The great treason plot in the North during the war ...

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Preface

Bv repeated requests of Posts of the Grand Army of the RepubHc, and of other patriotic citizens throughout the Union, the eloquent and memorable address of Col. I. Wi4islow Aycr is now presented to the general public, as a hitherto unwritten chapter of startling revelations, an entirely new link in the war history of our country, which cannot fail to deeply interest every American citizen who may carefully peruse it.

Not only is the subject matter of the address given, but very many additional new, startling and intensely interesting facts have been introduced — most important information, not elsewhere accessible to the general public — in order to convey a connected, complete, comprehensive and authentic history of the diabolical, unprecedented and extensive Treason Plot.

From the work, lessons of gravest importance may be gleaned — matters well deserving the most thoughtful consideration, of all citizens, as relating to the exigencies of the present hour, as well as of years gone by.

Col. Ayer is the oxxy man who can from personal knowledge, as an oiiicer and eye-witness, portray the terrible plot in all its; details. It is doubtless generally iv THE GREAT TREASON PLOT

known that through his invaluable, and ^Derilous services, the City of Chicago was saved from pillage and destruction, and the military authorities in Camp Douglas and prominent loyal citizens of Chicago were saved from inevitable slaughter. By his noble patriotism, courage, vigilance and tact, and the expenditure of his private fortune, the great Conspiracy, in all its enormity, was effectually and fully broken up. The hydra-headed conspiracy, so terrible in its designs, so wide-spread in extent, had been crushed out In its incipiency, so was it confidently believed by the military authorities, but only to quickly reaj^pear under another guise, more deadly in design and more formidable in power, than before. By Col. Ayer's investigation, zeal and heroism, the work was carried to a successful and final close. Arrests of the most dangerous leaders of the conspirators were made owXy forty -eight hours before the time fixed for the general uprising of the sworn, secret enemies of the Union! Immense quantities of munitions of war, and arms of all kinds wei^e seized in the Conspirators' places of concealment.

The North had promptly responded to the last call for " three hundred thousand more" for the front, when half a million of leagued, oath-bound and armed Conspirators but waited the order to march to the support of the fast falling cause, to aid in the overthrow of the Union and the downfall of American liberty!

As we wonder at and admire the daring of Col. Ayer, it may almost seem that he had a " charmed life"

DURING THE WAR. v

for no less than three known, desperate ancrdetermined attempts were made to assassinate him, but their bullets and their infernal machines were utterly powerless to swerve him in the least from his purpose to serve his Countr}^ It has been said of him by a distinguished General, that " he fought single handed, and defeated a mighty army of the secret foes of our country."

From Major General Joseph Hooker, Commanding THE Northern Department.

Headquarters Northern Department:

Chicago, May 3, 1S65.

Col. I. WiNSLow Ayer, »,

Dear Sir: I have the pleasure as it is my duty to express to 3'ou in behalf of myself and our country, my sincere thanks for the very great service you have rendered the Government. It was you who first a^Dprised the authorities of the existence of the formidable plots, which but for your timely discovery would have been attended with great disaster to the general government, and would have resulted in the destruction of Chicago. It is not easy to calculate the evils which would have resulted in the culmination of the plots of our secret enemy. Your dispatches were of immense importance to the Government. I cheerfully acknowledge your promptness in furnishing reports to the Brig. General commanding the District of Illinois, and the commandant of the Post at Chicago, and your co-operation w^ith that ofiicer in viii THE GREAT TREASON PLOT

Two million dollars captured from the Union Army disbursed for the purchase of arms and munitions of war, in the States voted out of the Union.

Names of prominent leaders present.

Whisky, Treason, and Gunpowder.

Character of the members of the Convention.

Inside views of the Temples of Treason.

A night scene in the Cartridge factory of the Conspirators.

Treasonable Orders with as many aliases as a State's Prison convict.

Plot to release simultaneously all prisoners of war in Northern Prisons.

Strongest Centers of the Conspiracy in the several States.

Conspirators as Clerks of Provost Marshals, Telegraph Operators, Trusted Officials, and employes upon all Railways in Chicago and certain other cities.

Also as volunteer members of Union Armies, the better to steal horses, arms, and have the benefit of military drill.

Their Plot for breaking up Union Military Companies.

Conduct of disloyal Judges in Indiana.

Conspirators in Union Armies ordered to turn their arms a^-ainst their fellow soldiers, instead of the enemy.

DURING THE WAR. ix

Attempts to burn New York. Execution of Capt. Kennedy, the incendiaiy.

The treasonable Order organized to resist Drafts in the Western States, in New York and elsewhere.

Draft Riot in New York — bin-ning of the Colored Orphan Asylum — Three Days' Reign of Terror.

An Atrocious Plot between Conspirators and Guerrilla bands.

Preparation of Greek Fire for the destruction of Union property.

Cold blooded Assassination of Union vSoldiers and Citizens in Charleston, Illinois, and other places in Illinois and Indiana.

A proposed general armed uprising of Conspirators by co-operation with and support of the Public enemy.

Proposed attack upon Chicago, with steam tugs mounted with cannon.

A similar course to be taken in Missouri.

Treason Trials in Indiana.

Greek Fire Shells, Hand Grenades, Rockets and Infernal Machines made in Indianapolis.

Why the pro^DOsed Revolution in Indiana failed.

Deeds and designs of Indiana Conspirators.

Indiana to have been a " Second South Carolina."

Three leading Conspirators in Indiana sentenced to the gallows.

Supposed final suppression of ihie terrible plot.

X THE GREAT TREASON PLOT

Popular feeling of security fully restored.

" Knights of the Golden Circle " had ceased to exist as an organization;*' American Knights" had also been crushed out — no apparent cause for further alarm.

Address of "Grand Commander" H. H. Dodd of Indiana.

The Conspirators moie active, virulent and dangerous than ever before.

Change of name to " Sons of Liberty." Change of base to Chicago— Unsuspected by authorities or people.

Three degrees of the Order S. O. L.

Extraordinary precautions against exposure.

Whole regiments of armed and drilled conspirators in Chicago, and 140,000 members, armed, drilled and ready, in Illinois, to say nothing of other vStates.

Complete Plot to simultaneously liberate all prisoners of war — nearly forty thousand — in Northern prisons, beginning with the destruction of Chicago and slaughter of every otiicer and soldier in Camp Douglas.

But five hundred Union soldiers, the guard of thirteen thousand prisoners, including Morgan's men.

No protection nor defense for the city of Chicago.

Details of the Carnival of Death.

The Black Flag! Slaughter of Union Soldiers and Citizens.

Horrors of the first French Revolution to be re-enacted in Chicago.

DURING THE WAR. xi

Preparing dispatches for Washington.

Plot to assassinate Gov. Morton of Indiana — Bloody work for the " Committee of Ten."

Time fixed for the general uprising.

The People of Chicago apprehend no danger from a secret foe.

Brisk trade in firearms and knives.

The Conspirators fully armed and thoroughly drilled.

Conspirators come to Chicago by thousands.

The dawn of August 2S, 1S64.

The Order harangued by a Judge, inciting murder.

Bloodthirsty mobs in the streets of Chicago.

Fifty thousand dollars for inciting the assassination of President Lincoln.

Tlie murderous purpose known in Washington six months prior to the perpetration of the deed.

Doomed cities in the North.

The ballot, bullet, and "butternut" machiner}^

John Morgan and his men.

Mary Ann Pitman, as the daring "Lieut. Rawley " of Forest's Command.

Piracy on Lake Erie.

Attempt to capture the U. S. War .Steamer, " Michigan," guarding Johnson's Island.

Thrilling details of the plot.

Banquet given on board the "Michigan'' by a leading Conspirator.

xii THE GREAT TREASON PLOT

Tribute to be levied on all Lake Cities.

Timely notice to the authorities.

The Conspirator arrested at the table.

Seizure of the steamers, " Philo Parsons" and " Island Queen " l)y the Pirates.

Execution of Capt. Beal, Commander of the expedition.

