Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1863-08-13
July 90, 1868.
NASHVILLE, Tenn, jane 26, 1868.

NASHVILLE, Ienn., June 70, 1865.
Hon. 81. Maynard:
DEAR SIR:-I take pleasure in comply
ing with your request to give the sub
stance, and as nearly as possible, the Ian
guage, Of MIR. -, of Louisiana, in a con-
versation which occurred between him
and myself about three weeks before the
last Presidential election. | met with Mr..
- in the cars, some miles beyond
Jonesboro, Tenn, in October, 1860. He
was then returning to his home in Louisi-
ana, from the city of Washington.
By accident, I took a seat Immediately
behind that occupied by Mr.. -, when
he at once turned round and began to
make inquiries respecting the prospects OF
the different candidates tor obtaining the
electoral vote of Tennessee. He express
ed great pleasure when assured him that
Breckenridge could not possibly obtain
the electoral vote of this State; and his
reasons for it will give you as nearly as
may be in his own words. 81 am glad"
says he, "that Mr.. Bell will get the vote
OF Tennessee, although | cannot vote for
him. am Douglas Democrat, and |
am fastening home to see what can be
| done TO prevent my State from casting its
electoral vote for Breckenridge. l have
been in Washington since the first day of
July, and tell you, now, sir, there is at
this moment on foot at v ashiDgton the
most damnable conspiracy to break up
this government that was ever known in
any civilized country. | do not speak
from hearsay, sir, for have been in their
caucuses almost nightly for the last three
| hs Eypn no
| g. to Z. And it is this If they can by any
means (Which is utterly impossible) secure
q majority Of tie electoral votes for Brock
inridge, then the scheme is, as soon as he
is -inGugurated and put in possession of
all the resources of the government,
to divide the country along Mason and
| Dixon's line, the Ohio river. and 26 deg.
80 min. north to the Pacific Ocean. In
other words, they intend to cut loose from
all the free States, and to build up a great
slave Oontederacy in the South, and to &C
| complish this purpose they will use all the
resources of the Government proper
But should they fail in this, Gas they as
suredy will, the plan is for South CARROLL
ma to secede 5frst-tEe other cotton States
are to follow q think he mentioned the
order in which they were to go out but am
not pOsitiye), the border States are to be per.
suaded or forced to join them in their un-
holy cause, and then we are to have such
civil war as this world has never wit
messed" He added: {" had hoped, until
a month or six weeks ago, that Mr.. Brock
inridge was ignorant CT all this matter
but | have had evidence, as clear as the
MONDAY sun, that he is as deeply impli-
Gated as 7ancey himself, and more than
that, Mr.. Buchanan is into their scheme
up to the eyes,"
have given the above statement in
almost the Identical language used by Mr..
-. The whole affair was of so start
ling nature that it made deep impress
sion upon my mind, and none of the facts
have slipped my momory.
In regard to a conversation which passed
between rebel soldier and myself, SUBJ
sequently to the battle OF Stones River,
| can only say, that he was advocating
the propriety of raising the black flag, and
declaring that he did not intend to take
any more prisoners. | replied to him, that
war was horrible enough under any cir
cumstances, but if Waged on the principle
be advocated, the Southern people would
be regarded as worse than savages. To
this he replied by quoting Bishop Polk as
endorsing his views, saying, General
Polk told the boys, if they found any
trouble with the prisoners, he (the GeneraD
would not be angry if they did not bring
them in" Whether he professed that he
heard this from Gen. Polk, or heard it
from Others, | do not remember.
[ have written this in great haste. But
feel sure that the facts are correctly stated.
hope it will prove satisfactory to you.
Your friend, truly,
ALFRED Hoss.