The Secretary read the following report, which was submitted by Mr. NESMITH on the 27th of March: The ComMilAffrs and theMilitia, to whom was referred th c iomtresolution of the Legislature of WestVirginia, adopted February 17, 1866."to secure an appropriation by Congressfor the payment of certain military claims createdin that Stateduring the war.” have had the sameunder copsideration and beglcave to report; but from an examination of otiicial documents and vouchers toll cther with the statement of governor Arthur I.Boroman and AdjutantGennriil Peir point, it appearsthat the State of WestVirginia did incur liabilities in defendingthat State against the rebelsand uucrrillss during the rebellion. as follows: 1. For moneys paid to imcpendent companies. the s appropriated for payment offiiiliti:. 142.64512 3. For appropriations for supplying militia while in privitice. 3, 2Tl88 4. For subsisting and equipping volunteer recruits mustered into service of the U.S. 1.59210 5. For moneypaid to Upshur couiitymili tiu whilo prisoners. 6, 25085 Total. 37 The necessity for the foregoing expenditures may be briefly stated: The 1st class abovementionedwere independent companies. numbering from 25 to 75men with one commissioned o ccr. ornanizedm the border counties of the State. with instructions and ordersto cooperateusfar as practicable with the U.S. forces and to keep down and suppres lawless bandsof guerrillas or partisan rangers. then continually infesting such counties under authority of the socalled confederate government, for purposes of plunder and conscription. The services rendered by these coui anics wereof great value and impor tance to the U.S. troops stationed near the tbhorroduegrh. acting. as they did his scouts and guidu the mountains and in furnishing information of the operations and movementsof the enemy in theirfront. Being citisens and rosidonts of the country in which theywere requiredto operate.the were much moreellicientfor the purposes inentionc than the U.S. troops could have been. During the oxistence of theseorganizations many favorable noticesof thuir serviceswere received from military commandersWithin the Dept. The duty performed by them was of the must arduous and an gcrous character and they were only paid for the time actuall on duty. The 2nd chissmentioned is forse rviccs rendored by the militia of the State when called int oactual service. The principal portion is for services remderedby 6 companiesin the southwestern portion of the state, organized by authority of Governor Peirpoint. under the restored government of Virginia. in 862. these companieswere in the service cont inu ously for nearly 9 months supplied with arms and ammunition, but furnishing their own clothing and ubsistence. They were for the greater part of the me under the commandand subject to the ordersof rigadier General Julius white then commanding hedistrict of eastKentucky and otherofficersin the U.S. service in that district. Qt"these companies General White makes the follcwm indorsement upon their muster andity rolls: " had froquent and valuable services from these companies, and believe the time charged upon these rolls has been fairly and honestly estimated and ought to be aid.” This indorsement is alsoconcurredin by Hon. abanT. Moore and by Colonel John L. Zeiglor, late of the fifth Virginia in antry volunteers. There main ing portion of thise lassis for services rendered by the militia for shorterperiods, and werecalledput usually at tho suggestion of the Deptand district commanders to actin concert With the U.S.troops in maintaining pence against guerrillas and in repelling hostile invasion. Of the necessityfor the service of the independent companies and militiamentioned it may he said to have been absolute. WestVirginia was a border Stats and her territory I matter of continual controversyfrom the coiuuiencementto the end of the rebellion; and while it was no doubt theintention of the General Government to furnish protection to the legal people. yet from the pature of the warfare which existed there. the U.S. troops stationed within the State were inadequate for their protection, and without the assistancerendered by the militia of the State alarse portion of the Territory must have been abandoned. thus transferring the border, from the mountains of WestVirginia to the Ohio river or beyondit. Of the other classesof claims it is. perhaps unnecessaryto speak. Suflico it to say, the subsistence and supplies chargedfor were furnished by the citi sensof the State when the militia were called into service and when they could not be supplied by the Stateor the U.S. Government. The company of militia were organising and drilling. when it was attacked by a superior force of the enemy and 68 of the company were cap tured and carried to southern prisons, 4fire oi whomdied while in prison. he survivmg memberil of the company and the families of thosewho dial in prison were paid 13 dollars permonth only from the date of capture to the date of death or releasefrom rison. The committee reporting the accompanying bill recommend its passage.