Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1865-11-30
From Maxinn.

Tha Mattamoras Ranchero, of the 2sth ult.
contains the following: .a. ~
On last Saturday night the city was to have
been surrendered to the outlaws, and General
Mejia assasSna'ed. The plot for accomplish
ment of this purpose had been deeply laid
and could not have been maturing less than
q month.
Captain W. W. Gholson and Lieutenept
Burch were to turn over Fort Matanzas n,
ten o'clock last Sunday night to hundred OF
the outlaws, dressed in Contra Guerilla
costume, which costume Gholson and Burch
had purchased and struggled out to them
while performing scouting service
Following the surrender of Fort Matanzas.
q large portion of the outlaw force was to
march into and near it; but while this was
going on, the outlaws in Contra Guerilla"
costume were to take the fort next adjoining
from the rear, under friendly guisc and
this fort. as aoon as taken, would likewise be
taken possession of by large force of out
laws. In this way the Gordon OF forts sur
rounding the city, or so many of them as
possible, were to be captured.
The outlaws, however, had not laid their
plans with view to capturing all the forts
under disguise; and accordingly were to have
made an attack with the outlaw force, in re
serve outside. on the forts at the south east
point of the city, Immediately after the forts
at the northeast point had surrendered
The object Of this attack was to draw the
Imperial forces to the assaulted point, while
the material outlaw forces at the CAPTURED
forts would advance. take possession Of the
Plaza, and attack General Mcjia in rear.
Having possession Of the city, and having
General Mcjia between two fires, it was not
doubted but what success would crown the
But more than this. and to render certainty
doubly sure, General Mcjia was to be as
sassinated at an early stage of the proceedings
by Gholson and Burch, who would be relieved
from the surrendered fort in time to accom-
plish their hellish work. Thus throwing the
Imperial troops into disorder. by the loss of
heir distinguished head, the outlaws hoped
70 achieve an easy victory.
The sum OF money stipulated to be paid for
he sale of Fort Matanzas was S35 900 and
or the assassination of General Mejia, 20, 900
nore-a portion of which sums had been paid
'ver, and the residue was on deposit in
OF course, parties in Brownsville were i'm
Heated deeply in the conspiracy, extending
ven to federal officer, whose name we do
ot now mention.
On Sunday morning, twelve hours before
Iort Matanzns was to be surrendered, w. w |
;holson was arrested, and the same day was
ried. found guilty. and executed Hi.
onfrere in crime, Lieutenant Burch, by which
ane lie is known here, made his escape and
as not been arrested.
The evidence against the conspira.ors is
lore than conclusive; IN fact. record testi-
ony covers the whole case But aside from
lis, Gholsons answers to the interrogations
ropounded him on trial doubly convicted
i'm of all that was charged
None but Americans were implicated in
&c plot, and leave no doubt that American
eachery is entitled to ascendency over all
nds. None of the contra-guerilla force was
'rty to the conspiracy, save and except the
ptain and lieutenant and evidence that the
hole company at Fort Matanzas were to
I'VE been surrendered to and put to death
7 the outlaws.