Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-09-18
The knights oftke Golden Circle in Illinois
--The Rebel Constitution 10 be Proclaimed
=" Rivers Of Blood TO be Poured Ont.

--The Rebel Constitution 10 be Proclaimed
=" Rivers Of Blood - TO be Poured Ont.
From the Chicago Tribune
A short time since, NJ. Y. johnson and
David Shehan, two notorious traitors of
Galena, were arrested by order Of the Sec
| retary 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
York, named Lewis Ballard, who had been
sent there for a mere technical violation of
the order Of the War Department, in pro-
posing to obtain substitutes for persons
who should be drafted. Mr. Ballard was
q thoroughly loyal citizen, and a man of
good character and unquestioned veraeity.
As soon as it was ascertainod that his er-
ror was committed in good faith, and with
out any intention to discourage eulistments
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. Johnson supposed, as q
matter of course, that every prisoner in
the fort was a genuine traitor. He accord
ingly gave vent to everything he knew
His conversation was so extraordinary
that AIr. Ballard at once addressed q note
to the commandant of the fort advising
him Of the dangerous character of the man.
After Mr. B. was released, he informed Su-
perintendent Kennedy of the facts, who
deemed them Of so much Importance that
he requested him to put the matter in the
form Of an affidavit, which we print below.
The commandant Of the fort found paper
on Johnsons person, showing him to be a
K,;-bF of Fbo Eo1Isr Hiro1a -
munion with the brotherhood in Dixie
Both johnson and Shehan refused to take
the oath of allegiance.
The following is Mr.. Ballard's affidavit
CRY, CoUxrr AND STATE OF NEw YORK:
Lewis Ballard being duly sworn, doth
depose and say, that during temporary
confinement at Fort Lafayette, extending
from the frstto the third day of September
current, deponent was placed in a casemate
of the fort with other prisoners that he
lodged and associated necessarily with the
other persons confined there that during
his stay he associated in conversation with
many Of the said persons; and that he was
a hearer to much Of the conversation be-
tween different persons there, in which lie
did not participate. That on the second of
September, Madison 7. Johnson, of Gale
ma, Illinois, and another person named
or something like that name, also
from Galena, arrived at the fort as prison
ers. They at once avowed their sympathy
with the violent secession prisoners who
were there before. Johnson was the most
out spoken; he conversed freely on the
subjects connected with present difficulties;
avowed himself in favor Of the Constitution
Of the Southern Colfsderaey in preference 10
the Constitution Of the United States! That
he lCas opposed to the continuance Of the In
ion as il lrqs That the war ought not to be
continued.
In thus expressing himself he assumed
TO understand 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 NORTH
WESTERN STATES WERE TO BE IN
VADED, THE SOUTHERN CCNSTITU-
TION TO BE PROCLAIMED, and the free
navigation of the Mississippi profered.
That on this being done the people, trho
rere organized and prepared for H. WOULD
RISE, cut loose from the Yankees, and If
necessary to put down opposition, THE
WHOLE NORTH WOULD RUN WITH
terance to the foregoing words, he accom-
panied them by illusions to organizations
being in existence TO carry out the plan.
He also stated that when be was arrested,
large numbers from the surrounding cOun-
try called on him and offered a rescue; but
that he advised them to leave the matterto
him that the time had not vet arrived for
them to act, but that it would surely come.
And further this deponent saith not
LEWIS BALLARD.
Sworn to before me, this 10th of Septem-
Der, 1862
JoHy A. KENNEDY, Special Provost MARSHALL