Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1864-05-10

Dill W pe CclhCllSh tIc CfCIb lJl LILO
I'tion OF claims against tho Confederate States.
Referred to the Judiciary Committee.
Mr.. HILTON, Of Fla, introduced bill to
increase the rank and pay of adjutauts of
regiments ard independent battalions. Re-
ierred.
Mr.. BELL, of Ga, introduced a bill to COM
pensate owners of slaves in certain cases
| therein mentioned. Referred.
Mr.. AHpERsoN, of Ca, offered a resolution
of Inquiry relative to the refunding to soldiers
| and officers Of tho army, who had been paid
off before the lst end after the 18th day OF
February, 1864, the one-third depreciation in
the currency.
Mr.. PERKINS, of La, offered tho foilowing
preamble and resolution:
Whereas, an impartial publication CT the
debates in Congress, stating accurately their
| Legislative measures and the reasons urged Tor
md against them, .is desirable OBJECT, mas
much as it may aid the Executive in admins
tnrirg tho G0yornm' Mt, the Judiciary IN cx-
pounding the laws, the Government and cti-
znns in the several States in forming Judg'
| ment of the conduct of their Representatives.,
and Congress themselves in revising and
amending their legislative proceedings; and,
whereas, from the want of proper arrange
mcnt, such publication has not been accom-
pished
Resolved, That a committee of five member
be APPOINTED by tho Speaker to inquire and
! report if suitable persons skilled in stenrgra-
phy can be secured to make accurate and i'm
partial reports Of the subjects submitted to the
consideration Of this House and tho debates
| thereon.
MIR. PERKINS eaid that this resolution was on
, identical copy of the resolution Of the Cont
mental COMPRESS Of l791, when General Wash,
ington was President
The Restitution was adopted.
DEFENCE OF RICHMOND.
| Mr.. FooTE, of Tenn, presented the memo
! rial n. Carroll, Of the Engineer Department,
setting forth plan to establish such works in
! and about the city Of Richmond ",chich would
etsctualiy desIroyffy Mousandc IF the enemy
IN ere,y fire minutes space Of time"
! Referred to the Military Committee.
! Mr.. Oar, of Miss, introduced bill to
amend an &c. to increase the efficiency of the
army, BY the employment of slaves and free
negroes in certain capacities, and to repeal m
act for the enlistment Of cooks in the army
approved April Goth, 1862.
SECRET SESSION.
THO resolution of Mr.. FooTE concerning
secret sessions having been called up,
Mr.. 4. II. GARLAND, Of Ark, read the
rules concerning secret sessions of the CONT
mental Congress of l79l, under Gen. Wash
ingtou's Administration. Also all the rules
of the provisional and permanent Congress of
the Confederate States in relation to tho sub
iect. lie said that he did not regard popular
clamor 20 long as he performed his duty with
an eve to whaa he regarded the Interests Of
L bok would ho r,n1 rp 10
for to. day might not do for tomorrow, and he
vas not in favor Of change in the present
rule unless there was sOnlo necessity for it,
Ho was in favor of the reference Of the reso-
luton to the Committee on Rules.
Mr.. UEIsKELL, Of Tenn, called the ques-
ton ard the motion to refer was agreed to.
TENNESSEE ELECTIONS
Mr.. iEISKELL, of Tennessee. introduced q
bill TO provide for holding elections i'll case OF
vacancy in the representation of any State i'll
the Congress of the Confederate States. Refer
red.
Also an act to amend an act Of the Congress
of the Confederate States to provide for the
holding of elections for representatives in Com
gress from the State of Tennessee. Referred.
Mr B,KKsDALE, OF Mississippi, introduced
bill TO amend the Currency Law. Referred to
the Finance Committee.
Mr.. BALDWIN, of Virginia. introduced bill to
establish Depot of Inspection.
RAILROAD COMPANIES.
Mr. MnvTaGrE. nf Va. intrndnred 4 resolution
that the Finance Committee consider the pro-
priety of exempting and releasing from import
Iuties machinery and materials for repairing the
same, imported during the existing war by Rail-
road Companies. Adopted. Also resolution
concerning the propriety of e1empting from tax
alton the property and stock of such companies.
Agreed to.
INVALID CORPS.
Mr. STAPLES, of Va, off rec. = resolution Of
inquiry MS to the c1pediency OF reporting f. bill
to amend the act ito proyide for an Invalid
Corps" as to embrace within The provisions
thereof officers and privates who have hereto
fore resigned or been discharged from service in
consequence Of wounds received or disease con-
tracted in the service of the Confederate States
Agreed to.
Mr. FuSSrEN. of Virginia. introduced a bill to
amend the act organizing military courts in the
ED. Referred.
PUBLIC PRINTING.
Mr. F0oTE said he understood the public
printer could not have the report of the Secretary
of the Treasusy ready for the House to-day, rs
the printers were about 10 be taken out into the
military service.
Mr.. BALDwIN of Virginia, said that it was n
very small matter 10 exempt from military duty
some six or seven printers, in comparison to the
stoppage of the operations Of the Senators aud
Representatives.
After some discussion. Messrs. Foote, Bald
win and Chambers Ct Mississippi, were appoint
ell u committee TO wait on the Governor Of Fir-
GINA, to confer with him upon the matter
Mr. FooTE reported that the committee had
conferred with the Governor, and that he had
Informed Them it was not his intention 10 take
the printers from work, unless the enemy should
come in close proximity to the city.
On motion of Mr.. RUSSELL, Of Virginia, the
House adjourned.
THE CAPTURE OF FORT PILLOW.
The special correspondent of the Mobile
Register" furnishes that paper with tho fol-
lowing graphic count Of tho capture of Fort
Pillow by Gen. Forrest:
On Monday evening, the l2:h two brigados,
commanded respectively by Coils. McCulloch
and Bell, moved from Brownsville out on the
Fort Pillow r.ad-the distance between the
two points is about f,rty miles. Neeley's
brigade had previously moved down the Mem
phis road to Raleigh, only eight miles there
from, to make demonstration on the former
place, assuming preparations for building
pontoons across tho Wolf river at the latter
place, and otherwise demonstrating his force
so as to attrac; their attention. This russ
Vas complete success, as will be afterwards
shown.
Once en- route for our real point of attack,
it was highly important that we should move
vigorously and right ahead, to prevent the
Union people who we're known to exist along
the route baving any time to carry the news
Of our approach to the fort We arrived in q
few miles of the fort by three O'Clock in tho
morning, having travelled all nighs through a
slow rain, aud halted for the appearance of
dry. Learning where the pckets were post
eI, General Chalmers sent squad ahead,
under guide, to surround and capture them.
The surprise was perfect, BIZ three out Of the
seven escaped, the remaining four were
brought in, and confirmed previous reports
we had received from scouts regarding tho
strength of the garrison, placing it at four