Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-07-01

bAAAihIIoNAL IHk yAlL-Ihe Sorf OF TRAITORS
Hayeorsd Here John Reeves, who was arrested
on Friday on charge Of tampefing with. soldiers,
and taken to the county Jail on Saturday by
guard detailed from the Twenty sixth Pennsylya-
MA Regiment, has been subsequently, examined
nv Justice Donn and Is retained for the orders Of
Gen Mansfield.
The principal witness was william Ellinger, a
private In company /, Of the Twenty sixth, who
U. 3. A, under Col. May. From bis statement IL
appeared that be went into house In the city on
sunday, the 23d instant, to get drink OF water.
Got into conversation with woman, and asked
ner IL there Were any secessionists about here.
she said there were plenty, especially a man who
came to her house often and brought company
VINO always talked that way. She told the wit
mesa to come next day and he could see him.
Euinger went three days, but did not see him.
On Wednesday he asked her bis name, but she
would not tell him, but told him TO come the
next day and she would introduce Ellinger "to
Mr.. Reeves, Mr.. johnson or Mr.. Jackson, al the
case might be-" She said he wss a carpenter,
ana was coming to FIX some things In the house.
Eliinger left, and on the road met black nan,
ana asked him II he knew Mr.. Reeves, a carpen-
Ter; hereplied "yes,n and pointed out his house,
and also Reeves coming down the street. Ellin-
ger went round the square and into Reeves house
oy the alley way, and asked Reeves IL he could
MAKE him knapsack box. Reeves asked how
ne wanted 1t made! what regiment he belonged
70! what kind Of living he gots To the last
turned to his wife and remarked that it was just
as ne always said; they weuld get half starved ,
discouraged, and half would desert to the south
ern army Ellinger remarked that be was tired
OF III wanted to get away, and IL he could not he
would shoot or drown himself. Also, that IL he
had suit Of citizens clothes he thought he could
get on Reeves said he could give him a suit Of
clothes and II Ellinger did desert he would do
best TO join the southern army. He advised him
70 DO so, as Beauregard's army was only ten miles
OF His wife objected to giving the suit Of
clothes. as i. might lead to his being huag He
ERd hal -I I,N. n
he replied that he had. Reeves then said he could
get linen coat for seventy five cents or dollar.
Ellinger replied that IL would look suspicious for
soldier to go to store to buy citizens clothes.
Reeves said there would be no risk IL he went to
the Dutch Jews, who are all secessionists He
gave Il dollar, Of the large kind. to buy a linen
coat, and hoped cd would bless him in his effort
70 JOIN the southern army and II he had $50 he
would give II all to him He told Ellinger that
II he Joined the southern army he could get thou
sands OF dollars, and the richest planters
the sun ever shone upon. Ellinger told him his
plan was to make raft and float down the river
some dark, rainy night He (Reeves) said that as
long as old Abe Lincoln and the northern men
ruled, the cou airy was ruined; and he wished the
Id Union men had their heads cut of; but as
soon as the south ruled, as they were certain to
do, all would be right he concluded bis con-
versation by saying a man had to be very careful
who he talked with, or keep quiet. Thursday
night, 10Y O'Clock, Ellinger went with private
Mitchell, Of Company G, to Reeves and knocked
at the door, and he came down. T. told Reeves
he was all right now, and had broug ht his brother
who wanted to go with him, and asked IL he
would let them stay till IL O'Clock. He said he
could not let them stay In the house. as his child
was sick and strangers were there. EIlinger
asked IL they might stay In his back yard He
said yes; but declined letting them In the front
door, for fear people would see them. They went
round the back way. az he directed, and there
were the two lieutenants (Roberts. Of Company
z, and Allen, Of Company f.. their heads his hei
than the fence, and their pistols pointed over it
Reeves came out but went back directly, and
witness saw him no more Till the morning, under
arrest, he was broug bit to the camp.
Stephen Mitchell corroborated Ellingers state
uaont or the Thursday night visit.
Lieut. VIM. Snow, Company |, Twenty. sixth
Pennsylvania Regiment, said that In conseq uenc,
OF statement made to him, he authorized Eflingel
TO visit the places and negotiate with the personi
referred to, and granted him leave Of absence fol
that purpose, with orders to report to him from
time TO time.
Sergeant J. Scanlon, Of Company I, stated tha
Ellinger was known to him about three weeks a,
private IN his company. He Is a sober, trust
worthy, and reliable man, a prompt and faithful
soldier, and one Of the best In the company.