Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-08-13
Curious Scheme Of Emigration.
A BOSTON SECRET.
shiplOaes of Emfgranfs EnIisf1ng i'm
our Army---Seenes sRtAntWerp--NOVel
Proceedings.

One week ago to day, between four and
five hundred men were landed in Boston
Harbor, and were shortly after mustered in
to the service of the United States. and ap-
piled on the quota of Boston.
They came from Belgium. Two other
trips, one to Hamburger and one to Ireland,
we're made for the same purpose. This
novel scene of emigration has been kept
secret uutil recently. The following des-
cribes how they were recruited:
A part of the story of this curious emf
grafton scheme is not secret, but it Is novel
and interesting. The men who came in the
Bellona were Of different nationalities, but
were collected in Belgium under the direc-
ton of Julian Allen, formerly Colonel Of
the well-known organization called the
"Polish Legion" of thus city-a regiment
which it was proposed tGeecrlit at the be-
gining of the war. among the Polish refn-
gees in this eountry<but its ranks were not
filed in time and the men were consolidat-
ed into other regiments. Mr.. Allen went
abroad to assist his countrymen in their
late struggle for independence and he is now
doing what he can for American interest.
Six hundred men were gathered within
three weeks, and constant accessions were
made to their numbers. 1t was not
difficult to collect them. The people of
Europe are acquainted with the efforts max
inc here to obtain recruits; and many per
O---' s--.s.e4,Sn % our cOnsnis-
queht'y -1h-s--1frnatur that some facil-
tiles for transportation hither might be
afforded by our diplomatic representatives,
but those officers, in accordance with the IN
structions of our government, reject the
proposals. r-r. l#s..-
When, however it became known at
Antwerp recently, that Mr.. Allen would
receive persons and send them across the
ocean, the tidings were quickly conveyed
to the principal cities near the seabo md Of
the continent; and Immediately men came
from III directions. They wall ed about at
A1tw,rp in crowds. A part of them were
so much elated with the prospect OF going
to America, that they marched in process
sions, carrying rags to represent banners, on
long sticks, like hagstaifs; much to the as
constituent Of some Of the townspeople
and the amusement Of others, who thought
new society had suddenly sprung into ex-
istenoe, and that ragganuffins were the
only members. -
The Belgian Government would not per
init them TO leave until they had each con-
tract saying that he went Of his own ac-
cord
The contract between the men ana the
Benona, was that each should do whatever
was required on landing IN TINS country.
The Bellona was to sail on the 9Th, but
most of the eInigrants left the ship on see
ing quantity of bad provisions furnished
by dishonest contractor. To induce them
to return all the provisions we thrown over
board before the faces of some of the dis
eontented men, and they were promised
that the best food in the market should be
procured for them, and that they should
have double rations. The new food was
bought, and was followed on board, soon
afterwards, by the runaways. s.-
The men had another reason for return
ing TO their places on the ship. They were
nearly all rough persons in anticipation
Of the trip they had disposed of everything
they possessed, even their spare clothing
for liquor, and had had a general "spree.b
So, now they had neither money nor means
OF obtaining any and the want Of food ad-
monished them of the propriety of fulfil
ing their contract.