The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1864-08-11

The trained bands who were thus TO
be gathered together were to 60 there
only in pairs or squads, so as to ex-
cite no suspicious in the localities
from which they came. The incredu-
lous may regard this statement, con.
sidering the appearance Of Vallan-
digham in Ohio before the time fixed
for the National Convention at Chi.
cargo, as affording in itself evidence Of
its unreliability; but, so far from this
being the fact, the real state of the
case need but be known TO make it
proof conclusive of its truthfulness.-
The explanation Of Mr. Vallandigham's
sudden return TO Ohio is to be found
in the fact that he was on the point of
being defeated as O delegate to the
Chicargo Convention. A large por-
ton of his friends shrank from taking
step which they feared would involve
him and them in ruin, and they re.
sisted, therefore, with all their power
and might, his election to that con
vcntion. So well was he aware Of it,
and so thoroughly had he become sat.
istied Of it, that nothing but his own
personal appearance in the conven-
ton on the day Of its assembling
would save him from defeat, that he
resolved upon the feat which he per-
formed. He appeared at Hamilton
just before the convention proceeded
to the election of delegates, made his
speech, and the result was his elcc-
tion by acclamation. This is not a
matter Of conjecture, but the most in
dubitablc evidence is at hand, such as
cannot be gainsaycd either by him
self or by his friends, or any one
else-of the truth of the history thus
given of his return to his home.
TIE REBEL RELIANCE.
The order, il is affirmed, is in truth
the great lever used by the rebel Gov
crnment for its army operations
Members of the Southern section Of it
under the control of General Price,
meet and confer with members of the
Northern section, under the control Of
Vallandigham, with perfect impunity.
SAFE COMMUNICATION.
Another means of immense power for
rebel operations which this order af.
fords, is the perfectly safe communi-
cation of important information be-
tween the two sections. On this point
Colonel Sanderson says he speaks
from his own knowledge and expert
encc. lie has repeatedly had infor-
nation. which he obtained from his
agents belonging to the order, days
before those not belonging to it, or the
public, had any knowledge of it.
He instances the retrogade movement
of Steele's army from Camden to Lit
tic Rock, which was known to him in
this way three days before the intelli-
gence reached the loyal States, Or was
made known to the public. So again
information of the contemplated raid
of John Morgan into Kentucky be-
came known to him at least ten days
before his public appearance in that
State. .
UNwITTING TESTIMONY OF SOUTHERN
MEMBERS.
In addition to the vast amount OF
testimony as to the existence and Op-
Grafton of this grand conspiracy a.
gainst the Government in the loyal
States, arc statements of the most i'm
portant and conclusive character, to
which is attached the highest impor'
tance, because they contain testimo.
ny coming from members of the
Southern section of the order-per-
sons who had no knowledge what
ever of the detection of its existence
North or South, who could not by any
possibility have had any information
from personal intercourse with mem
bcrs of the Northern section as TO its
character in tho loyal States. One OF
tho statements is from rebel prison.
or in confinement in GratiOtstreet
Prison, who in prison made the &C.
quaintance of a fellow prisoner named
Charles Il. Dunn, who was arrested
placed there because he was known
to be the Deputy Grand Commander
of the order in Missouri. Dunn in,
formed the prisoner of this fact and
initiated him into the mysteries of the
first degree thereof, He further in
formed him very fully of the objects
and character of the order. All agrec
in the account given of it BY Colonel
Sanderson. Yet these members, when
under examination on their oath, sol
emnly averrcd their ignorahce of the
existence OF any such order, or being
members of il. b.. .
Another perhaps still stronger and
moro conclusive instance Of the truth
of all that is alleged by Colonel San
dcrsoh is produced by him in tho
statement Of Mary Ann Pittman, which
is ANNEXED to his report. She was {
rebel officer in the command Of For
rest, was captured just before the mas
sacre at Fort Pillow, and has beer
held in confinement as prisoner eVei
since. She could have no intercourse
or conversation with members of the
: Northern section, nor could she have
any knowledge of the information pos
sessed by Colonel Sanderson on the
subject, and yet, by references to hel
long and clear statement-coverinl
some fifty pages of foolscap papcr-it
will be seen that the character which
she gives TO the order, of which sht
admits she is a member, is expressly