Year: 1865

TREATMENT OF PRISONERS OF WAR.


In the rebel Senate January the following resolution
reported by Mr. Watson of Mississippi and ordered
to be printed


that committee OF three the part Of the Senate and
on the part OF the House, be appointed 10 inves-
tgate and report the condition and treatment Of the
prisoners Of respectively held by the Confederate and
United States governments and also upon the Of
their detention and refusal to exchange which said
mtee shall have authority to take Testimony and send
for persons and papers.


GENERAL EARLY AND THE APPLE BRANDY COM


MITTEE OF INVESTIGATION.


On the same day communication received from
General Early expressing regret that the Senate had
thought proper to relieve the Committee Military
Affairs from making inquiry into the OF the
in the valley and inviting the fullest inquiry
and investigation


In his letter General Early says that IL IL Is that
the In the valley resulted from the frequent
Of apple brandy other intoxicating drinks by the
commanding officer, gravcr subject could engage tho
attention OF Congress and he therefore asked that the
subject be referred TO special committee The General
utterly denies the charge OF drunkenness and asserts
that is without tho shadow Of foundation He further
more challenges the production Of any respectable
OF any grade or position who will state that he
him General Early under the influence Of intoxication
In the camp, the march, In battle He also
that since he ecrosscd the Potomac, his troops have
fought Ave battles and had great number OF skrmshes
In the FIRST two OF these battles the enemy defeated
in the second two his troops defeated by overwhcm
ing numbers; but he afrns that the cnemys loss
more than three times his own In the hfh and last bat
tic he states that victory obtained which would
have than compensated for the previous defeats had
the troops remained steadas but II was lost and given
up by the bad conduct OF the troops resulting from
OF discipline which Is inherent In whole system
OF organization. The General closes with the remark
'that candid investigation will satisfy tho Senate OF
these truths and that II IS well worthy OF It's adoption
THE BILL FOR CONSOLIDATING THE REBEL REGI-


MENTs.


The following is tho bill of Mr. Sparrow providing for
the reorganization OF the companies baaons and reg
ments in the rebel armies


The Congress of tho Confederate States OF America do
enact


l. That whenever any companies which are now in
the service shall be reduced TO number less than
thirtytwo rank and e present and n for duty and
when shall be proved 10 the satisfaction Of the Secre
ary of war or OF the general commanding the depart
ment Of the army in which said companies may be
serving that they cannot be recruited 20 that number
within reasonable time, the general commanding said
department or army SHALL under general regulations to
be issued by the Secretary Of War; dsband such compa
MES


2 That now companies may be organized from tho
MES thus disbandcd IL they from tho same State
having the number rank and Me now fixed by law, and
the commissioned officers OF said companies thus organ
ized, shall be captain and nrst and second lieu
tenant and the oncommissoncd officers four sergeants
and four corporais.


8 That companies, " they are from the same State
may be organized into battaons and regiments and tho
officers FOR said companies battaons and regiments shall
be Immediately designated and placed on duty therein by
the general commanding the department or the army In
which the dsbanded companies may have been serving
and officers thus designated shall continue TO until
officers shall be appointed by the President by and with
the advice and consent OF the Senate and all selections
of officers made by the General 10 command said
organizations or appointed by the President therefor
herein provided shall b. from the commissioned officers
OF the companies, battaons or regiments from which
the organizations formed or from such non
commissioned officers priyates thereof may have
been distinguish I'd for mertoroGs and sodicry conduct
for valor skill and the certificate Of tho colonel
commanding the battalion regiment in which said
non commissioned officer or private may have served
that he has been distinguished, N approved by tho
brigade and division commanders shall be sufficient
proof thereof


That the officers Of companies, battaons ami refi.
nents which may be disbanded herein provided, and
VINO may not be selected and appointed required by


WIS ac1 shall be dropped from the rolls supernume
Iy oMcefs but such officers ray within reasonable
time 10 be fixed by general orders TO be Issued by tho
secretary o war az 70 troops n the States east OF tho
MisAstpP' river and by the general commanding
tue department west OF tho Mississippi rver
% 70 Hoopl therein organize themselves into
companies, bastalions aud regiments the officers 70