The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1864-11-03
From Another Correspondent.
Washington, Oct. 26, 1864


Astounding discoveries have been made
by the Government of intended frauds in
regard to soldiers votes.
The grounds of the confidence of lead
ing Democrats Of being able to carry New
York are now understood.
A systematic aud wide spread conspira-
cy has been brought to light carried on
by agents here, at Baltimore, Harper's
Ferry, and in the Army of the Potomac,
under the immediate supervision and di-
rection of the party in that State. Seve-
raj of these agents have been arrested,
aud are now ia jail, and others viii be
arrested as fast as proof can be collected,
aud proper provision can be made for
their trial
Ncu now in custody have been active
ly engaged in this business fer weeks,
and, as one of the parties iuvolvci de
clares, forged ballots of this kind have
been forwarded in dry goods boxes ful!
to New-I York aud Albany.
Judge Holt, the judge Advocate Cen
e.~i,thas hal the papers laid before him,
and has prepared a brief report on the
subject lie tronoances the crime thus
CON .aitted to be one of the most serious
character, and it will be dealt with as
such by the Government.
A Military Commission has already
been ordered, and will meet tomorrow
morning in Baltimore, under the Presi-
dency of Gen. Doubleday, for the trial Of
two of the leading actors in this consplra-
cy, who are known to have been in direct
and constant communication with leading
members of the party.
The testimony in their cases, which /
have seen and read, is full, direct and
conclusive 1t will leave not the 5hi est
room for doubt that gigantic couspira-
cy has been at work for months in ma
turing and executing plan for dcirdui-
ing the soldiers of their votes, and for
overwhelming the suffrage Of citizens at
at home, by the forged votes OF thousands
aud tens of thousands of soldiers who
have fallen in battle or died in the hospi-
tails, or who have never existed. In some
eases sealed envelopes containing Lin
coin" ballots have been opened and "Mc-
Clellan" ballots have been substituted ;
but the main reliance Of the conspirators
has been in the forgery of signatures OF
pretended soldiers to papers transmitting
Mcclellan and Seymour" votes.
The court martial which meets to-mor-
row for the purpose Of trying the parties
already arrested, will make short work OF
the case, and the Government will not
hesitate to carry into effect whatever sen
sence they may pronounce.
Other parties implicated will be sent
before them as rapidly as possible; aud all
the agents in the affair are under the
.igilent surveillance Of the Government
You must not be surprised if these dis
closure aud arrests should touch some
persons hig in political authority.
Among other things discovered IN this
city, was the headquarters of set oi
gentlemen busily engaged in filing uE
commissions of agents, signed in blank
aud some of the parties involved them
selves hold commissions.
Baltimore, Oct 81, 1864.
1t is alleged that extensive frauds have
been discovered In this city and Wash.
ington on the part of the Commissioners
of New York State to receive and forward
the votes of soldiers. Two State Agents
NJ. j. Ferry of Canton, St. Lawrence
County, and Edward Donhue of Albany
have been arrested, and were brought fol
trial this morning before the Military
Commission, of which Maj Gen. Abnel
Doubleday in President, and Col. Johr
A. Foster, of the l95th New York, Judge
Advocate. The following charge and
specifications were read: