Year: 1862

nected with such Developments.


recent act of Congress made il the duty of
the Grand Jury to inquire into any combinations
or conspiracies formed by individuals within the
jurisdiction OF the court to prevent the execution
of any law of the United States. Having heard
that organizations with this object in view exist
ed in certain localities, witnesses were sent for
and brought before the Grand Jury. These wit
nesses came from many counties, and lived in
various parts of the State. After careful and
diligent examination of the testimony from wit
nesSes well acquainted with the facts deposed,
and harinq personal knowledge of the matters,
said Grand Jury constrained to say that
cret and oath bound organization exists, number
ing some fifteen thousand in Indiana, as esti-
mated by tie members of their order, commonly
known KNIGHTS of the Golden Circle, and even
in the same localities by different names. Their
lodges, or Castles" as they denominate them
located in various parts of the State, yet they
have common signs, grips, and words whereby
the members are able TO distinguish each other,
and passwords TO enable the member to enter the
castle in which he initiated. any other
which such member may choose to visit. They
have signals by which they can commu-
nicate with each other in the day, or the
night time, and above all they have signal
or sign which may be recognized at a
great distance from the person giving it. This
last signal, regret to say, was invented for the
use of such members as should, by means of the
draft or otherwise, be compelled to serre in the
ranks Of the army. In such case members of the
order serving in opposing armies receiving the
sign reminded of their obligation not to injure
the member gicing it, This signal is given in every
instance upon the initiation of a new member
and its observance is strictly cnjoined upon every
individual belonging to the order. By the teach
ings of the organization it is the uuty ofts mem
bers engaged in the present war, although ar
rayed on opposite sides, upon the signal being
given if they shoot at all, "f0 shoot 0Uer each
other" Many members of the order examined
before US admit the binding force of the obligation
and pretend 70 justify as correct in pTiHci
pie.


Said Grand Jury would respectfully submit
that the effect of such obligation is to set aside
the oath taken by every soldier when he enters
the service of the United States. The obligation
imposed by the organization alluded to is incon-
sIstent with the duties of soldier who in battle
dare not spare the person OF his enemy. We
must either disarm destroy him, aud especially
lOneiis the rebel may be seeking to take the life
of the loyal soldier. To do otherwise, would be
grossly treacherous, and Justly subject the guilty
party to a traitors doom.


From the evidence introduced before said
Grand Jury, it would seem that the order called
the Knights of the Golden Circle had their origin
in some of the Southern, States, and was intro
duced into this State from Kentucky. Its prima-
ry object when il originated, was to organize the
friends of the institution Of African slavery in the
United States. for the purpose of acquiring more
territory IN Mexico and the Central American
States, and also the acquisition of Cuba, thereby
to extend and foster great slave empire, even
though it should dye those countries in human
blood. Hence the various raids made upon those
countries which have called forth from time to
time the procla amatiOns of our former Presidents,
denouncing such attempts and threatening the ex
ercise of the power of the Government to put them
down. Wicked as these hellish schemes were said
Grand Jury would not have troubled this Honor
able Court with this presentment had the machi-
nations of the knights of the Golden Circle been
confined solely to their original designs. Find
ing how useful such organization was for the
purposes originally intended, said Grand Ju-
ry believe that it not only extends at present
through every part of the South, and every
department of the rebel army, but during the
last winter and spring was introduced into the
State of Indiana and other Northern States.
Since that time it has made alarming progress in
midst, with entirely new features attached to
1t in view of the unnatural conflict now desola-
ting our country. Not only are the loyal soldiers
in the army 10 be treacherOusIy betrayed in the
bloody hour of battle, by the signals before re
ferred to, but said Grand Jury have abundant ev-
idence of the membership binding themselves to
resist the payment Of the Federal tar and preuent
eniiStmcntS in the armies of the United States.


1t is fact worthy or note, and conclusivey
shown, that in localities where this organization
extensively prevails, there has been failure to
furnish fair proportion of volunteers. Said
Grand Jury, alter thorough examination on that
point, have been unable to find any instance
tohere member Of said organization had rOlun
teered to fight for the Union under the late requi-
siton for volunteers. Said Grand Jury we're in
formed that an individual OF the Order had pro-
posed to make up a company to be called "Jay-
hawkers," composed exclusively of knights OF
the Golden Circle" But said Grand Jury be-
lieve that at time was the proposition seriously
entertained, but in fact only intended a cover
to hide their reasonable purposes when they
found they we're about to be discovered


The meetings of the Order referred to are
holden in by places sometimes in the woods, and
at other times in deserted houses. Its members
frequently attend Uith arms in their hands and in
almost every instance, armed SentineLs posted
10 keep off intruders Youths not more than six
teen years OF age are in many cases introduced
and initiated into its mysteries The credulous
and unwary are often aIured into the fold of the
Order, upon the pretext that it was instituted for
no other purpose than the better organization Of
their party. Its real character and teachingssre
sedulously concealed until the oath of secresy has





the first degree, the initiate is famiarized with
the obligations and opinions of his associates and
is gradually prepared for the second degree
When he is further taught and found apt to learn,
and ready to adopt its principles and teachings,
he is obligated in the highest degree, and is turn
ed out upon the country thorough traitor, with
the wicked purposes already specified. Said
Grand Jury are happy to know that in many
cases individuals after their first introduction into
fha n.a4ar ffca hr. nh
dORed IL, although unwilling, on account of Their
obligations of secresy, and for fear of personal
violence, reluctant to fully expose its treacher
Gus principles.


Since said Grand Jury began said investigation
it has been discovered that the order eriss aBons
the prisoners Of icar no,r in Camp Morton, toht
refuse TO testify, upon The ground that IL may nm
plicgts the members Of hsir order in Indiana, anG
thereby injUre The cause of the Southern Couted
erGcB


For the purpose of evading any legal liability
in case of judicial investigation, it appears tha
their signs are to be used to enable them 10 qe
members Of their order on The jury, in case o.
criminal charges being preferred against them
and by changes of venue, and appeals from
Judge who does not belong to the order, to ere
ate judicial delays. until they can End Judg,
or juror belonging to this order, and thus escape
all legal liability


Said Grand Jury have no doubt that the orde
of the "Knghts Of the Golden Circle" exists II
many localities in Indiana where their vigilanc,
has not been able to penetrate. They have la
bored under many difficulties in their researches
and have dr0lcn euidenes ia most of the case,
from unrilling ritnssses Judicial oaths bav,
but little binding force where individuals ono,
consent to abandon the allegiance they owe thei
country. The general facts. however, so far a
they have come to the knowledge of the salt
Grand Jury, have been submitted to this honor
able Court. They fee it their dut- t
do So The safety Of the country IL thi