A rebel officer and leading Conspirator heading a torch light procession in Chicago, in which were three regiments " Sons of Liberty."

Why the uprising did not then occur.

Date again fixed for the general uprising.

The treasonable Order all ov^er the North, in concert of action.

Concealment of boxes of fire arms and ammunition in every ward in the city of Chicago.

Arms and various weapons stored near Windsor, Canada.

An invading force of rufiians from Canada, in Chicago, to share in the slaughter of loyal people, and plunder of the banks.

Visit of Reconnaissance to Camp Douglas by the " Brig. Gen." of the Order.

Definite designs for the liberation of all prisoners of war in Northern Posts.

Rescue of a boy Captain of a rebel company, recruited in Chicago.

DURING THE WAR. xiii

Last session of the Council of Conspirators in Chicago.

Sabbath evening, Nov. 6, 1864, in " Invincible Club Hall.'' A scene never to be forgotten.

Revolution to be begun \n\\.\\\^ forty -eight hours.

Gathering of a horde of Conspirators in the heart of the city.

Desperadoes who had visited the city in August.

Ruin, destruction and death seemingly inevitable.

Distribution of loaded fire arms on the streets of Chicago, to the ruffians of the Order.

Red and white ribbon, the distinguishing badge of the Conspirators.

Fires to be kindled in various parts of the city, to cover the attack upon the Camp.

The thirteen thousand prisoners in Camp apprised of the design by rockets, and by the "Woman who carried the mail."

The time for action had arrived.

Night calls of Union Soldiers upon the Conspirators.

An exciting scene. Arrest of the leading spirits of the Order.

Ruffians, murderers, and high toned scoundrels.-

Many *' taken up tenderly, lifted with care."

Seizui-e of munitions of war, boxes of loaded guns and cartloads of revolvers — weapons enough to stock an arsenal.

A telegram of consternation to Conspirators in all places.

xiv THE GREAT TREASON PLOT.

The treasonable Orders fully, effectually and finally broken up.

All haste for Canada.

A grimly humorous side.

Several known attempts to assassinate Col. Ayer.

Partisan rancor in the North during the war.

Treason in Public debates.

Buildings made notable by assassins.

Cowardice and hypocrisy of the leaders.

Arrest, Trial, Sentence, Exile and Return of " Supreme Commander," Clement L. Vallandigham.

Lessons for thinking people.

Official report of the Judge Advocate General U. S.

The Great Treason Plot in the North, largely the work of foreigners.

St. Albans Raid.

Assassination in this Country and in Europe.

Brilliant Paragraphs of Patriotic Sentiment.

The Race Problem in this Country.

Are the Americans true to themselves ?

The Golden Age of America.

The Grand Army of the Republic.

The Lieut. General of U. S.

Sketch of the distinguished services of Gen. Franz

Sigel.

Tribute to the Nation's honored dead.

Woman's Relief Corps.

DURING THE WAR. xv

Sons and Daughters of Veterns.

The fatal Nineteenth of September.

The Chickamauga National Mihtary Park.

"Fighting Joe." Sketch of the mihtary record of Major General Joseph Hooker.

Strength and Losses of the Union Army during the war.

The Subject of the Services of Col. I. VVinslow Ayer, before United States Congress.

DURING THE WAR. xvii

ILLUSTRATIONS

Portrait of the Author.

Depot of Prisoners of War, Johnson's Island, Ohio. Chicago Conspirators before the Military Commission.

Portrait of Col. G. St. Leger Grenfell, hero of the Black Flag.

Portrait of "Brig. Gen." Charles Walsh, Commanding the Conspirators in Chicago.

Portrait of Judge Buckner S. Morris, Grand Seignior of mini Temple, Chicago.

Portrait of the Woman who carried the Mail to and from the prisoners of war in Camp Douglas.

Portrait of Horace Heffren, Deputy Grand Commander of Conspirators, in Indiana, arraigned for treason.

Andrew Humphreys "Colonel" of Conspirators in Indiana, arraigned for treason.

