Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1862-09-26
Astounding ReveIations.

a snort time since NJ. L. johnson and David
Shehan, two notorious traitors of Galena, were
arrested by order of the Secretery 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 a gentleman from the city OF
New Y ork, named Lewis Ballard, who had been
sent there for a mere technical violation of the
War Department, in proposing TO obtain substi-
tutes for persons who should be drafted. Mr..
Ballard a thoroughly loyal citizen aud a
man of good character and unquestioned vera
city. As soon as it was ascertained that his err
ror was committed in good faith and without
any intention to discourage enlistments, he was
released. He was in the fort when johnson and
Shehan were sent there and he happened to be
confined in the same room with them. john
son supposed, a matter of course, that every
prisoner in the fort was genuine traitor He
accordingly gave vent to everything he knew
His conversation was so extraordinary that Mr.
Ballard at once addressed "a note to the com
mandant of the fort, advising him of the danger
Gus character ofthe man. After Mr.. b. was re-
leased, 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 ofan affidavit, which we print below
The commandant of the fort found a paper on
Johnsons person showing him to be Knight
Of the Golden Circle, in full communion with
the brotherhood in Dixie. Both johnson and
Shehan refused to take the oath of allegiance.
l. ne lollOWlhB Is llr- Ddudfu s a1nuaYlt.
CRY, COUNTY AND STATE OF NEW YoRK, IS.
Lewis Ballard being duly sworn, doth depose
and say that during the temporary confinement
at Fort Lafayette, extending from the first to the
third day OF September current deponent was
placed in casemate of the fort with other pris-
oners; that he lodged and associated necessarily
with the other persons confined there; that dur
ing his stay he participated in conversation with
many of the said persons; and that he was
fs,tt h,fv
persons there, in which he did not participate
That on the second of September Madison Y
Johnson of Galena, Illinois, and another person
named Sheehan, or something like that name
also from Galena, arrived at the fort as prisoners
They at once avowed their sympathy with the
violent Secession prisoners who were there be-
fore. johnson was the most out-spoken; he
conversed freely on the subjects connected with
the present difficulties; avowed himself in favor
ofhe Consultation Of the Southern ConJcderdcy in
preference TO the Constitution of the United States
That he opposed TO a continuance Of the Union
as ,caSi That the wdr ought not to be continued.
In thus expressing himself he assumed to un-
derstand thoroughly the objects and aims of the
| leaders of the rebellion; and of the designs of
their sympathizers in the loyal States. He said
| that the NORTHW ESTERN STATES WERE
| TO BE INVADED, THE SOUTHERN CON-
| STITUTION TO BE PROCLAIMED, and the
free navigation of the Mississippi proffered.-
That on this being done the people, rho lrero or
ganizcd and prepared for II, WOULD RISE, cut
| loose from the Yankees, and Unnecessary to put
down opposition, THE WHOLE NORTH
WOULD RUN WITH RIVERS OF BLOOD.
While he gave utterance TO the foregoing words
he accompanied them by illusions 10 Organiza-
tions being in existence TO carry out the plaH.-
He also stated that when he was arrested, large
numbers from the surrounding country called
on him and offered rescue but that he advised
them TO leave the whole matter to him. that the
time had not yet arrived for them to act but
that it would surely come.
And further this deponent saithnot.
LEWIS BALLARD.
Sworn TO before me, this 10th of September
/ 1862.
! JouN A. KENNEDY. Special Provost Marshal