The Ohio Democrat. [volume] (Canal Dover, Ohio) 1840-1900, 1863-10-16

A few months since fashionably
dressed parsonage arrived in Cincinnati
per railroad, and secured a snite of
rooms at the Burnet House, and regis
tered his name as "Louis A. Belville,
Russia" His suavity of manner, ele-
gance and neatness Of dress, general ap.
pearance, and indeed everything beto-
kened that the newly arrived guest was
one possessing metropolitan intelligence,
if not those attributes Of popularity now
a days, affluence and wealth. His man.
her was reserved but firm; his conver
Sation bland yet winning, and only a
few days elapsed before he extorted from
the resident guests Of the house, both
civic and military, Solcitude to make
his acquaintance, which was somewhat
difficult to accomplish apparently. -
Once made, however, the willy Russian,
by his social ability and lavishness with
money, so completely enamored his new
acquaintances that they, to use vulgar
expression, "tied to him." urged and
gained his Introduction to their female
friends, and in short inangurated him as
the prince Of society in Cincinnati Par
ties were given that this foreign repre-
sentative might loom out more special.
ly as the bright particular star. H.
was feted to his hearts content, no pains
being spared to give him ovations that
would honor higher parsonage in the
grade of European society than that
which he was alleged to be. Yankee
curiosity was raised to its highest pitch
as to the probable mission of this gentle,
man on the American continent, and the
solicitude in finding ont eliminated in
the question direct being put to he no
bleman. With his usual keennpss and
nOnchalance he responded promptly that
recently in Russia he had been inveiged
into quarrel with his Government Of a
political character, but of such cnri-
ons nature to the Emperor that banish
ment from the country was the conSe
qnence. His intentions were at once
decided to come to America and become
one of her citizens, and after a residence
here of three years, return to Russia
and enjoy all the privileges of that king
dom without fear of morstation.
His off hand method Of briefly aliud
ing To his complicated foreign difficulty
succeeded in satisfying his American
friends, and gained for him a sympathy
that was really wonderful. Thus mat>
ters continued for several days Staff
officers of the various generals resident
and transient were not content in their
StrOlls through the city and evening
promenades with lady friends, unless
Mr. BelVille was one of their number.
At the various military headquarters in
the city he was welcome and constant
visitor, and being deeply interested in
onr domestic difficulties, aud sympathiz
ing strongly with our government in the
complete success of the Union arms.
many of the contemplated movements
were confined to his keeping. His sug.
gestions we're frankly given and thank
fully received. Indeed, no American
citizen and to the mancr born could have
learned one.tenth of the information i'm.
parted to this stranger Russian. BY
the side of generals he visited the forti.
fications, camps, &c, discovered onr
real strength in the field and at posts,
and the destination of our armies. &c,
&c. His knowledge Of the American
States was astonishingly limited, and TO
particularize was military necessity"
on the part of those with whom he con,
versed. He passed in and out of mill.
tary prisons at all times, and had n carte
blanche to visit any portion of this de
p 'rtment. His seeming Indifference to
accept the many compliments that were
rendered to him, and the declination of
several offers, gained for him conf
dence with our military chieftains aud
their aids amazingly marvellous.
At their request he went to fashion.
able boarding house on Fourth street,
adjoining headquarters, and where none
but military officers are entertained. -
Occasionally he would leave the city for
u few days to visit Chicago, ST. Louis
aud other Western ard Northwestern
cities, aud to become more familiar with
the American country. Although his
absence was brief, he was missed by his
scores Of friends, who welcomed his re-.
turn with nnmistakabe affection.
One of these abSeutingS was unusually
loug. and considerable misgiving was en- =.
tertaned as 10 his failure in returning
lest an accident caused the delay. A
few days since his absence was account.
ed for, the latest bubble of Queen City
confidence was exploded, and the Rus.
sian nobleman turned out to be nothing
more or less than rebel spy, whose dis.
coVery was thus made: His last trip
from Cincinnati was to Lexington, not
far from which, in Skirmish, he was
taken prisoner with other rebels in arms.
He was removed to JohnSon's Island,
from which place be sent letter to one
of his friends in this city to 60 to his
late boarding house, settle his bill and
get his trunk, which was to be forward
ed TO him on the island.above named. =
This news being Impaired to the militia.
ry circle generally, the terrible truth
flashed across their minds for the first
time that they had been entertaining and
giving important information to a spy
from the Confederate army. Measures
were Immediately taken to fasten upon
this sharper BeIvile the charge of be-
ing spy, aud District Provost Marshal
Reaney went to Johnson's IsIand for
that purpose. Mr. Reaney has return.