In Washington, the U.S. Senate votes 33 to 3 to set up the Joint Committee on the Conduct of the War

The newly assembled U.S. Senate, alarmed at the recent defeats, voted 33 to 3 to appoint a joint committee of Congress to investigate the progress of the war.  The vote called for a group of seven legislators, three from the Senate, four from the House, with full powers of examination.  The House agreed the next day and on December 20, 1861, the Joint Committee on the Conduct of the War met, with Senator Benjamin Wade of Ohio in the chair.  The Committee met throughout the war, holding 272 sessions.  (By John Osborne)