Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1864-10-20
LOCAL NEWS.

The LATE MILITARY ARREsTS--Opening OF
the Trial Of arrested Parties on Charge of Fur
nishing Goods to the RebelS-MeSSrs. johnson G
Sutton, Dry Goods Dealers, up To-day-At the
Military Commission in session on street,
this afternoon, Messrs. johnson IL Sutton, dry
goods dealers on eth street, together with the
clerks in their establishment We're on trial,
charged with furnishing goods to the rebels.
General Doubleday is President of the Com
nilsson, but General Fessenden presides in the
absence Of General Doubleday. Col. Foster is
Judge Advocate.
Messrs Johnson and Sutton were present,
as was their chief clerk, MI Henniss, all Of
whom plead not guilty. Messrs. A. j. Little
and S. Wood appear as counsel for the prison.
ers.
Pardon Worsley being sworn, in reply to the
irterrogations Of the Judge Advocate, testified
he was trader between this city and various
points were in possession Of Moseby's guerrll-
las; first saw johnson IN May last at his store;
went there to buy goods; asked Messrs. Johnson
Il Sutton to fill orders for him. told them he
was going to Mosby's battalion with them: thew
filled his orders for him; goods comprised all
kinds Of dry goods, principally gloves, gaunt.
lets, shirts, flannel and cloth known as "Con-
federate gray the orders had attached to them
the names Of the parties whom they were for;
goods were packed in bundles which We're
placed in boxes; he lWorsiey) came to the
them away in a wagon; took them to Mosby;
settled for the last trip last Friday.
The witness was asked to name prominent
parties whose names are attached to the orders,
and he mentioned Adjutant Blackwell, of
Mosby's staff, Capt. McGeorge, 1t. Lavender,
Of Mosby's battalion, and r. p. Buckner, with
the goods were tor Mrs. Mosby. marked an.
II. b. Witness told Messrs. johnson Il SUIT
ton what I'M. H. B." meant.
A pile OF papers was here laid before wit
ness, which he was asked to look at said they
were bills for some Of the first goods he pur-
chased. Another package was laid before
him, which he stated, after examination, con-
tanned the orders for the last goods purchased.
Some OF them were the original orders drawn
In Virginia; witness had conversed with all
hands at the store of Messrs johnson & Sutton:
usually did his trading with Henniss.
Cross.examined by Mr.. Little Was born in
Connecticut; lived in Massachusetts when the
war broke out; had been running goods since
about the 10th of May last Had partner in
him; his wife had been in Washington with him;
his wife went with him on his first visit to the
store OF Messrs J. q s.; Miss Fanny Nolan,
of Virginia, went with him there in June, she
purchased some things there; when he first
went there he introduced himself; showed
Messrs. johnson Il Sutton permission from
Federal authorities to sell fruit and vegetables
in the vicinity of Washington; he told them ne
had permit to peddie goods in the Federal
lines and that be sometimes s'slipped
through to Fairfax; told them the first
time he went there, where he wanted to take
the goods: he had filled about ten different or
ders. he said, to make the story short, at the
he had lot Of goods in a warehouse in this
city; told Johnson Il Sutton that he was going
to try 10 get his goods "through;' they told him
to be very careful; the last purchase was set.
names of those who ordered it; always had
two bills made out, one with the prices
doubled; the smaller amount was the price he
paid-the larger, what he represented to the
rebels as the price.
He was asked if he had connection with the
Government during this time. To this the
Judge Advocate objected, and the court was
cleared to settle the point.
After the doors were thrown open, the Court
ruled that the question was proper one, ana
that the witness must state his connection with
the Government.
The witness (Worseley) stated that he was
engaged about the LIST Of April, and sent out by
the Government. Sold goods to Mosby and his
officers under the direction and by the knoWl-
edge of the Government, and he always IN
formed the Government of what he did Wit.
ness wife was also On the same business, ana
he was compensated bv the Government.
Witness had made money selling goods,
but had not divided proceeds with the
Government. Witness gave BONDS 70
the faithful PERFORMANCES Of his duties. There
were other parties with witness besides ms
wife when he went TO johnson o. SuHons.
IT Stone was win wtn nexer nsed bill heads
when thew made out bills for witness, but they
doubled the amount Of price OF goods pur-
chased and signed their names to the receipts.
There were other men with witness at the store,
but they did not know bis business. Witness was
net recommended to the Government for de-
tective. Int he offered himself and was en-
nioyed bY Gen. Augur. The object Of the Gov
eminent in employing witness was to find ont
blockade runners, and obtain infornanoA in
the Valley from Mesby and others. Witness
had no knowledge OF what would be done
with the funds he obtained from the rebels
tor goods. Part OF witneesS BUSINESS was
to find out the Whereabouts Of Mostly Snd
give such infoYmatton to General Augur as
would lead to Mosby.s capture. y Witness met
Fannie Nolan at Middlabury, and brought her
to this city. and took herto Joenson y Sutsonr
store M. Johpson never told Witness that
there were any other persona hayinG goods OF
him who were engaged In the same business e