Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1862-09-23
Astounding Revelations Rebel Constitution to BE-
Proclaimed Rivers Of Blood TO Flow.
r.om the Chicago Tribute Of satnrro.


A short time since, M. Y. johnson and
David Shehan, two notorious traitors of
Galena, were arrested by the order of the
Secretary of War and sent toFort LAFAYETTE
At the time they were taken to the fort
there happened to be confined in the sane
place gentleman from the city of New
York, named Lewis Ballard, who had been
! sent there for mere technical violation oil
the order of the War Department, in pro-
posing to obtain substitutes for persons who
should be drafted. Mr. Ballard was thor
oughly loyal citizen, and a man of good
character and unquestioned veracity. As
! soon as 1t was ascertained that his error was
committed in good faith, aud without any
intention to discourage enlistments, he was
released. He was in the fort when Johnson
and Shehan were sent there, and he hap
pened to be confined in the same room
wIththem. johnson supposed as a matter
O. course, that every prisoner in the fort
was genuine traitor. He accordingly gave
vent to every thing he knew. His CONVEX
sation was 50 extraordinary that MrBallard
at once addressed note to the command
ant of the fort, advising him of the danger
Gus character of the man. After Mr.. B.
was released, he informed Superintendent
Kennedy OF the facts, who deemed them Of
SO much Importance that he requested him
to put the matter in the form of an aflida-
Wit, which we print below. The command
ant Of the fort found paper on Johnscn's
person, showing him to be Knight ef the
Golden Circle, in fall communion with the
brotherhood in Dixie. Both Johnson and
Shehan refused to take the oath of allegi-
ance:
The following is Mr.. Billiards. affidavit:
CRY, County AND STATE or New
YoRK, S. s.
Lewis Ballard being duly sworn, doth de-
pose and say, that during temporary
confinement at Fort Lafayette, extending
from the first to the third day Of Sep.ein
Der current, deponent was placad in
casemate of the fort with other prisoners
that be lodged, and and associated neces-
sarily with the other persons confined
there; that during his stay he participated
in conversation with many Of tie said per
sons: and hat he was nearer to much
conversation between different persons
there, in which he did not participate.
That on the second of September, Madisoa
Y. Johnson, Of Galena, Illinois, and anoth-
er person named Sheban, 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 before,
Johnson was the most outspoken; he con-
versed freely on the subjects connected
with present difficulties, ayowed himself
IN favor cthe Constitution Of tie Sonth
eern confeaeracy IA preference 10 the con-
stitufioa qfthe Uaited Staiesi That he
was opposed TO The continuance Of uhe
Union as 1t wasi That the war ought
not to be confined. In thus expressing
himself he assumed to understand thorough
the objects and aims Of the leaders of the
rebellion; and of the designes Of their sym-
pathizers in the loyal States. He said shat
the NORTHWESTERN STATES WE2
TO BE INVADED. THE SOUTHERN 1
CONSTITUTIONS TO BE PR0CbA1M-
ED, and the free navigation Of the Missi8-
sippi profered. That on this being done
the people, acho uere organized and pre-
pared for 1t, WOULD RISE, cut loose
from lie Yankees, and if necessary 10
put down. opposition, THE WHOLE
NORTH WOULD RUN WITH RiV-
Frs OF BLOOD. While he gave utter
ance to the foregoing words, he accompanied
them by illusions to organizations being in
existence to carry out the plan. He stat
ed that when be was arrested, large NUM-
bers from the surrounding country cali
ed on him and offered a rescue but that
be advised them to leave the whole mat
ter to him; that the time had not yet
arrived for them to act, but that it would
surly come.
And further this deponent saith not.
LEWIS BALLARD.
Sworn to before me, this 10Th of Sept,
1862.
JonN A. KENNEDY Special Provost Mar
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