Weekly Trinity journal. [volume] (Weaverville, Calif.) 1857-1972, 1864-10-29


In support of the above suggestion, which is
getting to be generally believed, the following
testimony is presented. In September last,
Emile Bourier, of Philadelphia who has been
in the service Of the War Department, addressed
the following letter to the National Union Club
of that city. We will ask the reader TO give it
an attentive perusal
To the Members of the National Union Club,
PhIadelphia-G | am in possession
Of your note in which Won ask me if remember
having made certain assertions at the rooms OF
the National Union Club in January last, on my
return from the rebel lines, in regard to Gen
George b. Mcclellan and and Clement L. VAL
landigham, and desiring to know II would re-
teratc said statements.
recollect perfectly we'll having made certain
statements in regard to the two persons named,
and in presence of several members of the Club.
In response to yonr inquiry if would repeat
said statement. will answer you by saying
First That while the battle before Richmond,
Virginia, in 1862, was still progressing, and i'm
mediatelv after Gen. Mcclellan had fallen back
from before that city, in company with friend,
officer in the rebel service, who was prevented
from joining his command in the fight in queS-
ton account of a wound received at the bat
tie of Seven Pines, and, being provided with
special permit from the War Department at Rich
mond, visited the Notifications around Rich
mond, and advanced to distance of about two
miles of that city where we met Col. Gayle, OF
the 18th Alabama (rebel) regiment, who was a
particular friend of the officer in whose company
/ was also Lieut. Col. Pickens, of the same
regiment, with whom had the advantage of a
personal acquaintance. The Colonel was super
intending the disinterment of a number of cases
of T. S. rifles, which lay buried in the ground,
and in rows, the soil heaped over them as if they
graves. Four of the of rifles were
already unburied when reached the spot, and
had the Ito me unpleasant) satisfaction of hand
ling some of those guns, which had already been
taken out of the cases.
heard Col. Gayle say that the interment of
these guns was known at the War Department
! (rebel even before McClelllns retreat from be-
/ fore that city
On the inquiry of my friend and Dr. Kelly, OF
the rebel army, from Col. Gayle, if he thought
it had been intended that said guns should fall
into the hands of the Confcderates, the Colonel
answered in the affirmative, and concluded by
saying, " Macs all right"
! Not more than hundred yards distant from
/ this spot Lieut. Col. Pickens pointed out to me
a number of ambulances-two hundred and ten
in number-and said he had assisted at their
capture and that. when captured the horses
belonging to said ambulances were htched
some TO trees and some to the rear of the am
balances. As was then in the employ of the
United States, ii was my business to gather as
much Information in regard to military matters
/ as possible, and on nay inquiry Of Col. PlckenS
| if he thought these ambulances had been intend
| ed to be in the same bargain as the rifles,
he said ~ don see what else they they shouid
have been intended for, for they were just "heie
| you see them and the horses hitched as you see
them, while the fight going on r'gnI hefe'