Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1863-12-17

officers and privates in the army fifty per
cent
The daily hour of meeting was fixed at
two O'clock
WASHINGTON, Dee 8.
hoVsE.-MePherson was elected Clerk, re-
ceiving l01 votes against 90 for Ftbaridoa He
was then declared elected and entered unon
the duties of his office.
Ordway of New Hampshire was elected
Sergeant-at Arms.
The House reelected Ira Goodnow the
present incumbent, doorkeeper. He recaiv-
ed 9S votes, 70 being necessary to = choice
W. S. King of Minnesota, was re-eIpcta5
postmaster by 104 out of loo votes cast
Mr.. Dawes presented the credentials of
Messrs Segar, Kitchen and Chandler from
Virginia, which were referred to the Com
mittee on Elections.
Mr.. Washburne, Of Illinois, offered a reso-
luton presenting the thanks of Congress to
Maj. Gen. Grant and the officers and soldiers
who have fought under him during the re-
belllon, and providing that the President
cause a medal to be struck for Gen Grant. in
the name of the people of the United States,
This was passed unanimously, without a word
OF debate or explanation.
Mr. Cox said he desired to offer a resolu
ton respectfully requesting the President to
take immediate steps for the exchange of our
prisoners IN the prisons of the South, and
that he communicate all correspondence IN
the War Department relative to the exchange
OF prisoners. After some discussion the reso-
luton was laid over
Mr. Arnold gave notice of bills to prohibit
slavery forever in the territory included in
the Presidents emancipation proclamation;
also to repeal so much of the enrolment act
as authorized the discharge of person draft
ed on the payment of $500.
SENATE.-Senator Wilson, of Mass, sub
mitted a resolution that the committee on
Military Affairs inquire what legislation is
necessary to facilitate the payment of back
pay and pensions of deceased soldiers, SC.
Senator Davis, of KY, submitted the fol-
lowing:
ReSooed That the refusal of the rebel authorities
to exchange negro soldiers and their white officers
should not prevent the exchange of our other SOL
diers and officers in rebel prisons on such iustterms
as will prevent suffering to our brave officers and
soldiers in the hands of the enemy.
The resolution was laid over.
Senator Sherman called up his resolution
that the Judiciary Committee inquire and re-
port whether Robt. Wilson was still Senator
from Missouri.
Senator Trumbull moved to amend the res
olution by declaring that Wilson was not en-
titled to seat in the Senate, which was
agreed to, and the resolution as amended
was adopted.
The Clerk of the House appeared and an
nounced that the House had organized. and
appointed a committee to wait upon the Pres
ident, with the Senate committee, to inform
him that both Houses were ready for business
Senator Wilson, of Massachusetts, gave
| notice of bill to increase the bounty for
volunteering, and to make an appropriation
for the same.
PR RECLAMATION BY THE PRESIDENT
EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, D. c., Dec.7
Reliable information having been received that
the insurgents force is retreating from East Ten
nessee, under circumstance rendering it probable
that the Union forces cannot be hereafter dslodged
FROM that important position, and esteeming this
to be of high National consequence, recommend
that all loyal people do, receipt of this mfor-
nation, assemble at their places of worship, and
render special homage and gratitude to Almighty
| God for this great advance of the National cause
(Slgne6 ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
FROM EAST TENNESSEE.
KNOXVILLE, Dec. 5.
| A special to the Tribune says the seige of
| Knoxville is raised, and Longstreet with his
army is in full retreat towards Virginia. It
| virtually terminated yesterday, when at an
early hour the advance guard of our rein
forcements under Gen. Sherman arrived The
enemy, during tIa last few days, kept up an
active show of an intention to prolong the
seige or renew an assault until early this
morning, when reconnaissance sent ont by
| Gen. Ferrero found their works empty.
A disorders in rbp
| port that the main body moved off after dark
| last night leaving the rear guard and pickets
IN their rife pits to fall back at A. NJ, and
join the remainder, who, they were told,
would form line Of battle short distance
east of Cincinnati. This ruse was adopted to
| prevent their premature abandonment of their
picket line.
Gen. Shackelford with his cavalry, is al
ready IN pursuit and close upon their rear
Prisoners and deserters are continually arriv-
ing in squads Of 10 to 20.