Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1871-04-21
THE LEAGUE" AND THE FLAG y.
Offer of $40. 900 II the sergean
Will Abandon the March In ''Disgust"


Will Abandon the march In ''Disgust'
BRIBER YAND THREAT rs OF AkSA SSINA-
IION.
INDIANAPOLIS, IND March 81, 1871.
Editors Sentinel:-
DEAR SIRs: In the report of the Sen.
ate Committee, of March 10th, on politi-
cal outrages, they assert, in regard to the
Union League at the South, that ''its pur-
poses were publicly avowed, that it held
public meetings and professions, in which
its members appeared and acknowledged
their connection with it; that no uiolenca
1cdS either dFected or cOunten01lced by the
League"
Allow me to give you some facts in re-
gard to the Union League South, in CON
nection with my tour with the United
States flag through the Late Confederacy
Not wishing to trouble you with very long
communication, will be AS brief as Dos
sibc
After had commenced the march from
Vicksburg, and before getting out of Mis-
slssipli, l made the discovery that I was
being followed by respectable and in
telligent looking negro. 1t would extend
this comm unicatiOn too much to explain
how made the discovery that he was a
spy and tool of the Union League and was
to follow and act under instructions from
tic League IN regard to me--(he was to
do me no harm, but if my object in going
through The South was what the directors
Of the Lee ,uc asserted it to be, was to
be assassinated, unless l would return to
my northern home when earned to do SOL
Or how and tcAy made him my friend and
arranged with him to take charge of my
baggage, meeting me at such points as
railrC ad com munication would admit Of
how he assisted me to attend three secret
meetings OF the League in disguise and at
the risk OF my lie how, on two Ccca9iOns
at WarrentOn and Augusta, Ca, he saved
me from serious harm and perhaps death
from the shulhing 6Ioodhomeds Of the
League. Ii this shall meet the eye Cf any
OF the leading citizens of Narrenton 1t
will bring to mind the unusual excitement
among the negroes Oh the evening OF nv
arrival In their town, and their openly ex-
pressed hostility towards me-a feeling
created by the false representa- tions Of the
leaders OF the League, the object being to
exotic the negroes to mob me. some of
the citizens will also bring to mind how
strongly they urged me to allow them TO
guard my hotel during the night for the
protection of myself and the flag, and how
L successfully opposed their wishes in the
matter. Bot they were not aware that
late in the night after they had retired to |
ton, J. disguised myself and, with my
trusty friend, stole quietly from the house |
and attended negro meeting, presided |
over by two white men, where I heard |
myself mierepresented by the whites and |
roundly cursed by the negroes.
While in Selma, Ala, an agent Of the |
League called on me and requested n pri-
vate interview, which I granted. His Oh
iect in calling me was to induce me to be-
come member Of the League. His ara \
gument and the Inducements offered by
him will pass over (for the presently
While STOPPING at the European Hotel,
in Montgomery, Ala, [ was one evening Il
short time absent from my room on re-
farming TO it and entering. [ found Il com
munication which had been thrust under
he door during my absence, and it was
from the League, who ''threatened me
with certain death unless furled my flag
md returned to my home, giving up all
prthel efforts in my attempt to deceive
he people of the North in regard to tho
oyalty of tine red handed traitors CT the
south, &C., &c. 1 mentioned the matter
10 but one person-General James Clan
ON, OF Montgomery, who urged me 10
Iccept Of an escort OF eX-Confederate SOL
iiers, who would see me and the flag pass
afely through Alabama into Georgia. I
efused the escort
At Greensboro, N. c., was offered ten
thousand dollars, which I was to receive
provided would stop the march and go
lome. l was to do SO apparently in dis
,ust, and in the interest of the Republi-
an party. The offer came from Governor
Holden of your State. Although O poor
nan, nevertheless neither myself nor the
lag carried was for sale. On my way
through North Carolina 1 was informed by
numbers Of the League that the organiza-
ion in that State was already powerful,
nd was growing more SO at rapid rate;
hat Gov. Holden was at the head of the
league. and that they were guided in all
olitical matters by him.
The above are only a few facts of the
ind. That same Union League of which
he Senate committee said "No violence
7as either directed or countenanced by
hem, made four attempts to bride me
nd three times threatened me with death
lille on my way with United States flag
rom Vicksburg to Washington, it being
'ell known that [ was in the interest of no
arty, my only object being to prove that
be people of the North and South could
nd should be united in the bonds of
ciendly union. Allow me to say that I
m opposed to all secret political organi
atoms OF whatever character, for l be- :
eve them unnecessary and public evil. q,
would also say that [ can give you fur !
her and more important Information in !
egard to such Organizations, asserting
othing but what can prove, and, if &C !
eptable, will do 50 willingly, simply from ,
ne fact that believe it duty [ owe to =,
1e public to give publicity to information b,
the above character which am posses !
ed of.
Very respectfully,
SERar. G. II. BATES.
Hit Hard,