Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1867-07-20
Gen. Z. G.. Lees Testimony On the
TRIAL n? Sursatt.


testified, on Monday last, of his meeting
with Surralt there in April 1863.
Edwin G. Lee sworn and examined
BY Mr.. Bradley-Wltness now resided IN
Texas; was a native of YIrginis; was
brigadier general in the Confederate ar
nv: in April, 1868, witness was in Can
ada; while there met John II. SuHatt
FIST saw him on lie 9Th Of April, 1865.
Q-Sts,e whether he brought any de-
spaich 70 you; aud il so, from whom
Mr.. picuepoinI-l object.
Mr.. Bridlry-Sletr your objection.
Mr.. Pierppoin!--Novct U'ud, we OBJ
jec' iha,'s all.
Mr.. Bradley said lie proposed 10 show
iI.aI Surral. IVES making arrangements TO
seile in Cana Ia when lie was employed
by General bre, the witness, for special
mission in Elmira. New York. The
prosecution had charged that SuTran had
received SO much money from Mr..
Thompson, and he now desired 10 show
that Surrali had not received one dollar
from Thompson. lie offered TO show
that Surrau was in ElmIra on another du'
ty, and not there for The purpose OF assls-
ting IN this conspiracy. He desired TO
have certain evidence ruled out, it was
not ruled ui,and he now desired to show
that lie did no. receive money from
Thompson.
Judge Fisher sustained the objection,
and the testimony was ruled cut.
Sir. BradIey-WelI, | will reduce my
proposition 10 writing and have il pat on
record.
twelve o'clock The court took re-
cess for thirty minutes.
On reassemblng a! 1850
NJ. Bradley stated that he had during
the recess written out his proposition, and
read it as follows:
On the farther trial Of this cause the de-
PENDANT offered losgiye in evidence tend
ing 10 show. first, that on the 9Th OF April,
1868, he arrived in Montreal, in Canada;
was the bearer OF desoslch from Mr.
Benjamin, the Secretary Of Stale Of the
Confederate States, 10 The witness T.. u.
Lee, which despatch related TO ana diFec-
led the disposition Of the funds III the
hands of Jacob Thompson, named IN the
testimony of the prosecution, and TO show
that no part of the same was TO be paid,
nor was any in fact paid 10 the prisoner
at the bar or to any one charged in the m
diclmen: in this case as concerned IN the
conspiracy therein alleged, and in point
of fact, what disposition was 10 be made
OF said funds.
%. And tho Government having also
given evidence tending 10 show that the
prisoner was in EImlTs after the l2'h and
before the 18Th of April, 1865, and was
there cooperating with the alleged assas-
sins of BE President, and tie prisoner
having given evidence tending 10 show
tina, he was in point Of fact IN EImra on
the 18Th, 18th, and 10Th Of April, 1865;
he now oilers further 10 prove that on the
l2th day OF April, 1868, 'hen being in
Montreal, lie was specially employed by
the witness l.. G.. Lee, then holding the
commission of brigadier general in the ar
nv of the confederate States, and absent
on sick leaveSin said Montreal. TO visit
Elmira with the view TO ascertain the po-
s,ion and condition of the confederate
prisoners confined al or near sad town OF
Elmira, and 10 make sketches Of the sta.
tons Of The guards and the approaches TO
SAID prison. and also the numbers OF the
army and troops there; that in point OF
fact the prisoner left Montrea! on 'he al
,ernoon of the said l2,h of April to 60 10
Elmira, and was absent until the l7'h day
of April, on which day or the day next
succeeding, he returned 10 Montreal and
made his report, and brought back with
him what purported to be rude sketches
OF The said prison and lis approaches, and
the numbers OF the force, and that he paid
the prisoner his expenses and Tor his SER
vices.
81. That the prisoner al the bar having
left Washington, as given IN evidence by
the prosecution, on the 25lh of March,
1865. reached Richmond, Virginia, on
the 29ih of said month, and on the 3lst
Of March vas charged by Mr.. BENJAMIN,
Secretary of State, as aforesaid, with
despatch for the said witness, F.. G. Lee,
a, Montreal, on the 9Th day Of April,
where he remained until the 18th OF
April.
All Of which evidence and each several
parts is offered, tending 10 show the
whereabouts of the prisoner, and how IN
point of fact, he was occupied from the
25th Of March to the l7ih Of April, and
also 10 show that he did not receive the
money from Jacob Thompson, which it
is pretended by the prosecution he did re-
c5ive.
Mr. PierrepoinI said that there were
several points in the paper TO which he
did not object, and suggested that the wit
ness be placed on the stand.
Judge Fisher remarked that he would
rule on The questions as put
Tie witness Lee resumed the stand
and was asked by Mr.. Bradley-When
Surralt arrived in Montreal did be deliver
despatch to you Did you know what
funds Jacob Thompson had DO you