The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1864-09-30
An Extraordinary Revelation.

a gentleman named Emile Bourlier,
who was Tor some time in the employ Of
the War Depart mtnt, and whose integrity
is vouched for by those who know him in
Philadelphia, has communicated letter
to the National Union Club in Philadel
phia. containing the following astounding
revelation. MIR. Bourlier, il seems, was
in Richmond, during the battles before
that city in 1862, when Mcclellan did his
best to hand over the Union army into
Rebel hands. We quote from the Phila
delphia North american:
While the battle before Richmond, Va,
in 1869, was still progressing, and imme.
diately after Gen. Mcclellan had fallen
back from before that city, in company
with friend. an officer in the rebel s.r-
vice. who was prevented from Joining his
command 10 The fight in question, on ac
count of wound received at the battle of
Seven Pines, and, being provided with a
special permit from the War Department
at Richmond, / visited the Notifications
around Richmond, and advanced to dis
tance OF about Two miles north Of that city,
where we met Col. Gayle, of the l2lh
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 personal acquaintance.
The Col. was experimenting the disin,er.
ment Of a number Of cases of U. s. rifles,
which lay buried in the ground. and in
rows, the soil beape6 over them as IL they
were graves. Four Of the cases of rifles
were already unburied when l reached
the spot. and l had the 10 me unpeasant
satisfaction Of handling some ofthose guns
which had already been taken out Of the
cases.
heard Col. Gayle say that the inter.
ment Of these guns was known at the
War Department (rebel) even before Nc
Clellan's retreat from before that city.
On the inquiry oI my friend snd DR.,
Kelly, Of the rebel army, from Col. Gayle
il he thought i: had been intended ,ha,
said guns shoulc fall into the hands Of tic
Confederates, the Colonel answered ir the
affirmative, and concluded by saying
"Mac's all right"
Not more than hundred yards distant
from this spot, Lieut.. Col Pickens pointed
out to me 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 am balances were hitched, some to the
trees and some to the rear of the ambu
lances. As was then in the employ Of
the United States, il was my business to
gather as much Information in regard to
military matters as possible. and on my
inquiry OF Col. Pickens il he thought
these ambulances had been intended TO be
in the same bargain as the rifles, be
said: II don't see what else they should
have been intended for, for they were just
where you see them, while the fight was
going on right here" ....,.
Presently some whiskey was handed
around. vnd we all drank toast to."Lil.
tie Mac" ...
About the month of April Of the same
year. as was going from Richmond 10
Mobile. in company with Lieut.. Wilt,
and DR.. Knood. Of Missouri, and DR.. Font,
leroy, Of Virginia--tbe two latter gentle
meu being OF the rebel General Price S
staff--we met Brigadier General Watson,
Of Alabama. Gen. Watson said in my
presence, that then, or at any lime after
the war. be could give satisfactory proof
hat Geo. B. Mcclellan, Of The Federal
army, at the outbreak OF the rebellion and
during the preliminary arrangements for
the org ganization of the Confederate army.
had offered his services 10 the Confcder.
ate government, but that as the Confed.
erale government had resolved 10 give
rank in preference to officers formerly in
the United States service according TO
seniority of rank, they could not give
to Mcclellan what he desired, as other
officers ranked him in seniority; snd that
Nc Clellan. having become offended at
this, then offered his services TO the U. s.
In December, 1869, | had occasion to
call on Governor Shorter, OF Alabama.
who was then sojourning at the Hunts.
vile Hotel, Huntsville, Alabama. Gov.
Shorter introduced me 10 Gen. Watson,
who was present. The General recog.
nized me Immediately. And, as the Gov