shall receive and place
under seal any property captured and brought into
district aud place In custody Of the Marshal Of such
district II the Commissioners find on such examination
that tho property pcrshng or pcrishable or dcterio
rating In value they shall report 10 the Court, and the
Court shall ORDER upon evidence, nterlocutory sale
thereof by ths United States Marshal The proceeds
be deposited IN the registry OF the court TO abide tho
final decree.
The Prize Comm issioners TO receive from the priz,
masters all the papers, documents and testimony pre-
scrbcd by law pursuant to the rules adopted by tn
Court to up practicable deposit tn
same with the Court, which shall promptly be hear
and adjudcated upon. All reasonable charges 70
bringing prize property into custody shall, afte
being audited and allowed by the Court, be pai
out Of tho proceeds Of any SALE final nerocutary
tbe custody OF tho Court In Of decree OF restitr
son payment OF costs where sale has been made sue
charges and expenses shall constitute part Of said costs
10 be paid by the claimant
The Prize Commissioner the District Attorney, and N
counsel for csptors, shall receive suitable compcr
saon their services TO be determined by the Cour
end paid out Of the proceeds Of the przs property in h