Complex sentence: In 1864, during conversations with Felix G. Stidger, a detective working for the federal government, Bowles acknowledged his affiliation in the state's secret paramilitary societies, but exaggerated its membership numbers and told Stidger of plans for a proposed uprising against the Union.
Split into simpler sentences: In 1864, during conversations with Felix G. Stidger, a detective working for the federal government, Bowles acknowledged his affiliation in the state's secret paramilitary societies, but exaggerated the membership numbers. He also told Stidger of plans for a proposed uprising against the Union.