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WASHINGTON, December 22, 1862.

The committee met; all present.

The following witnesses were examined: Major General H. W. Halleck and Quartermaster General M. C. Meigs. Adjourned to 10 a. m. to-morrow.

WASHINGTON, December 23, 1862.

The committee met; Mr. Wright absent.

On motion, the chairman was instructed to report to the Senate the testimony taken by this committee in relation to the battle of Fredericksburg. Adjourned to meet on call of the chairman.

WASHINGTON, January 8, 1863.

The committee met pursuant to the call of its chairman; Mr. Chandler absent.

The following resolution was received from the House of Representatives: "DECEMBER 22, 1862.

"Mr. C. A. White submitted the following, which were adopted:

"Whereas Captain John Elwood, of the United States army, recently mustering and disbursing officer in this city, was arrested and placed in solitary confinement in the Old Capitol jail some time in the month of September last; and whereas he was found dead in his cell some six weeks after, under suspicious circumstances: Be it

"Resolved, That the committee on the conduct of the war be directed to investigate the circumstances attending the arrest, confinement, and decease of the said Captain Elwood, for the purpose of ascertaining whether there is any ground for the suspicion attending his death, and whether there was cause for the imprisonment and rigorous treatment to which he was subjected by those who pretended to act under the authority of this govern

ment.

"Attest:

On motion of Mr. Wright, it was

EM. ETHERIDGE, Clerk."

Ordered, That Mr. Julian be instructed to confer with Mr. White, of Indiana, mover of the resolution, and learn from him such facts in relation thereto as he is able to communicate, in order that the committee may be able to investigate the subject referred to in the resolution, and to report the same to the committee at his earliest convenience.

Adjourned to meet on call of the chairman.

WASHINGTON, January 12, 1863.

The committee met in pursuance of the call of the chairman; Mr. Chandler absent.

The following resolution was received from the House of Representatives: "JANUARY 12, 1863.

"On motion of Mr. Alley:

"Resolved, That the committee on the conduct of the war be directed to inquire what rules or restrictions, if any, are applied to trade in those por

tions of the country now under military occupation, and whether any officers in the service of the government are, or have been, engaged in trade or speculation, or affording special privileges or facilities to other persons to do so, and to report the facts to this House."

On motion of Mr. Gooch,

The chairman was instructed to call upon the departments for all rules, regulations, and restrictions in relation to trade in the districts indicated by the foregoing resolution.

Adjourned to meet on call of the chairman.

WASHINGTON, January 21, 1863.

The committee met pursuant to call of the chairman; Messrs. Julian and Odell absent.

The following resolution was received from the Senate :

"On motion by Mr. Harlan,

"JANUARY 14, 1863.

"Resolved, That the committee on the conduct of the war be instructed to inquire whether vessels, and other means of transportation, under the control of the War Department, have been used to convey disloyal women, or other disloyal persons, from places under the control of the rebels to places within the Union lines, and from places in the loyal States and districts to places within the rebel lines; and if so, what vessels, and other means of transportation, have been thus used; under whose immediate supervision, and at what cost to the government, and particularly whether the steamers New York and Metamora (or either of them) have been thus used, and if so, what law or public necessity required it; what numbers of such persons were thus transported; the cost of each trip; under whose immediate command and supervision; what amount of property, money, (whether gold, silver, or paper,) and effects were transported on the persons, and as the property of said disloyal persons; and whether persons of African descent, either as slaves or free, were thus transported to and within the rebel lines at the request of said disloyal women; and if so, what numbers were thus conveyed, and under what order, pretence, claim, or authority of law such persons of African descent were thus conveyed to places within the rebel lines. Also, whether any legislation is necessary to correct such practices, with leave to report by bill or otherwise."

After discussion, the further consideration of the resolution was postponed the present.

The following witness was examined: Major General E. A. Hitchcock. Adjourned to 11 a. m. to-morrow.

WASHINGTON, January 21, 1863.

The committee met. Absent: Messrs. Chandler and Julian.

The following witness was examined: John P. Hilton.

Adjourned to meet on call of the chairman.

WASHINGTON, January 28, 1863.

The committee met pursuant to call of the chairman; Mr. Julian absent. The following resolution was received from the Senate:

"On motion by Mr. Wilson, of Massachusetts,

"JANUARY 26, 1863.

Resolved, That the committee on the conduct of the war be instructed to inquire whether Major General A. E. Burnside has, since the battle of Fredericksburg, formed any plans for the movement of the army of the Potomac, or any portion of the same; and if so, whether any subordinate generals of said army have written to or visited Washington to oppose or interfere with the execution of such movements, and whether such proposed movements have been arrested or interfered with ; and if so, by what authority."

The following witness was examined: Major General John G. Parke. Adjourned to meet on the 30th instant at 11 a. m.

The committee met; Mr. Julian absent.

