The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1864-09-29

ABOUT the month or April or the same
year, as [ was going from Richmond to
Mobile, in company with Lieut.. Wilt
and DR.. Knoed of Missouri, and DR..
Fontleroy, of Virginia, the two latter gen
tlemen being of the rebel Gen. Prices
staff, we met with Brig. Gen. Watson, of
Alabama. Gen. Watson said in my pres
ence that then, or at any other time after
the war, he could give satisfactory proof
that George B. Mcclellan, of the Federal
army, at the outbreak of the rebellion
and during the preliminary arrangements
army, had offered his services to the Con-
federate Government, but that as the
Confederate Government had resolved to
give rank In preference to officers former
iy 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 and that
Mcclellan having become offended al this,
then offered his services to the United
States.
In December, 1862, had occasion to
call on Governor Shorter, of Alabama,
who was then sojourDiugat at the Huntsville
hotel, Huntsville, Alabama. Governor
Shorter introduced me to General Watson,
who was present. The General recogniz-
ed me Immediately. And, as the Govern
or resumed conversation with another
person in the room, /, while in conversa-
tion with the General, had occasion to re-
fer to our trip to Mobile, and purposely
brought about the conversation In refer
ence to General Mcclellan, and General
Watson reiterated the statement he had
previously made in regard to Mcclellan.
In regard to Clement L. Vallandigham,
the Ohio traitor, | will say that during his
sojourn at Richmond he was repeatedly
closeted with jeff. Davis, James A. Sed-
don, the rebel Secretary of War, and Ju-
dab P. Benjamin, the rebel Secretary of
State.
During my visit to Richmond at that
epoch, l learned from reliable sources
(rebel oficials) that this Ohio traitor had
pledged his word to the rebel authorities
that if the Democratic party at the North
succeeded in electing their candidate at
the next Presidential election, he would
use all his influence to obtain peace on the
basis of recognition of the Confederate
States as separate and Independent gov-
eTnnlent. tHz
Moreover, during my stay at Richmond,
having called on Mr. Benjamin, the Sec
retary of State, with view to obtain an
on business OF private charac
ter, was told by an official in attendance
at the Department of State-who of course
believed me to be loyal confederate
that it was uncertain when | could chance
to see Mr.. Benjamin and that as the
visitor of Mr. Benjamin was Mr.. Vallan-
digham, whom this official styled the
"Ohio refugee" the conference might be
protracted to late hour On }that day,
although | waited until after the hour for
business at thar department, [
did not get to see Mr.. Benjamin.
AT that time divers were the rumors in
private circles among the rebels, that
Vallandigham had pledged himself to the
Confederate cause. OF this the War De
partment at Washington was informed in
a report made by me and other Govern
ment agents.
Great were the expectations Of the reb-
els during my last visit within their lines,
if this VallanGigham faction succeeded in
electing their candidate to the Presidency.
Let it be remembered that this Vallan-
digham faction are the men who seek to
elect George b. Mcclellan TO an Office
which none but loyal men should FILL
Very respectfully, yours, &C.,
EMILE BOURLIER.
PHILADELPHIA, Sept. Il, 1864.