Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1862-09-25
From the Chicago Tribunal

From the Chicago Tribunal
ASTOUNDING REvELArToxs-Ax ILL.
xors K. G. @. IN FoRr LATAYErrK-
THE NORTH WEsr TO BE INVADED
The REBEL CONSTITUTIONS TO BE PRo-
cLAIxRp-RIvERs OF BLOOD TO BE
POURED OUT.
A short time since NJ. Y. johnson
and David Sheehan, two notorious trait
ors Of Galena, were arrested by order
of the Secretary Of War and sent to
Fort Lafayette. At the time they were
taken to the Fort there happened to be
confined in the same place gentleman
from the city Of New York named
Louis Ballard. who had been sent there
for a mere technical violation of the or
der Of the War Department. BY propos-
ing to obtain substitutes for persons
who should be drafted. Mr.. Ballard
was thoroughly loyal citizen, and a
man Of good moral character and un-
questioned veracity.
As soon as it was sscertained that his
error was committed in good faith, and
without any intention to discourage en-
listments, he was released. He was in
the fort when Johnson and Sheehan were
sent there. aud he happened to be con-
fined in the same room with them
johnson supposed, as matter of course,
that every prisoner in the fort was a
genuine traitor. He accordingly gave
vent to everything he knew. His con-
versalion was so extraordinary that Mr..
Ballard at once addressed note to the
eommandant of the fort, advisi ng him
Of the dangerous character Of the man.
After Mr.. B. was released he informed
Superintendent Kennedy Of the facts,
who deemed them OF so much impor-
tance that he requested him to put the
matter in the form Of an afi&'vit, which
we print below. The eommandant Of
the fort found paper on Johnoon's
person showing him to be Knight Of
the Golden Circle, in full communion
with the brotherhood in Dixie. Both
Johnson and Jheehan refused to take the
oath OF allegiance.
The following is Mr.. Ballard's afi-
davit:
CIrY, COUNTY, AND STATE OF NEwl
YoRK. SIS.
Lewis Ballard being duly sworn, doth
depose and say that during tempora-
ry confinement at Fort Lafayette. ex-
tending from the first to the third day
Of September current, deponen. was
placed in cssemate Of the fort with
other prisoners that he lodged and as
sociaIed necessarily with the other pris-
oners confined there; that during his
stay he participated in conversation
with many OF the said prisoners and
that he was hearer to much conversa-
ton between different persons there. in
which he did not participate. That on
the ed Of September, Madison Y. John
son OF Galena. Ill. and another person
named Shehan, or something like that
name, also from Galena, arrived at the
fort as prisoners. They at once avow-
ed their sympathy with the violent Sc
cession prisoners who were there before,
and johnson was the most outspoken
he conversed freely on the subjects con-
nected with the present difficulties
avowed himself IN favor OF the Consti-
tuition Of the Southern COnfederacy in
preference to the Constitution Of the
United States That he was opposed
10 continuance Of the q lion as il was
That the war ought not TO be contin-
ued. In thus expressing himself, he
assumed to understand thoroughly the
objects and aims Of the leaders OF the
rebellion. and the design of their sym.
pathizers in the loyal States. He said
that the Northeastern States Cers to be
inVuded. the Southern Constitution to be
proclaimed. and the free naYi cation Of
the Mississippi profered. That on this
being done. the people, who were or
ganized and prepared for it, tOouLd rise,
cut loose from the Yankees, aud. il
necessary. to put down opposition, the
schOLe North would run ioitb rivers of
blood. While he gave utterance to the
foregoing words, he accompanied them
by illusions to organizations being in
existence to carry out the plan. He
also stated that when he was arrested
large numbers from the surrounding
country called on him and offered a
rescue, but that he advised them to
leave the whole matter to linn; that
the time had not yet arrived for them
to act. but that it would surely come.
And further deponent saith not.
a LEWIS BALLARD.
Sworn to before me this 10th day Of
September, 1862.
ITnEN URNNERU