The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-03-19
THE CHARGE OF PERJUR v AGAINST
GOvERNOR BAKER.

ton against Governor Baker upon acharge OF per
jury. as embraced in an affidavit by Henry Dennis
a freed man. and previously published in this jour-
nal. United States Commissioner shannon pre-
sided in the examination. the prosecution being
conducted by r. L. Shelley, aud the defense by
Messrs. Voorhies, Fellowes, Rozier and Mills. The
governor was himself present, surrounded by his
counsel. The first witness called was Henry Den
mis-, the accuser who gave testimony as follows:
was one of the workuen employed il placing
distractions at the m0stk OF the Atchafalsys, and
was sent there by my master, who read to US az
order fIo ON Judge Baker, calling for hands. The
governor himself was present experimenting the
work, with about dozen other white men, includ-
ing Samuel Carey, Leclair Fuselier and Mr.. Mosey.
After had been working TWO or three weeks, the
guDbosts at Grand Lake began throwing shells,
and then ran sway thinking it was about time TO
get of. since leaving the army have been EN-
ployed on steamboats, and in cotton presses. The
idea of making this charge sgsinst the governor
originated IN my own mind. A coiored boy showed
me the way to Judge shsnnOn's Office Have met
Mr.. Shelley lately at the ward clubs, but d.
not know him well. Wfen the Confederate
gunboat Diana was blown mp in the bayou,
Governor Baker had hand in il, aud said
she ought TO be blown up before letting the
Yankees get her. Have heard Governor Baker
ssy be would do anything he could TO help the
Confederacy. He furnished clothes to the Con-
federate soldiers. The colored people up there
used TO take account OF the Union men. but did
not reckon Judge Baker among them.
= Migeot s,rorn-I reside at Franklin. heard
good many people speaking of distractions placed
IN the Teche-people who came into my coffee
house-but knew nothing about il. | saw Gov
Baker quite frequently. but never had any con-
versations with him. went down 10 the reche
once TO see my brother, who was 10 the Confeder-
ate army, and also TO buy some hogs. All that |
saw that could have been intended for use ia
making obstructons were some brickbats.
Henry Washington slcorR-Reside corner Of
Melpomene and ST. Thomas street; in 1862 lived
on Bayou Teche. know that distractions were
placed in Bayou Tecbe, in The vicinity of Camp
Bissnd. Twas ordered 10 assist lit. belonged
20 Madame Fleetwood. When | went to Camp
Bisland | reported 10 Judge Baker and was or.
deIed by him to report to Alfred Lockey. Judge
Baker had twenty of his men at work. He said
these distinctions were placed there to keep the
id Yankees from coming up the river. lived
eleven miles above Franklin and never heard Of
Judge Baker before going to Camp Bisland. Both
of my young masters we're there. Judge Baker
was experimenting the erection of the works at
the lake and Camp Bs,aad. Judge Baker threat
ened 10 punish me because i had fuss with one
OF the men, whose name did not know. Have
had no conversation with Mr.. Shelley about this
case.
Samuel Cary slooTn-Have resided In Center
vile upward of thirty years, and know Governor
Baker. know distractions were placed in the
Teche, but where or by whom am unable TO tell,
there TO my knowledge. presume that the OBJ.
structions were 10 prevent the United States gun
boats from coming through. | had no converse
ton with Judge Baker on the subject, to my re-
collection. did not see the distractions but
heard that they consisted Of sunken steamboat
and another vessel. Ny residence ia about nine
miles of. did not go there while the distractions
we're being placed; was not there until six months
afterwsid. never assisted, or was present at
the placing of any distractions on the Teche. |
once passed by, while the fort, constructed near
the routh Of the Teche, was being built. claim
TO have been Union man during the war, and
know others who were the same. / had an i'm
preston that Governor Bakers political vie VS. we're
The same as my own. Twas little surprised to see
his course, In view OF his interests being identified
with the South. cannot of course, swear that
Governor Baker was not there, but can swear
hat did not see him there.
John Waller ssc0frl-I have resided in Brashear
City for twenty years; knew nothing about the
Instructions until after the war. have known
jt2yet9qr Baker eighteen years. He owned
n 1850. Do not know what became of her. The
asst time saw her, she was going up the Teche,
q the fall Of '6l. '--
100 yaros Of the distractions in the she and
Jaw them being placed there. Some rs to 100
PEOPLE, mostly freedmen, were engaged. There |
vas one boat, think it was the Archer. The OBJ |
truetions as far as saw consisted of live OAK. |
md did not extend over $50 feet from the bank |
he object was TO prevent the passage of federal
'unboats. was there most Of the time and |
I'd not see Gov. Baker. They commenced on the |
18th of October, 1862. and worked for three or
cur days. Col. solokowski, wa. told, then su-
erintended the work. He was then on the
taft Of Gen. houton. left on the day the WORK |
'as commenced, and was absent twelve hours. |
I'D not see the distinctions finished and did not
ssist, being engaged in moving my property.
'ov. Bakers place was about five miles away.
he boat Il do not exactly remember whether il
Iss the Archer or Gen. Rusk,) came ia on the
oth with two barges laden with live oak They
Iorked at this point only twentyfour hours, and
hen went TO work about mile further up. saw
Tere there. think the same parties were en-
aeed. did not know who owned the steam
oats. There were in all three or four boats in
Re bayou at the time. The Archer, Msjor An.
rey, Darby, remember. | do not recollect see.
Iorning.
j. b. Robbins s,corTs-Haye lived in st. Mary's
srish, and was born there Left there the night
Re gunboats entered the bay. Was not there at
e time the distractions were placed. Re-
overnor Baker and saw him once or twice
bout that time. On returning / went 10
ie Confederate gunboat Cotton, where be-
nged. she lay above the distractions, near |
n. Conveys plantation. Think saw Gov. Baker
D boerd OF her twice before the federal gunboats
sme up. He was talking with the officers. HIS
lace Was sixteen or eighteen miles of. was a
gh private on board the Cotton, aud was in i've
six engagements with her. The governors
sits were previous to the engagements The
'nversation between Judge Baker and the officers
d not seem to- be private. l was 10 the Con.
derste service uniil ater the Cotton was burned.
be governors viits sf%eaEed 10 be only social
les. think be was living in Franklin at tA.t
me. did not hear Of his presenting any piece
ordnance TO any gunboat. / think be was the
'opnetor OF the Archer, and Capt. Stevens com.
snded her; am not positive. The Judge used
y tor transporting lumber, etc.
Nm. l.. Harley, slr0Tz-I reside ia Franklin.
10 UUr born arf roircd there. 1 an thirtaaa or !
urteen miles above the distractions referred to- |
passed by while the work was going on. being |
lied here and there By my duties as sheriff Of |
parish. was first elected sheriff in 1851 and |
cry year thereafter. saw boats at those places |
rowing IN the distractions. saw the General
isk, but not the Archer. think Judge Baker
q sold the latter to q company of spectators
30 were carrying sugar to Vieksburg. was in
e habit OF seeing Gov. Baker daily, but did not
e him at the distinctions. / occasionally had
nyersations with him on the political condition
The country. | recollect his riding no 70
OVID around Beil and Everett pole where |
ited States flag had been hoisted, and inauiripQ
at was the news. Upon being informed that
rtain State had seeded, he looked up aud said.
81 me, II I'D ever consent to fight against
II nag heard Bailey Vinson say, at another {
re, thsthe'd "lke TO catch that white .headeS