Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1885-11-10
laila aaa 9aR an
THE JOHNSON CONSPIRACY.

s HE Ju1NSUN CGtSfthNSt l.
An ex.Ofleer OF the &. A. r.. Tells of
r.Iss Preparations Made for Calling
Out the Veterans TO Put Dow n sec
ond Rebellion.
DR.. w. 4. Collins. OF Fargo, who was
assistant adjotant general OF the q. A.
II. at Washington 1T the time OF the
Johnson conspiracy, has been inter-
viewed relative to the statements con-
tanned in the letter recently written by
Chauncey NJ. Depew, Dr.. Collins was
I'd Washington during che conspiracy of
Andrew johnson, aud had personal cog
nizance of the events which threatened
our county with a crisis. second only to
that OF the rebellion itself. The facts
he relates are known to Generals Logan,
Howard and Emery, the, latter having
been in command. OF the military depart
ment of Washington at the time. DIR.
Collins says.
johnson determined upon Sranton's
ramoyal and the overthrow OF the con-
stitnted authority, and issued an order
10 Gen. Emery TO have certain troops.
then guarding the war and navy depart
mens, removed, and replaced by
others who were known to be more
in sympathy with the pres
ldent's purposes than the one on
guard. The order was issued direct
and Gen. Emery refused to recognize
the same, and being called before the
president to. answer, again refused 10
recognize or obey any order not passing
through the regular military channels.
About this time it was discovered that
an armed raid was contemp lated from
Virginia and Maryland for the capture
Of the departments, and about II O'clock
at night Gen. Logan, then commander
in.ehlef, and Gen. e. G. Chapman,
adiutant. general OF the G. A. r., were
hurriedly summoned to the wal depart
ment, aud about one hour later / receiy-
ed q similar summons and on reaching
the val department, found Gen. Grant
aud oae or more members OF his staff,
Gen. O. o. Howard, Logan and Chip
man, in consultation with the secretary
Of war. was informed of the contem-
plated raid, and the probable neces-s
sity for calling upon the. Grand
Army of the Republic OF Washington,
which then comprised a good or
ganization to aid in repelling any move
ment OF the kind contemplated. Sig
nails and points for rally and arming
were established, and I left the depart
ment about 2 o'clock a M. with author
isy to make The necessary preparations,
and have charge Of q special secret ser
vice 10 ce. Immediately on leaving the
war office. / proceeded to the residence
OF the commander uf the G. A. II. OF
Washington, and: with him to the resi-
dences of officers, i'll turn sending
item out to give the alarm and neces-
sery Instructions to the members. On
returning TO national headquarters OF
the G. A. II which were then on Eff
teeDth street, about ene block from
Wizards hotel q was then assistant adj
1utant general OF the Department., prep
a~rations were entered into Tor receiving
the secret service reports, and notifica-
tion Of the Grand Army at large, through
department officers, of The impending
crisis and possible necessity for the
early call upon the old defenders
to come to the rescue OF the nation.
- aaSe a0bicaS were answered
with promises, amounting in the
aggregate to over one hundred thousand
men, ready to respond on short notice.
Tie secret service force we're sent into
every southern state, and kept active
surveillance of the white house and all
suspected prominent conspirators. Ii
was discovered that meetings of proni.
nent men, either engaged in the con-
spiracy, or in sympathy with the same,
were being frequently held at the resi-
deneea Of prominent men, and that forces
were being organized and equipped in
the immediate neighborhood of Wash.
iugton. One force in Virginia had been
organized and received their equipments
from Washington and Baltimore. This
force was disbanded by the sending OF
two companies of United States troops
under d trusted officer, to the seat Of
organization, and notice conveyed to
other folces OF what the result would be
for any overt act. The president and
leaders became aware of the preparations
going on, and were overwhelmed with
dismayi in fear Of the near approach of
retributiye Justice, liAble to over
take heconspirators, and we'll founded
was this fear, for the first movement of
any organized force of the conspirators
in the Objection OF Washington would
have been aafiss 9 by thousands and
thousands Of the old veterans, rushing
to arms under the guidance OF their old
commander, and the consequences to the
Ronth and conspirators no man can now
predict. The impending crisis was staidl
by the wise and promt action OF Gen.
Grapt, and it is safe to soy that no crI-
sls OF similar proportions was ever
reached III even monarchical forms OF
government, without greater pnbiiclty.
AZ it ever becomes pubic, who some Of
the men We're who entered into the con-
splracy with President johnson, It Will
involve the anne of men who held high
repute, and even high Offices, and furp-
ish history with the names of more than
one Benedict Arnold for the execration
OF the coming generations. OF this con-
spiracy, there exists much of written
unpublished history, which may never
Ind publication for reasons just indicat-
ed, Whatever good there may be in the
publication of any of tile events Connect
ed With tha conspiracy, will be that of
adding further laurals to the crown OF
he greatest military ohieftain OF mod.
ern ages, and make more conspicuous
hls great fidelity to country and honor.
Why Will You Die7
EGOVITI,,S rr