Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1864-08-18

Win tUO3e tUttFtHlUbu W n UtuiUcFs ub ID
Immediately solicited to Join, and taken 10
ber's room, where the neopbyte is duly in
in that portion Of the rituals to be found in
pamphlet marked w TO V to Order Of Bu-
siness "inclusive."1 ....
Q.-What is requisite in taking the sec
ond degreep
A.-Simply the recommendation Of any
member Of the second degree, with two
members to vouch for him. The same for.
nlula is observed in taking the third degree.
To enable him to take the fourth it is ne
cessary that he should be elected to the
Grand Council or fourth degree by the mem
bers OF the first degree.
Q.-What is requisite in taking the fifth
or Supreme degree.
A.-Members Of the fourth degree are
elected by the members Of that degree; are
then sent to the Supreme Council, where
they are duly initiated and credited to the
Grand Council or fourth degree.
Q.-What is the grip, sign OF recognition,
and password to the fourth degree2
A.-The grip is given by clasping the
right hands with the index Of the fore finger
resting upon the pulse Of each, the sign (tho
only genuine one) is made by shading the
eyes with the right, and the left hand placed
upon the right breast, and the pass word /
am unable to give because each county has a
distinct one, and is changed monthly
Q.-What words are used when the sign
Of distress cannot be seen2
A.-Aok-Houn!
Q.-What is the origin Of the Order of
American Knights?
Al have heard that it originated in the
State Of Louisiana in 1861 also that it ex-
tends back to the Revolution of l776, hav-
ing had a precarious existence to the pres
ent rebellion
Q.--What is the relation between this
Order and the so-called Confederate Gov
ernment?
AT the time that I Joined I under
stood that its object was to aid and assist
the Confederate Government, and endeavor
to restore the Union as it was prior to this
rebellion.
ON what particular was aid and assist
ance to be given to the Confederate Gov
ernment?
AIN any and all ways and at any all
Q.--Do yot khow of any aid and assist
ance having been rendered by this Order
during y6ur cohuection with it in the man.
ner above spoken Off
Al know that arms and ammunition
have been purchased by members of this
Order, to send to other members in the
country where they could not be had
Q.--Do you know anything about advi-
ces in reference to this Order having been
sent to the rebel army2
A.--Of my own knowledge do not, but
/ have through members heard that con-
stant communication was kept up between
ST. Louis and the rebel army.
Q.-What kind Of arms are mostly fur.
nished to parties in the country by members
of this Order?
Q.-Are they Purchased or obtained in
St. Louis2 :.
A.-Yes. sir.
Q.-ls the ammunition also
A.-Yes, sir.
Q.-When was the revolutionary move
ment contemplated by this Order to have
taken place
A.-The advent Of Mr.. Vallandighan
into the United States from exile :,
Q.-When were the members of this Or
der first instructed to arm and prepare fo
this movement?
&,-In the summer and fall of 1863.
ON what manner was the. Confederate
army to cooperate with this Order?
A.-This Order was to hold itself in read
incss to act with the Confederate army upol
its advent into the State.
Q.-Who was to have command of mel
composing this Order in Missouri in tia
event?
A.-The Grand Commander of the Stat
of Missouri.
Q.-What disposition was to have bee
made Of the officers commanding this De
partment in that event?
A.--Treated as a common enemy.
Q.-This Order is exclusively made UP q
disloyal persons, is it not?
A.-Yes sir; all Democrats who are de-
sirous of securing the independence of tn
Confederate States, with q view of resto
ing the Union as it was
Q.-Have You ever purchased any arm
or ammunition to supply members Of th
Order?
Al have.
Q.-What amount of each?
Avery little ammunition; perhar
two hundred revolvers in all
ON what manner were they sent ava,
A!-Some were delivered to the partit
themselves, and some were shipped.
Q.-Were not those so shipped nearly a
sent to Northern Missouri?
: A.--Yes, sir; nearly all of them.
O. Were purchases on regular permit
or clandestinely2
] A.-Ctandestinely. ...-
Q,-What is the number of this Ord
!, in St. Louis?
A.-From three to fifteen thousand mel
Q,-What is the humber in the State
u Missiouri2
u A.-From forty to sixty thousand.
Q--You stated yesterday that the in1fti
ton into the First Degree Of this Order W
in accordance with, instructions contained
q pamphlet marked "W;" please sta
whether you have ever seen pamphl
10 similar to that now exhibited, and VIII,
E. and where?
Al have; just previous to my ARE.
,s (s8th May at Charles L. Hunts room,
l. the city Of st. Louis
n Q.-Is that pamphlet used for any 81
VI cifc purpose by the officers Of tho Order
American knights?
a. q, A.-Yes, for the purpose of initiati
IN members. ..
=, 0,.Havd you seen it used for such p,
al poses? - ~
Al have.
10 The Pamphlet marked "V" being sho,