, 1862-07-24

The San Francisco correspondent Of the Chi
cagO Press and Tribune, writing in reference to
the hattie of Shiloh. gives the following account
Of the plans laid and almost consummated by Gen.
Johnston to force California to take sides with the
traitors 1t will be read with thrilling surprise by
every loyal man on this coast:
The death Of the rebel General A Sydney John.
stOn, at the battle, was source Of congratulation
here. Hehas met just punishment for his treacl-
cry The only regret is that his neck is not reserved
for the halter. But the impression gains ground
that II is better to accept the death Of rebel leaders
upon the battlefield, as a punishment for their
crime than to run the chance Of their being spared
by popular clemency at the end Of the war. Gen-
erals Buell. and Johnston have both been stationed
on this coast-Buell as the junior officer under
Johnston. 1t is gratifying to know that the loyal
General has taught his superior officer that secesh
is hard road to travel
California came very near being placed, by the
treachery Of Johnston, in an attitude Of defiance
! to the Federal authority, against her will. The
SecessiOHsts had laid plan to possess themselves
Of the forts which guard the entrance to harbOr
which they could easily have done with the cOnni-
vance Of Johnston. who was in supreme command,
and then to seize 10000 stand Of arms shipped here
by the traitor Floyd for that very purpose. This
accomplished, the 10000 seCessi0nists would have
had California completely in their power for there
would have been no arms here Of any description
except those in the hands Of the rebels.
They could have collected the revenues, and, by
the aid Of the works at the Navy Yard, have fitted
out privateers to prey upon the commerce Of the
Pacific. They would have had complete control
Of all the treasure in the State-enough to have
materially strengthened the finances Of JEFF Daviss
Government.
The loyal city Of San Francisco would have
been at their mercy for she is completely covered
by the guns Of Fort Alcatraz, from which she could
have been shelled at leisure. The shipping in the
harbor was to have been converted into an inI-
promptu rebel navy; in short. it was one Of the
most stupendous and most easily effected schemes
Of the rebellion. a'Hf
secessiOuists gathered in this city from all quar-
ters; cutthroat faces, which had not been seen in
our city for years, were common. Johnston had
privately sent forward his resignation to the De
partment-the hour for the blow had almost ar
rived, when lol the unheralded advent Of Gen. E.
V. Sumner frustrated their nice-laid schemes He
was put on board the California steamer at sea,
and no intimatiOn Of his coming had reached this
coast when he landed. On his arrival in this city
he walked up from the steamer to the headquarters
Of the Pacific Department and inquired for Com
mander Johnston. Having been shown into the
presence Of that individual be announced himself
to she astonished traitor as his successor IN com
mand, showed his papers, and demanded immediate
possession. In half an hour be had control Of both
forts, and run out the guns, dOubleshotted on the
land side. a9H ~ sl3
That same evening the 10000 stand Of arms at
Benicia were secured. and California was saved
The sagacity that dispatched Gen Sumner here
secretly was cfeditable to the NV Government
But for that, California would have been lost. q
When the history Of that scheme Is written, Il
WIN be one Of the most remarkable episodes Of
these eventiul times