The New York herald., 1862-12-19
NEWS FROM WASHINGTON.

NEWS FROM WASHINGTON.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 18, 1862.
INQUIRY INTO THE CAUSES OF FRsDRloxssUsG DIS
A6TKR.
Tho joint Committee of Congress the Conduct Of the
War, in pursuance Of Senator wkinson's resolution
adopted to-day left Washington tonight for the Kappa
hammock TO inquire into the connected with late
events near Fredericksburg. They accompanied by
Senator Wilson and several others
The senior republican paper hero terms COL Forneys
Efforts to bolster up the parties that responsible for
recent events at Fredericksburg "stupid and full Of
s1rontery."
RETURN OF HON. JOHN covoDs FROM EREDERICxs-
BURG.
Hon. John Covode, who was reported 70 have been
captured at Fredericksburg appeared in his seat the
House to-day After various adventures and hair breadth
escapes he made mastery tho Rappahan
mock, with the loss Of portion Of his baggage. Mr. Co.
vode performed valuable services in relieving
wounded officers and soldiers.
PROVOST MARSHAL OF FALMOUTH, VA.
stated that Brgadier General wadsworth has been
appointed Provost Marshal ut Falmouth.
FREMONT AND THE BANKS ExPEDITIoN.
General Fremont has expressed great surprise that the
Banks expedition has not gone up James river.
GENERAL sAxrON TO HAVE AN uMPORrANT CON-
MAND.
General saxton will probably come hither 70 take an
i'm p0rtant command.
GEN. HALLECK's STATEMENT RESPECTING M'cLELLAN
AND HIS OFFICERS.
Referring To the statement General Hallecks report
that nearly all the officers Of rank counseed the removal
Of General McCleans army from Harrison's Landing 1t
can be stated the best Of authority that there was
scarcely officer the Army Of the Potomac at that time
that did not regard the step suicidal An abundance
OF letters Of this kind can be furnished.
THE ARMY APPROPRIATION BILL.
The Army Appropriation bill, reported by the Commit
tee Of Ways and Means, foots up seven hundred and
thirty-one millions Of dollars.
THE POSTAL APPROPRIATION BILL.
Tho postal appropriation for tho coming year amounts
toSl2 900 OO0 This does not include the appropriation
for the California Central route for which special grant
Of 81 900 900 last year made which, is presumed
will be requested.
THE ARMY.
Brigader Generals Strong and Bssteed have been re-
ieyed from duty New York and ordered report for
duty-the former 10 General Grant, In the Department Of
Tennessee and the latter TO General Dix At Fortress Mon
roe
THE PORTER COURT MARTIAL.
In the Porter Court Martial to-day, Lieut. Colonel Fred
Myers and Major f. Barstow were the only witnesses
examined Their testimony brief, and had reference
merely 70 the character Of the night Of the 27th OF
August.
THE M'D0wELL COURT OF INQUIRY.
In the Mcdowell Court Of Inquiry the testimony
OF Colonel Myers, chief Quartermaster on Nc.
DoweIps stat, related 70 the seizure OF property
OF both loyal and dsloyal owners, In order
to satisfy tho immediate wants Of the troops.
which could not otherwise have been supplied. As to
haah
improperly furnished for such seizures he could
certainly say tho book containing that information hAv
ing been lost In the attack Cass Station Though he
knew OF one instance wherein a loyal citizen had been
suitably indemn6ed He further stated that quantity
of goods marked &C. 8. A." had been taken from the
possession Of Peeg Clarke but certificate either
given by him required. He had no personal acquaint
ance with Clarke, nor did he desire any.
After moments secret session the Court received
series Of letters from Gen. Mcdowell referring 10 his
conduct in the campaign Of the Shenandoah many Of
which read and the remainder deferred TO another
day
MILITARY DISCIPLINE IN WASHINGTON.
General Martindae, Military Governor, has been de
voting considerable attention 10 the sentnels who guard
the various posts within this city and District. He has
discovered that great axy OF discipline and remissness
guard duty exists and he is determined TO the
evil The regiments within the limits OF his command
hereafter to have their regular drills. reform In
these matters Is much needed.
THE NAVY.
The Naval Retiring Board, which has been in session in
New York will hold It's annual meeting In Washington
and after Monday, the 22d inst.
Lieutenant Commander Milton Haxton has been ordered
to the command OF the Kneo tho Western Gulf block
aaing squadron
Lieutenant Commander Hopkins has been ordered TO
the command Of the steamer Saginaw San Francisco
Lieutenant Commander Burnham has been detached
from the Bienvc and ordered TO the steam soop sacra
mento.
Master Henry Kean, OF tho rredonia, has been pro-
NOTED to bo acting volunteer Lieutenant
Acting Assistant Surgeon Thomas W. Mecklcy has been
ordered 70 the Ladona.
Acting Assistant Surgeon Jno. Flynn has been ordered
10 the Hendrix Hudson.
Acting Assistant Frank CLARK has been ordered 70 the
Currtuck
INrERYEREScE OF THE MILITARY WITH THE CIVIL
AUTHORITIES.
Another Of interference Of the military su-
thores with tho execution Of civil legal process occurred
to-day In tho forcble prevention by tho Provost Guard
the execution Of wr on repevn in the hands Of tho
United States Marshal for the District Of Columbia This
brings up the issue between the civil and military au
thortes upoa point altogether disconnected with the
case before Attorney General and asked instruction
upon tho subject Tho Of tho government has
been called 70 , and the question q the supremacy Of
civil law or arbitrary military power in this District
must be determined. The civil ofncers cannot,
without the support Of the government be expected 10
the laws they appointed 10 execute and un
less this support shal accorded here will sson be no
civil government remaining in Washington
PROCEEDINGS or THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
The proceedings tho House today were not particu
larry interesting The subject Of the conduct Of tho war
reference 10 late events has not yet bcen taken up by
the Generals in that branch OF Congress-
Mr. Yeaman, the new member from Kentucky, made
his maiden speech in which he combatted earnestly and
forcibly the emancipation proclamation.
A skirmsh occurred between the border State mem.
bers and the radicals In tho House this afternoon Mr.
wrklic, Of KY resisted the action Of the Judiciary
Committee in reporting that his bill for the relief OF loya,
citizens who had been deprived of their slaves by the