The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1871-05-23
Sergeant BateS.

cerning his march from Vicksburg to
Washington is given as follows
INDIANAPOLIS, IND March 81, 1871.
Editor Raleigh Sentinel:
DEAR SIR: In the report of the Senate
Committee, of March 10, on political
outrages, they assert, in regard to the
Union League at the South, that sits
purposes were publicly avowed, that it
held public meetings and professions, in
which its members appeared and ac-
knowledged their connection with it
that no violence was either directed or,
|countenanced by the League"
Allow me to give you some facts in
relation to the Union League South, in
connection with my tour with the Uni
ted States flag through the late Confed-
eracy. Not wishing to trouble you with
a very long communication, I will be as
brief as possible.
After l had commenced the march
from Vicksburg, and before getting out
of Mississippi, I made the discovery
that was being followed by respect
able and intelligent-looking negro. 1t
would extend this communication too
much to explain how made the discov-
cry that he was a spy and tool of the
Union League, and acting under in
structions from the League in regard to
me-(ie was to do me no harm, but if
my object in going through the South
was what the directors of the League
asserted it to be, / was to be assassina-
ted, unless l would return to my North
ern home when warned to do so)-or
how and why I made him my friend, ,and
arranged with him to take charge of my
baggage, meeting me at such points as
railroad communication would admit of; !;
how he assisted me to attend three Sc
cret meetings of the League in disguise
and at the risk of my life; how on two
occasions, at Warrenton and Augusta,
Georgia, he saved me from serious harm
and perhaps death from the skulking
blood hounds of the League. If this
shall meet the eye Of any of the leading
citizens of Warrenton it will bring to
mind the unusual excitement among the
negroes on the evening of my arrival
in their town, and their openly express
/ ed hostility toward me-a feeling crea-
ted by the false representations of the
leaders of the League, the object being
to excite 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 rest, and how / successfully oppos-
ed their wishes in the matter. But they
were not aware that late in the night af-
ter they had retired to rest, for the pur-
pose of gaining information, I disguis-
ed myself, and. with my trusty friend,
stole quietly from the house and attend
ed a negro meeting, presided over by
two white men, where I heard myself
misrepresented by the whites, ,and round
ly cursed by the negroes.
While in Selma, Alabama, an agent of
| the League called on me and requested
a private interview which l granted
His object in calling was to induce me
to become member of the League. His
arguments and the inducements offered
by him 1 will passover flor the pres,
ent
While stopping at the Europeon Ho-
tel in Montgomery, Alabama, / was one
evening q short time absent from my
room. On returning to it and entering,
l found communication which had
been thrust under the door during my
absence, and it was from the League,
who threatened me with certain death
unless furled my flag and returned to
my home, giving up all further efforts
in my attempt to deceive the people OF
the North in regard to the loyalty of the
red-handed traitors of the South, DC
DC / mentioned the matter TO but one
person-General James Clanton, of
Montgomery-who urged me to accept
of an escort of ex-Confederate soldiers
who would see me and the flag pass
safely through Alabama into Georgia.
refused the escort.
AT Greensboro, N. c., I was offered
ten thousand dollars, which l was to re-
ceive, provided I would stop the march
and 60 home. I was to do it apparent
ly in disgust, and in the interest of the
Republican party. The offer was made
by w. w. Holden of your State. AL
though poor man, nevertheless neither
myself nor the flag l carried was for
sale. On my way through North Caro-
lima, was informed by numbers Of the
League that the organization in that
State was already powerful, and was
growing more so at rapid rate; that
Governor Holden was at the head of the
League, and that they were guided in
all political matters by him.
The above are only few of the facts
of the kind. The same Union League
of which the Senate committee said "No
violence was either directed or counte-
nanced by them," made four attempts
to bribe me and three times threatened
me with death, while on my way with a
Union flag from Vicksburg to Washing
ton, it being well known that was in
the interest of no party, my only object
being to prove that the people of the
North and South could and should be
united in the bonds of friendly union.
Allow me to say that am opposed to
all secret political organizations of what
ever character, for l believe them un-
necessary and a public evil. / would
also say that can give you further i'm
portant information in regard tc such
organization, asserting nothing but what
I can prove, and, if acceptable, will do
so willingly, simply from the fact that
/ believe it duty / owe to the public
to give publicity to information of the
above character, which l am possessed
Of Very Respectfully,
SERGEANT G. II. BATES.
Rules for Poultry Raising.
/. Give them range enough Allow