The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1866-02-07
WASHINGTON News.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 2l.--The quarterulaster general
is literally overwhelmed with letters from parties resid-
ing in the late rebelous States claiming praying and
III many cases demanding compensation for damages
inflicted on their property by United States troops
during the rebellion Thus far he has fatty refused te
consider any claims even those put in by thoroughly
loyal persons for rents of property used by forces
in rebellious Districts and when the subordinate quar-
termaser has given the proper vouchers The follow
ing decision recently made by the uartermasters bu-
reau in regard to the claim of man Of undoubted
loyalty, residing in Winchester Virginia, may be con
sidered applicable TO all similar claims against the gov
ernment The quartermaster general says, Nlnches-
ter was hostile town, captured from an enemy who
did not surrender on terms, but driven out by
force OF arms, everything IN it prize OF var As
at Atlanta and Charleston buildings were occupied for
shelter of troops and for stock and wounded soldiers
1t does not appear that the military department should
order the payment of any rents under such circum-
stances. This decision was made in a case where
vouchers had been given BY order Of a commanding
general, for the use Of a blacksmith shop and tools
which not seized for public use until three months
after the final occupation Of Winchester by our troops
The reconstruction committee is now fully organised
and has begun its work. The members found after
thorough inquiry respecting matters that it would be
impossible for the whole committee to make the re-
CURED advisable examination of all the States lately
in rebellion and it has therefore been divided into four
subcommittee. Each of these subcommittee has a
senator at its head, and is assigned to the duty OF
making the necessary examination in regard to two or
three States, and it is understood that their reports will
be made directly to the two houses of congress, while
the committee whole viii make a separate report,
with recommendations. Two of the subcommittee ut
least, have begun the examination of witnesses Sew
era gentlemen who have made journeys of greater or
less length during the last six months in the south have
already been summoned appear before one or another
subcommittee and others have been directed to bold
themselves in readiness to appear when wanted There
are n q a Tennessee
first reported upon, but there Is probability OF an
immediate report even in respect to that State. With
respect to the other States need only be said that the
examination will be thorough enough to keep them on
probation Tor some months 10 come. The witnesses
called before the Subcommittee will not be wholly
northerncrS or temporary residents OF the south but
will embrace persons Of all classes thoroughly identified
with the States IN which they live. This rule will be
followed even in respect to State SO far away as Texas
from which witnesses will be summoned at an early day
Col. J. w Shatfer, late chief of Gen Buffers stuff,
who has recently returned from a two months tour
through Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana-an ac-
count Of which published in these dispatches-has
been requested by the reconstruction committee to give
@hem the benefit Of his observations in those States,
Col. S. will meet the committee tomorrow. Several
newspaper correspondents who have Travelled through
the SOUTH have also been to appear before the
committee.
While there is no question as to the ultimate passage
by the senate Of the negro suffrage BILL there is pro-
liability chat it will be amended by that body so as to
make any interference in the elections here misde-
meanoT punishable with heavy tine and Imprisonment.
Several OF the radical senator's express Their deerml-
nation TO INSIST upon the adoption OF such clause and
also compete change N 'ie 0isfict registry law
The government up TO Yesterday had not received
any official Intelligence relative to the reported capture
Oh B2gdad' mexico, pg the negro hhDqSters. lmme-
dateiy upon receipt OF me report mere Zen Sheridan
vas seie8FaPaeQ 10 investigate Tue matter ana sum
mary punish al engaged III the unlawful enterprise
IL is repofted tutI we 1lehch Hs'ef .Ao addressed
note 70 secretary e oGStrd REFUSING aim 70 commu
nation in relation to tie affair which may be received
by our government
II III, o M i - so tlouSs nave upg S,T
which provides for the PREPAYMENT of postage mon
newspapers at the publication house. The postmaster
general ana ocas y hl dep'Tt9enf favor Il and the
-o,rt in .yor of II io'rs,e wa
4 petition signed ~ governor Baker and the State
officers of Indiana and 10000 citizens Of that State
AGAINST tie pardon Of J,H Davis was presented TO the
president, Yesterday, By speaker Colfax Mr. johnson
tool, the petition smiled and said: "Il Law it beside
this bundle" pointing 10 an immense pile of ranusrrnt
ssyhieh Il Just as large petition for his pardonn
A petition, numeroaslv signed by copperbcad NOM
bers Of Tie bar throughout The country prayiDr for
ia rarJlon Of James A. Campbell late assistant score
tarv Of war Of the rebel Coufederacv will he asarfd
IN tho rrastdant To- rrorroy 0an1rilI II win hn no
n,o,ro7 1ocf sa,t On tho bancb Of tha errra,oa
na,rt r. ia ITntel Gtotas ofn rho rohcII;on
prosi4s,t Johnson in the course Of = coargotirr
,iiaI ,raYbn M ror,ros, esfI t.t No. ,r,,ld
si,, t I'm srclsfne tl raerocs Of tIis 1isriot
i 'goon id h rls n,ssed
Another 6isn,trb saws COY Aiken Of Sont5 Carolina
arrived YESTERDAY. ne says ale negroes are dong
failure unless something done to compel the negroes
to work. lie has been appointed to lay the matter
before the president and Gen. Grant, and if some
means cannot be devised to remedy the difficulty.
-
- 49, -, :. s.a,,:.. -
i'"Sa'il' "'o i''"e o1'" oOo4 s'''0 " o'"a """9
from Bull Run, as correspondent OF the London
Times undertakes to crcisc the geueraIship of Grant
tbrongb tbe col,rns Of tie London Army and NAVY
80. al..l H., A.. 7,,,u,au H.
o'Ns''e' "L'en y ~" eN.'u y III III Say :
II speaking OF Grants report;
Gen Grants theory Of war is simply this: " have
100000 men to the 10000 of the enemy. I shall
not attempt any sratgca movements. I shan not try
Wilt fight Tie enemy wherever | can in the eonvic,
ton that will make him lose as many men as do,
ana lnat at as |Geh nave rec reduced my men TO
tban Win III INV 10 nositior nroctice5 no rrord
movement, but hammered away until the head Of his