Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1865-02-20
Confederate States Congress.
SECOND CONGRESS- SECOND SESSION. g
SENATE.


SATURDAY, Feb. 1s, 1865.
Prayer by the Rev. Robert Cat ewood, of the
Episcopal Church.
Mr.. VEST, Of Nj ssouri, introduced bill provi-
ding that all reserve persons within the reserve"
age, who shall be refugees, shall be oiled at the
places Of their temporary residence, wherever that
may be- within the Confederate States at the time
of the passage of the bill Referred to the Military
Committee. =
Mr.. WIGFALL, from the Military Committee,
reported back adversely House bill to amend the
act 10 furnish the army with tobacco
Mr.. WIGFALL, from the same reported back
favorably House bill to secure the more efficient
transportation of troops and munitions Of war
Considered and passed.
Mr. WIGFALL, from the same, reported back
some papers relative to the quality Of tobacco fur
nished the army, and asked for q select committee
TO consider and inquire into the subject.
1t was ordered that the Chair appoint the select
committee.
House bill to regulate the promotion of officers
under certain circumstances, was reported favor
ably from the same committee and was passed.
Mr.. SEMMES, from theFinance Committee, re-
ported back, with amendments, House appropria-
tion bill, which,
On motion, by Mr.. BROWN, was postponed till
Monday.
House bill to diminish the number of exemptions
and details then taken up, the question being
on agreeing to certain amendments proposed BY the
Il Senate Military Committee.
The amendments were agreed to without discus
sion, and the bill passed in the following form;
II BILL TO DIMINISH NUMBER OF EXEMPTIONS AND
DETAILS.
The Congress of the Confederate States OF America do
enact That SO much OF the act ~ organize forces TO
serve during the approved February ~ 1854
enpts person a2ric ulturis1 each
farm OF plantation upon which there were, al specified
times fifteen able bodied held hands between the ages
sixteen and fifty upon certain conditions is hereby
repealed Provided That exemptions vi persons over
ofy hye years OF age may be granted under the pro-
visions OF the act aforesaid and said persons shah be
liable Ia military service upon the expiration vi the time
far Inch they received exemption BY reason oil having
executed bohds Tor year from the date thereof.
Section No exemption OF detail shah be granted by
the President Secretary of War by virtue Of said act
except VI persons lawfully reported by board OF
geons unable " perform active service in the field per
SONS the age OF forty years and of labores art
zanl mechanics, and OF persons OF scientific skill
pioyed by working for the Governments, State OIL
Confederate and shown by proper testimony 70 be such
abores artzans mechanics persons OF scientific skill
and with the same exceptions all exemptions and details
heretofore granted BY The President Secretary Of War
by virtue u said act, are hereby revoked
SECTION 3. That oil skilled arzans aud mechanics who
engaged in the employment OF the Government Of the
Confederate States hereby exempt from II military
service during the time they are 30 employed Provided
That persons whose services abors or skill may be
u.euy employed for the public good ut home than in the
HELD be determined by the Secretary of War the
sworn testimony OF dsnteresed witnesses under such
rules and regulations he may prescribe and the
all persons exempted detailed together with the
for the detail shall DO submitted to Congress
l the beginning al each session.
i On motion VI Mr.. BURNETT, the Senate then
resolved into secret session TO consider the negro
| soldier bill.