WASHINGTON, January 30, 1863.

The following witnesses were examined: Surgeon Gerard B. Hammond and Surgeon W. D. Stewart.

Adjourned to 12 m. to-morrow.

WASHINGTON, January 31, 1863.

The committee met. Present: The chairman, and Messrs. Gooch and Covode.

The following witness was examined: Surgeon Thomas F. Perley.
Adjourned to meet on call of the chairman.

WASHINGTON, February 2, 1863.

The committee met pursuant to call of the chairman; all present.
The following witness was examined: Major General B. F. Butler.
Adjourned to meet on call of the chairman.

WASHINGTON, February 7, 1863.

The committee met pursuant to call of the chairman; all present.

The following witness was examined: Major General A. E. Burnside. Mr. Julian reported in relation to the death of Colonel Elwood in Capitol prison, that he had been unable to learn any facts concerning it.

The further consideration of the subject was postponed.

Adjourned to meet at 12 m. on the 9th instant.

WASHINGTON, February 9, 1863.

The committee met; Mr. Julian absent.

The following witnesses were examined: Brigadier General John Newton and Brigadier General John Cochrane. Adjourned to 12 m. to-morrow.

The committee met; Mr. Julian absent.

WASHINGTON, February 10, 1863.

The following witnesses were examined: Quartermaster General M. G. Meigs and Brigadier General John Cochrane, (recalled.) Adjourned to 12 m. to morrow.

WASHINGTON, February 11, 1863.

The committee met.

Absent: Messrs. Chandler and Julian.

The following witnesses were examined: Surgeon General William A. Hammond and Honorable Edward Haight.

Ordered that the testimony in relation to David's Island Hospital be referred to the Secretary of War.

Adjourned to meet on the call of the chairman.

WASHINGTON, February 17, 1863.

The committee met pursuant to the call of the chairman. Absent: Messrs. Chandler and Julian.

The following witnesses were examined: Brigadier General W. W. Averill and Major General S. P. Heintzelman. Adjourned to 12 m. to-morrow.

WASHINGTON, February 18, 1863.

The committee met. Absent: Messrs. Chandler and Julian.

The following witnesses were examined: Quartermaster General M. C. Meigs and Major General E. V. Sumner.

Adjourned to 12 m. to-morrow.

WASHINGTON, February 19, 1863.

The committee met.

Absent: Messrs. Chandler and Julian.

The following witness was examined: Hon. Martin F. Conway.

The chairman informed the committee that General Charles P. Stone requested permission of the committee to examine the testimony before them relating to himself.

The permission was grant to General Stone to examine said testimony, in confidence, in the room of the committee.

Ordered, That General McClellan be notified that the committee desire to take his testimony.

Adjourned to meet on call of the chairman.

WASHINGTON, February 23, 1862.

The committee met pursuant to the call of the chairman; all present. The chairman laid before the committee the following telegram from Gen. McClellan.

"NEW YORK, February 23, 1863. "If you can do me the favor to inform me upon what points the committee desire my testimony, I can greatly facilitate their objects and save much time by refreshing my memory by consulting papers before starting. "GEORGE B. McCLELLAN,

"Hon. B. F. Wade,

"Chairman on Conduct of War."

"Major General.

The chairman was instructed to send the following in reply:

"WASHINGTON, D. C., February 23, 1863.

"We want information generally of your military administration. It is impossible to state all the points to which we may wish to call your attention in connexion with the testimony we now have.

"B. F. WADE, Chairman.

"Gen. GEORGE B. MCCLELLAN," New York Cty.
The committee adjourned to meet on the 25th instant, at 12 m.

WASHINGTON, February 25, 1863.

The committee met pursuant to adjournment.

The following witness was examined: Brigadier General John G. Barnard.

Adjourned to 12 m. to-morrow.

WASHINGTON, February 26, 1863.

The committee met. Absent: The chairman and Mr. Odell.

General McClellan appeared before the committee. After some conversation with him, his examination was postponed for the present, to enable him to prepare a written statement to be submitted to the committee. Adjourned to 12 m. to-morrow.

WASHINGTON, February 27, 1863.

The committee met pursuant to adjournment.

After some time took a recess till 7 p. m., at which time the following witness was examined: Brigadier General Charles P. Stone.

Adjourned to 12 m. to-morrow.

WASHINGTON, February 28, 1863.

The committee met; all present.

On motion of Mr. Gooch,

Mr. Chandler was instructed to report the following concurrent resolution to the Senate, and recommend its adoption:

"Resolved by the Senate of the United States, (the House concurring,) That, in order to enable the "joint committee on the conduct of the war" to complete their investigation of certain important matters now before them, and which they have not been able to complete by reason of inability to obtain important witnesses, they be authorized to continue their sessions for thirty days after the session of the present Congress; and then to place their testimony and reports in the hands of the Secretary of the Senate."

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