Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1865-01-07

y
board, composed ofthree general officers am 10 re-,
quire from said board report upon the qpalifca-
tions and fitness ofthe officers whom he proposes to
recommend"
Mr.. MILES said he heartily sudenitirey approved
of the substitute of the gentleman from Alabama.
1t was directly in accordance with the policy so
often urged by him of giving our commanding Gen
erals the largest authority over their commands. lie
had not thought, from the temper of the House, that
they would be disposed TO so even so tar as the ORR
gnal proposition OF the committee.
He hoped they would adopt the substitute, which
he regarded as decided Improvement on the bill.
Mr. VlLLERE offered the following substi-
tute for the Sd section of the committee BILL and
advocated ii in a speech OF great length
"That the officers Of the old organizations, over
and above the number requisite orth new, shall he
entitled TO retain their rank. and commissions, il
pronounced worthy and competent by the examining
boards above provided said judgments TO be ap-
proved by the General and Secretary OF Var, aud
may, il they elect they and all other officers with
out commands, organize themselves into a corps OF
cavalry, to be commanded by che senior officers
Joining the command, subject TO the approval vi the
president Said corps shall perform such special
duty as the Secretary OF War or the General com
handing the Department, or separate army, may or
der. All officers not joining the above corps may
be assigned to such appropriate duties as the Seere.
tary OF War may prescribe; or may enlist In any Of
the regular organizations OF the army upon tender e
the proper authorities Of their resignation ior that
purpose
The following amendment, offered by Mr.. NOR
TON, OF NO. was adopted
Alter the word rolls the 4th line, strike out tC
the lith line and insert Officers who shall thus losl
their rank, and all other company, BATTALION regi
mental post or department officers except prison
Of war not assigned 10 duty who do not elect Il
serve III some company thus consolidated Or pre-
viously established, shall have the privilege, within
60 days OF forming themselves into companies, bat
taioLs regiments, such time and place as the
commander OF their respective departments shall
direct. The organization thus composed shall De
known ana designated the Confederate States
Legion oi Honor" SAID Legion OF Honor shall Ce
Othcered By election from It's own members with
the approval OF the President by and WIKI the ad-
vice and consent OF tls Senate each member there
Ok beng entitled - weaf sWCh decoration shall
" prescribed iCr this corps. SAID organization to
be equipI Ell IN the most approved STYLE aud 6rnl-
cd instructed insure it the greatest military
efficiency, aud shall in separate dctaC hInents
or collectively shall perform such special duty ~
the Secretary OF War the GeneTai commanding
tho DGp-FtEsnt. OF separate army, may order. All
officers not joining the above corps may be assigned
to such appropriate, duties the Secretary OF Val
may prestrlbe; OF may enlist i'll any OF the reslay
organizations o! the array upon tender to the proper
sEIhoYties of INSTRUMENTATION tor that purpose"
On motion of Mr. CHAMBERS, the Vote o. which
it was adopted was reconsidered
Pending its consideration
On motion OF Mr. SEXTON, Of Texas the House
adjourned.