Col. William A. Bowles ) Convicted of Treason Col. Lambdin P. Milligan I and Sentenced to the Col. Stephen Horsey ) gallows.

xviii THE GREAT TREASON PLOT

Full length picture of "Grand Commander" H. H. Dodd in his "grand" slack-rope performance. ["As the hour for daring deeds had come," the "Grand Commander" had not time to sit for his picture, and it was taken a la spider on the run.]

Lieut. Rawley (a woman) of Forest's Command.

Lieut. General John M. Schofield, U. S. Army (with sketch.)

Gen. H. L. Burnett, Judge Advocate, Department of the Ohio and Northern Department, who tried the assassins of President Lincoln and the leading conspirators.

Maj. General Franz Sigel (with sketch).

Thos. G. Lawler, Commander-in-Chief, G. A. R.

Portrait of Gov. Morton, Indiana.

Portrait of Gov. Yates, Illinois.

Portrait of Gov. Blair, Micliigan.

Old Camp Morton near Indianapolis.

Old Camp Douglas near Chicago.

Ford's Theater where President Lincoln was shot.

House where President Lincoln died.

The Old Surratt House where Booth's Assassination Plot was devised.

The Old Seward Mansion where Secretary Seward was stabbed by the Conspirator "Payne," and where Hon. J. G. Blaine died.

Portrait of Emma R. Wallace, Nat. President, Woman's Relief Corps.

DURING THE WAR. xix

Portrait of Jennie Bross, Nat. Secretary Woman's of tiie Relief Corps.

Mrs. Sarah C. Mink, Past Nat. President, W. R. C. Old Military Camp and Prison at Rock Island, Ills. Portrait of Major General Joseph Hooker. Portrait of Col. B. J. Sweet, Commander of Camp Camp Chase near Columbus, Ohio.

Infernal Machines, Shells, for Greek fire, etc.

EXPLANATION OF THE LATTER.

A— An ordinary traveling satchel, open; shows an alarm clock without bell; set at a a given time; on starting into motion it springs the lock of a gun which explodes a cap upon a tube charged with gun powder; this fires a train connected with a vial of Greek fire, and ignites tow saturated with turpentine.

B— A case containing powder with nipple at top for cap.

D C— Screws into D; the space between being filled with Greelf fire.

C and D— Form an internal shell loosely fitting the conical shell B. Striking a hard object, the blow explodes the cap of O.

E-A spherical shell or hand grenade.

F and G— The same unscrewed.

H— An interior shell with nine nipples for caps, loosely fitting, leaving space for concussion. H unscrews in the center to hold K, a small vial of Greek fire, the space between filled with powder. Dropping the shell, even a few inches above the lloor, never fails to explode a cap. The cord attached to the shell E enables a person to throw it a great distance.

To ALL Posts of the Grand Army of the Republic, the Woman's Reliep^ Corps, and

To all who in any wise responded to the call of our Country by services, material aid, or by sympathy, in the dark days of the rebellion and a patriotic people throughout our glorious union, this scrap of war history is affectionately dedicated by the author. Our Country Forever,

Fraternally Yours,

I. WiNSLOw Ayer.

THE AUTHOR.

Chapter I

Secret Treasonable Orders— "Knights of the Golden Circle"— A more dangerous Order— The Serpent casts his Skin— The old enemy

UNDER A NEW NAME-«SoNS OF LiBERTY "— ItS

DEGREES, "Temple," "Grand Council," and "Supreme Council "—Material of which the Order was composed— A large Army of Conspirators-Half million oath-bound traitors, armed with guns, rifles, revolvers

I.ANCES AND GrEEK-FIRE-ThE ORGANIZATION COMPLETELY OFFICERED AND THOROUGHLY

DRILLED— Strength of the Order and names

OF THE LEADERS IN DIFFERENT StATES— ThE

" Supreme Commander " of the Order in the United States-Clement L. Vallandigham

arraigned FOR TREASON, CONVICTED AND SENT BEYOND OUR MILITARY LINES— HiS COOL RECEP

TioN IN "Dixie "—His residence and "court"

