Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1864-10-28

substance below and ask Ior IL j cifeIuf pefustl
IT'S ORIGIN, HISTORY, NAmEs Ecr.
This secret association first developed itself in
the. West in 1862, about the period of the first
corscription of troops, which it aimed to obstruct
and resist. Originally known in certain locali-
ties as the Mutual Protection Society, the
'sCirelc Of Honor on the Circle or knights
Of the Mighty Host, but more widely as tho
''Knigllts Of the Golden Circle, It was simply
an inspiration of the rebellion, being little other
than an extension among the disoyal and disat-
fected at the North of the association Of the lat
ter name, which had existed for some years at
the South, and from which It derived all the chief
features Of its organization.
During the summer and fall cf 1863 the Order,
both at the North and South, underwent some
notifications, as well as change of name In
consequence Of partial exposure which had
| been made Of the signs and secret forms Of the
knights Of the Golden Circle, Sterling Price
had instituted as its successor in Missouri secret
political associetion, which he called the Corps
de Belgique" or Southern League his prin-
cipal coadiutator being Charles i. Hunt, of St,
Louis then Belgian Consul at that city, but
whose e,reqaator was subsequently revoked by the
President on account Of his disloyal practices. -
The special object of the Corps de Belgique ap-
pears to have been to unite the rebel sympathi-
zers of Missouri, with view to their taking up
arms and joining Price upon his proposed grand
invasion Of thai State and to theirrecruiting for
his army in the interim.
Meanwhile, also, there, had been instituted at
the North, in the autumn Of 1863, by suudry dis
loyal persons, prominent among whom were Val
! landigham and p c. Wright, Of New York, a
secret order, Intended to be gcnaral throughout
the country, and aiming at an extended influence
and power, and at more positive results than its
predecessor, and which was termed, and has since
been widely known as the 0. A. k, order Qf
4naertca,t Kaights.
The opinion is expressed by Colonel Sanderson,
Provost Marshal General Of the Department Of
Missouri, in his official report npon the progress
of the order, that it was founded by Yallandg
ham during his banishnent, and upon consulta-
ton at Richmond with Davis and other promi-
nent traitors 1t is, indeed the boast of the order
in Indiana and elsewhere, that its ritual came
direct from Davis himself and Mary Ann Pitt
man. formally attached to the command Of the
rebel Forrest, and most intelligent witness
whose testimony win be hereafter referred to,
states positively that Davis is member Of the
order.
. Upon the institution Of the principal organi-
cation. it IS represented that the Corps de Bel
sique" was modified by Price. and became a
Southern section Of the 0. A. K, and that the
new name was generally adopted for the order,
both at the North and South.
The secret signs and character Of the order
having become known to our military authori-
ties further notifications in the ritual and forms
were introduced, and in its name was finally
changed to that of the 0. S. L., or Order Of
the Sons Of Liberty" or the knights Of the Or
der Of the Sons Of Liberty These later changes
arc represented to have been FIRST instituted,
and the ritual compiled, in the State Of Indiana
in May last, but the new name was at once gen
orally adopted throughout the West, though in
some localities the association is still better known
as the "Order of American Knights.
1t is to be added chat in the State of New
York, and other parts Of the North, the secret
political association, known as the " Mcclellan
Minute Guard, would seem to be branch OF
the O. A. K, having substantially the same OBJ
iects, to be accomplished, however, by means,
expressly suited to The localities in which it is es-
tablished. For, as the Chief Secretary Of this
association, DR.. r. Z. Stevens stated in june
last to a reliable witness, whose testimony has
been furnished, those who represent the McClel-
Ian interest are compelled to preach vigorous
prosecution Of the war; In order to secure the
popular sentiment and allure voters
i The strength and significance Of this organiza-
ton lie in its military character The secret
constitution OF the Supreme Council provides
that the Supreme Commander "sbaHb coD5alaaa-
del IN chief Of al military forces 5coagitcg to tbt
order IL the rarjoas Sttes ,o5ea called into actual
sergice and further that the Grand Commanders
shall Be 1ters-lt-cjtt of the ntttary for
ces Of their respective States Subordinateto to the
Grand Commander in the State are the ssliqjor
Generals, each Of whom commands his separate
district and army. In lndiaal the Major Gener-
ais are four in number. La Illinois, where the
organizazation Of the Order Is considered most
perfect, the members in each Congressional Dis
trict compose a brigade" wlich is commanded
BY q Brigadier General Remembers Of each
county constitute regimen" witha Colonel
in command, and those Of eaa township form a
company" A somewhat similar system pre-
walls in Indiana, where also eah company is diyi-
ded into squads" each viii its chief -an ar
rangement intended to facitat the guerrilla mode
Of warfare in the case of gneral outbreak or
local disorder
The Mcclellan Minute Gard, as appears
from circular issued by the Chief Secretary in
New Yerk in March last is orpnized upon mil
itary basis similar to that Of Il order proper
1t is composed Of companies, pne for each elco-
ton district, ten Of which Institute brig
: ade, . with .'brigadier gener{ at its head
, The whole is placed under autbrity of com
rnander-in-clief. " A strict oilionce on the part
of members to the orders Of tlir supeIiors is en-
joined
: The greater part of the chit and subordinate
nfficel.s Of the nrlIe- md Is h.,clna 90 ,.a as