In Washington, the U.S. House of Representatives votes for a Joint Committee on the Conduct of the War

The newly assembled U.S. Senate, alarmed at the recent defeats, voted the day before 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 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 served throughout the war, holding 272 meetings.  (By John Osborne)