Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-01-02

Extra ordinary Occurrence In New Orr
leaDs-SuspiciOus Encampment In the
Swamp Two Hundred Suspicious Char
acters HOverInE In bhe Swnmp. .-,..--.
Wednesdays New Orleans Delta observes:
The people of Carrolton and Jefferson
City have been much excited for some days
past by certain curious rumors in regard to
the assemblage of a large number of suspi-
cious persons in the swamp in the rear of
those towns, and Just inside of the corporate
limits of this city. Persons who had to go
into the swamp to get frewood or slaves, or
drive up cattle, had reported that they were
obstructed and interfered with by certain
suspicious vagabonds, who appeared to he
hanging about for no honest purpose. Then
reports became SO common and definite, that
some of the citizens of Jefferson determined
TO investigate the matter; and accordingly
patrol was formed, headed by police Off
Ger, who proceeded TO the place near which
the suspicious characters were known to
hover; and on arriving at the ridge in the
rear of Carroilton, between the Shell-road
and the Jackson Railroad, the patrol came
suddenly upon large camp where thirty
fires were found, around which were gath
| cred number of men, apparently laborers
and low characters, nineteen of whom were
captured.
A number of others of the party, it is be-
| leved, escaped, or were out gathering fuel
| before last. The men arrested were con-
Quoted to CarrOllton and lodged in Jail, and
the patrol, Joined by other citizens, pro-
| ceeded to make further search, and soon
| discovered many evidences to confirm the
statement of persons who had visited the
| locality, as well as the confessions Of the
| prisoners, that the party captured was but
| detachment of large body of men, of very
| suspicious bearing and intents, that was still
| af
| give no satisfactory explanation of their
| presence in so suspicious place and under
/ suspicious circumstances Some said that
| they were out of employment, and came out
here because they had no money to pay for
their lodging others gave confused and
contradictory accounts of themselves.
The men appeared TO be of various nation
alities. The names Of those men given were
as follows: Sallmein, lately an omnibus
driver in this city, (lrish)i John Curran re-
| ported himself as from Vermont James
Palmer claimed Hanover street, Boston, as
the place of his residence; Jacob Willard,
George Green, Andrew Fox, claimed to be
Germans; George Thomas said he was from
Great Bend, Pennsylvania Marcus StOop,
also German, arrived here few days ago
on steamboat. These were all the names
we could learn of the parties who were cap
tured, and who are now in jail at Carrollton.
There is certainly q great mystery hanging
over this affair. The hypothesis that these
men were mere laborers out Of employment,
is not supported by any probabilities.
There Is no lack of employment in our
city, and if there was, the swamp is about
the last place to which, we should imagine,
any honest labOrers would resort--especially
at this period of the year. Their caution,
too, in placing themselves just outside Of
the police limits of our city, is very suspici-
GUS. How, too, in the swamp, could such q
number of men support themselYes2 There
are a great many other questions which are
suggested by this extraordinary assemblagt
in so desolate and unfrequented locality
in the solution of which we hope to be aideC
by further and fuller intelligence, which W.
have taken steps to procure, in regard to th'
subject. lHF
b The Chief Of Police has very suspicious
and queerly written notes to him regarding
what may be inferred as a plot TO tampe
with some colored people here, and use theIt
TO interfere with arms and ammunition.
A note from Mobile, in o very suspicion
style, apprises the Chief Of Police Of con
templated uprising, but the Chief has take
due Precaution, and nipped the matter, 8
far, in the bud.
The above prisoners will be brought
this city this evening and securely lodge
in Jail. fta