Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1863-11-06
From the Cincinnati Gszetse.
STARTLING DEvELOPmEN ENrs.
The Greatest Treason OF tho Age.
ooPPERHEApIsM RIPENEp.

For some time past little intimaiions have
been leaking out from day 70 day, indicating the
existence OF deep and widely spread scheme
of villainy in our midst, by which treason in
the South was TO be followed by treason in the
North, and by which the party styling itself
the peace party Of the North, was TO carry the
civil war up TO the very extreme Of the North
ern border. But the intimations were few, and
by many, the apprehensons Of civil commotion
were considered ill-founded; and when, on Sat-
urday night, the first blow fell, and several Of
the parties implicated were arrested in this city,
il was matter Of surprise to all, and so sudden
and so sotremendous were the developments which
were then for the first time made public, that
even yet IL is difficult to believe in the revela-
tions which every hour is bringing forth.
On Saturday night U. s. Marshal A. O. Sands,
who has been for some time past acing in con-
junction with Provost Marshal Major Reany,
and other military authority of the District Of
Ohio, in sitting the affair, received informa.
ton which led them to believe that the right
lime for action had arrived, and he accordingly
dispatched Deputy Marshal James Sands with
assistants on special train to Columbus, at 10
o'clock, to procure the arrest Of Charles w. II.
Cathcart, School Commissioner for the State oi
Ohio, and J. D. Cresap formerly suttler in the
18th regulars but then resident Of the Capital
| City. As soon as the deputation to Columbus
had started, Marshal Sands proceeded to arrest
I
and Calharine Parmentcr, of this city; while
the military authorities arrested James P. Pat.
ton, of Covington, aud Ruth Mcdonald, Of New
port, and they also were banded over to the GUS
tody of the Marshal
The plot has been brewing for many months
past, and has only been discovered by the con :
tnual and watchful vigilance of the detectives.
| The plan which had been concerted was nearly
as follows: On a certain night, which had not
been definitely fixed, a sufficient number Of the
conspirators were TO assemble in the vicinity Of
Camp Chase, and at a given signal were to over
power the guard, (Which is far from being a
strong 0ne), aud at the same time the prisoners,
who were to be apprised Of what was going on,
aud who numbered about four thousand, were
to make rush from the inside and thus secure
their freedom. Having armed themselves with
the weapons of the guard they were then to
march on Columbus, led by Cathcart, and seize
the arsenal, arining themselves completely with
I the United States arms stored there. From
thence their next attack was to be on the Peni-
tentary for the release of John Morgan and his
men, by whom the rebel army in Ohio was to be
officered. Then the rebel campaign in Ohio
was to he commenced and the first proceedings
on the part of the Ohio traitors was to be the
cutting of the telegraphjc wires and the burn
ing of the railroad bridges, in order to prevent
the arrival ofnaiional troops So much for the
plans of he traitors in Ohio. The sketch was
Iperhaps rough in several points, and in carrying
it out might have needed several alterations, but
this was the general plan, and had il not been
discovered in time IL Is hard to tell how far it
might have proved successful.
The parties involved in the matter are very
numerous and are to be found in almost every
part of the state, some of them occupying posi-
tions under the United States and State Gov
ernments, which rendered il a somewhat easier
task for the detectives TO gain access to the nest
of traitors. The leading man in the conspiracy,
Charles W. H. Cathcart was elected by the Val
landigham democracy in the last fall election,
10 fill the Office of School Commissioner for the
State of Ohio. He sent in his resignation a
short time since, which was to take effect on the
eleventh ofthe month. He stated to one of the
detectives Mr.. Slade, who had been introduced
TO him as rebel spy, that he should proceed to
Richmond rs soon as it was possible and he
should then obtain an appointment as brgadier
general in the Confederate service. He also
furnished him with splendid pistol, which he
was TO use in the attack on-Camp Chase, for The
purpose of killing the guard, and Cathcart him
self was to assist in the undertaking. He (Cath-
eart) arrived in the city last night under charge
of Deputy Marshal James Sands, and was
placed in the county jail until Wednesday morn
ing, when he will be taken before Commission
er Halliday for an examination.
When arrested yesterday morning, he was at
the house of Sabn Hough, who had only Just
returned from u consultation with Vallandig-
ham. twill be remembered that not long since,
Hough was arrested in Cincinnati, on a charge
of treason, and was then discharged on mere
legal quibbles. t+ie
j. d. Cresap, who was arrested in Columbus
with Cathcart, was also brought down in the
same special train, and lodged in the county
Jail until Wednesday morning, when he will be
examined bef re Commissioner Halliday. The
charges against him win be precisely similar to
those brought against the School Commissioner
James P. Patton was a resident of Covington
aud brother of the rebel Col Patton, who es-
capped some five weeks since from the Kemper
Barracks. He had often supplied detective
Slade with money and other things with which
to carry out the designs of the. party. Accord
ing to previous agreement, he met Mr.. Slade at
Camp Chase and reconoitered around the place,
maturing the plan for the attack on the camp
for the release of the prisoners. He was arrest
ed by the military authorities on Saturday night,
and handed over to U. s. Marshal Sands. He
was taken before Commissioner Halliday and
was released on his finding bail in the sum of
I$lUOOO Tor his reappearance on Wednesday.
Ruth Mcdonald was a resident of Newport,
| KY, and it was at her house that most OF the
meetings OF the traitors Of this city were held
She has been employed for some time past as
mail carrier between therebels North and South
and has frequently passed the lines with COM
munication for the Confederate Government
She was in Columbus, when by agreement Mr..
Slade met Patton, and they agreed ON the plan
of attack on Camp Chase She was taken be-
fore Commissioners Halliday on Saturday night,
and underwent preliminary examination,
which was adjourned until Wednesday next
Samuel p. Thomas of this city is merchant
tailor, carrying on business at the corner of
Fourth and Walnut streets. He was arrested
on Saturday night by Marshal A. @. Sands, and
brought before Commissioner Halliday for ex-
animation on charges contained in the follow :
| ing affidavit:
VIM. Reany deposes and says that he has
good reason to believe and does verify believe,
that on or about the 18th day of October, 1863,
at the city of Cincinnati, one Samuel p Thorn
as, late OF the Southern District of Ohio did.
knowingly, willfully, feloniously and traitor
ously colspire with DR.. Lazelle, Sterling King,
Lieutenant Colonel Patton and divers other
TRAITORS and rebels against the Government of
the United States, unknown TO this affant to
lleyy war against the United States; and did
then and there actually levy war against the
United States, by aiding and assisting the said
Lazelie, King and Lieuttenant-COl. Patton, and
other traitors as aforesaid, to resist and over
throw, by armed force, the laws and Government
OF the United States; and also that the said SAM
uel p. Thomas did then and there voluntarily
and unlawfully and traitorously give aid, COM
fort and assistance to those in rebellion against
the United States, by combining and eonspiring
to rescue and release by force and unlawfully, a
large number, to wit: 5.000rebel prisoners, then
and there lawfully held in the military custody
of the United States, as prisoners of war at Camp
Chase, in said district; aud also, that then and
there to release and rescue by armed force one
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