The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1864-05-26


joint preamble and resolution Of thanks
to Gen. Robert E. Lee. his officers and
men, engaged in the defense of Rich
mond, for the renewed assurance of their
prowess and devotion.
Mr. Echols moved to suspend the
rules and put the resolution upon its
passage. Referred to the Committee
on Military Affairs.
A PATRIOTIC EBULLIrIOS.
At this stage Of the proceedings, the
notes of the alarm bell penetrated the
chamber, wheFeupOn Mr. Rogers, of
Florida, submitted a solemn resolution,
that the members organize themselves
INTO company for the defense Of Rich
mOnd, and tender their services to the
military authorities.
A reference to the Military Commit
tee being made,
Mr.. Foote opposed any and al refer
enees. be was for adopting the re-
solve at once, and organizing immedi-
ately lie would move 10 make a joint
resolution, so as to include the other
branch.
Mr. Chambers, Of Mississippi, said
that for the benefit Of the gentleman
from Tennessee, he would ike to amend
the resolution so as to include all over
and above fifty years Of age.
Mr. Rogers said there were some
members on the floor disposed 10 take
his resolution in the light of Jest he
was sorry for that; il was no time for
testing Some pPofessed to believe that
the city was in no danger The ringing
Of the alarm bell did not sound like
peace, safety and security. Even then
the enemy were then laundering at the
outer gates Of the capital from two Op-
pOsite directions lie would counsel an
instant organization for our common
defense. There were men on this floor,
men of acknowledged military ability
and experience, men whom Napoleon
would not have rejected in the ranks Of
his grenadiers, whose experience would
be valuable in such an organization
The success Of great battles has turned
upon the presence Of one mere compa-
ny in critical moments lie regarded
the present as no time for balderdash
and jesting, but for sober, serious con-
sideration and action He had pro
posed the resolution in all seriousness,
and would ike to see it treated with that
consideration due it.
Mr.. McMullen, Of Virginia, support
ed the resolution, and was opposed to
any reference to delay.
Mr. Chambers, of Mississippi said he
did not want to be understood as max
ing light of the resolution, as the NOV
er had charged His colleague thought
the Capital in danger; he, for one, did
not. If there was any danger likely
to grow iminent unto peril, the militia
~ would give the executive and legls-
lative bodies, timely notice. 50 that the
security Of the Confederate Government
should not be ieOpardizcd As for him.
self, he had been sent here as a repre-
sentative, and he would preserve that
character. until it became necessary for
him to assume another. He might 90
upon the battlefield get killed, and
never be missed, but there were cOnsti-
tuted military authority, and constituted
legislative bodies, and both had impOr-
tant functions to perform in the hour
Of danger and trial like this lie was
satisfied that if danger was nigh, Con-
gress would hear from the President,
and means would be at hand to secure
the safety of all, and preserve the Con
federate Government intact
Mr. FOote was opposed to any modI-
fication of the resolution, and the march
ing away of the Congressional company
to the front post of danger. He did
not believe it would ruin OF hurt the
Government much if it were killed.
Mr. Chambers inquired whether the
gentleman spoke for himself alone.
Mr.. Blandford, of Georgia, moved to
Law the resolution on the table, which
motion failed
Mr.. Barksdale, of Mississippi, sub
mitted an amendment granting leave
Of absence to all members who wanted
to attach themselves to some military
company for the defense Of the capital
Mr. Orr, Of Mississippi, offered an
amendment TO an amendment, prOvid-
ing that while the enemy continued TO
threaten Richmond members may at
tach themselves to different military
organizations. with a view 10 lessen the
danger Of a wholesale capture. Mr. Orr
contended that no member had right
to place his usefulness TO his constitu'
ency in danger
Mr. Orr withdrew his amendment,
and Mr. Barksdale pressed his.
Mr.. FOOse contended that Congress
had a cooperate duty to perform as a
body, and it would not do, while the
more patriotic were of fighting the bat
tie of freedom, for the unpatriOtic few
to be sitting in these halls doing up
legislation obnoxious to the absent
braves. They should set a noble eX-
ample to the country and the world
and 20 in a body, and not sit here like
the Roman Senators Of old, waiting for
their boards 70 be- plucied by the IN
vader and themselves stricken down.
Mr. Whitfield, Of Virginia, thought
the volunteering of the members would
be virtually a dissolution Of the Gov
eminent People would say Congress
had been seized with a panic, and that
we were alarmed at the ringing Of that
bell BELL tolls
Mr. Blandford said that. as members /
had shown themselves sufficiently pa
triotic, he would move to lay the reso- /
luton on the table. Laid on the table. /
GETTING GALA
Blr. Barksdale, Of Mississippi, rose /
for a privilege question, and INDUCED /
in a personal explanation 70 the House. /
He was enabled 70 pronounce IN /
founded, the rumor that the enemy had /
captured the village Of Chester, on the /
Railroad, as the wires were
up and communication had been had 4
with Petersburg
Mr.. Foote followed in another per
sonal explanation lie had only stated /
what he had heard, that the enemy
was within two miles Of Drewry's Bluff,
marching on it with ten thousand men
He had not made the annunciation in
any alarm.
So the subject dropped, and what is
little remarkable, the alarm-Oell stop
ped tolling about the same time
From BatieF's Army.
WAsHIS0TOy, May p
The following from your special cor
respondent with Gen Butler, has just
been received aWe read in the North