Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1864-08-26
A TREAsoNABLE CONSPIRACY EXPOSED.

mander
Below We give extracts from the official
copy Of the testimony OF Green B. Smith, late
/ Secretsrv Of the treasonahe organization
known as American Knights or ''Sons OF
Liberty" 1t explains itself; and the truth OF
TIE statement made is confirmed by similar
statements under oath OF other high officers OF
the order, and by conclusive testimony from
other sources. including the captured rolls,
books, aud official record of their proceedings:
Green B. Smith, of lawful age, being duly
sworn, deposes asd says: That be was bOrn
in ST. Louis county, State of Missouri, and
is by occupation clerk has been clerlxiug
! for Meszrs. ttrinsIy & Go. since 1859.
When were you arrested?
Ans.-The 28th day Of May, 1864.
Q.-Have you been examined under oath
since your arrest and Incarceration?
/ Al have.
Q-Were the answers by you given under
that examination in reference to q secret po-
liticsl organization correct?
A-No. sir, they were not
Q-What induced you 10 withhold the
facts under that examination?
A solemn oath a1d the influence of
other parties Implicated with me
Q-W hat is the nature of that oath and
what the influence of other parties
Al took an oath rot to reveal facts con
nected with a certain secret organization, un-
der penalty OF death, and the influence OF
members of said organization has thus far pre-
vented me. from revealing the truth.
Q-Staie in what manner that influence
has been exercised.
A-Religiousy and morally. have been
instructed TO believe that the oath spoken of
was binding and paramount to every other
consideration.
Q Who has led you to this belief?
A-Ay superior officers ia the organization
Of which am about 10 speak.
Q-What is said organization called?
A-"Order OF the American Knights, " re-
Gently charged TO "Sons of Liberty
| Q-Where was you initiated into the mys-
terious of said organization ?
A-Sometime in the spring of 1868.
Q--Where was you initiated?
A-Corner OF Fifth and Market, over
Litch's Drug Store, in the city of ST Louis.
Q-Have you been member ia good
standing ever since
Ayes, sir, l think have
Q-What is the origin of the Order OF
American Knights?
Al have heard that it originated in the
State Of Louisiana in 1863 also, that it ex-
tends back to the Revolution of 1776, having
had precarious existence previous to the
present rebellion
Q-What is the relation between this Or
der and the so-called Confederate Govern
ment?
A-At the time Joined understood that
its object was to aid and assist the Cenfed-
crate Government, and endeavor to restore
the Union as it was prior to this rebellion.
| Ola what particular was aid and assist
Ance to be given to the Confederate Govern,
ment?
AIN any and all ways and at any and all
times
Q-Do you know of any aid and assistance
having been rendered by this Order during
your connection with it in the manner above
spoken Of?
| Al know that arms and ammunition
have been purchased by members of this Or
| der, to send to other members il the country
where they could not be had
Q-Do you know anything about advices
| in reference to this Order having been sent to
the rebel army
A-Of my own knowledge l dc not, but
have through members heard that constant
| communication was kept up between st.
Louis and the rebel army.
! Q-Wha, kind of arms are mostly furnish
ed 10 parties in the country by members oi
this Order?
| A-Revolvers
Q-Are they purchased or obtained in St
Louis?
A--Yes, sir.
Q-Is the ammunition also?
A-Yes, sir.
! O-When was the revolutionary move.
ment contemplated by this Order to have ia
ken place?
A-The advent OF Mr.. Vnllandigham into
the Urited States from exile.
O-Wben we're the members of this Order
first instructed to arm aud prepare for this
movement?
A-Ta the summer and fall OF 1868.
OH what manner was the Confederate
army 10 COOPERATE viii thia OlNei.' .s-
A-This Order was to hold itself in readi
ness to act with the Confederate army upor
its advent into the State.
O-Who was to have command of mer
composed of this Order in Missouri in tha
event?
A-The Grand Commander of the Stat'
Of Missouri
Q-What disposition was to have beer
made of the United States officers command
iBg this Department in that event?
! A-Trsated as common enemy.
Q-This Order is exclusively made up o
disloyal persons, is it not?
A-Yas, sir; all Democrats who are desir
: GUS Of securing the independence of the Con
federats States, with view OF restoring th
Union As it was
Q-Havs you ever purchased any arms or
ammunition to supply members of this Or
der ?
Al have
Q-What amount of each?
A-very little ammunition; perhsPS tw
hundred revolvsrs in all!
ON what manner were they sent away?
A-Some were delivered to the parties them
selves, and some were shipped.
Q-were not those shipped nearly a.
sent to Northern Missouri?
A-Yes, sir; nearly all OF them.
Q--Were purcbaseS on regular permits, 0
! clandeltnely?
A Clardestinely. ...