IN Canada— What would have occurred had

HE BEEN ARRESTED UPON HIS RETURN TO OhIO—

Concealed arms near Windsor-^Munitions OF WAR and Infernal machines made in Indianapolis— A scheme to steal horses, arms

AND EQUIPMENTS BY ENLISTMENT IN THE ARMY. ;

For three decades the bright verdure of Sprhig, the l)eaiiteous flowers of Summer, the somber shades of Autumn and the ice gems of Winter have come and gone since the war closed,— since a grateful and patriotic people all over the land, sang together anthems of joy and thanksgiving for the return of peace. The great conflict to the people of the present day, save to The actors in the thrilling drama, is but the memory of an oft told tale.

In the years since gone by, " Time's effacing fingers " have obliterated the traces of warfare in the land. Golden gram now waves, and laughing flowerets bloom in fields once reddened with the life-blood of the brave. Sectional differences are happily settled for all time, and a brotherhood of patriotic men all over our broad domain join in their devotion for our glorious countryone and indivisible forever.

Of the brave foemen who met us upon the open field of battle, to arbitrate differences by the last recourse to which men can appeal, the historic page presents the record of their valor as well as of the glorious triumphs of the Union arms; but the history of that eventful period will not be complete till the thrilling records of the Secret Service shall have place upon its pages. As an ofiicer of our country during the darkest days of the

Republic, I am thoroughly conversant, by personal experience and observation, with the stirring events of the times, and will give an unwritten chapter of our nation's history, — of startling revelations concerning the great conspiracy in the North during the war — the greatest, most perfidious and fiendish plot ever recorded in the annals of nations.

Had our brave soldiers known when at the front all the facts relating to the miscreants and assassins who killed their comrades and menaced their wives and children, who lurked in our Northern cities and villages, seeking to ruin the Countrj', to paralyze our army, it would have blanched the faces of those men and startled them with horror. To|have proclaimed to the public that a scheme had been concocted by our secret enemies, of so formidable a character, so insidious and deadly in its operations, so complete in its details, and so extensive in its scope, as that of which I shall speak, — that it had found favor and support in nearly all the cities and large villages of Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Kentucky and sections of New York, Ohio, Iowa and certain other states — that scarcely a village in some of the states was exempt from its corruption, — that it included in its ranks as great a number of traitors, in the aggregate, as the number of men in the armies of Grant and Sherman, and that all who were so leagued recognized one common cause — the destruction of our country, the defeat and humiliation of our arms and the triumph of rebellion, it would have been deemed a delusion by the majority of the people, had not the developments before the military tribunals of the land established the facts beyond the shadow of a doubt.

Had not the conspirators been foiled at an opportune moment, their designs would have been executed in every particular, and in view of the then existing- conditions, it is scarcely possible to overestimate the disastrous consequences to the cause of the Union. Not only will the public be astounded by the facts I shall present, but will realize, as never before, the imminent peril of the country and the greatness and importance of the services rendered by the nation's defenders.

In the early years of the w;n-, it became evident to the people that secret treasonable organizations of a most dangerous character were in existence; their fruits were easily recognized. Our soldiers in the army were often importuned b}- letters to desert their posts and to betray their flag; soldiers visiting their homes upon furloughs were in several known instances murdered; dwellings of Union soldiers' families werebuinedby incendiaries; drafts of the Goveinment were resisted and Congressmen were approached with treasonable proposals. But these are comparatively minor offences which these men are known to have perpetrated; my indictment will include more heinous crimes.

Why not let by-gones be forgotten? The [)arties arraigned will lose votes and ofbce and caste by such reminiscences. They will not kill anv more Presidents, nor any more Union soldiers, perhaps! I am glad to believe that, and will assume my army comrades and all my countrymen will be also. The lapse of lime does not change guilt to innocence; it does not change murder into innocent pastime, nor treason into patriotism! Civilization can iind no a[)ology for such guilt and depravity.

What branch of the Military service is it that trains men to stab and shoot and kill in secret, their fellow citizens and neighbors, — to pillage and bum their homes? I know no name for this other than assassination, brigandage, incendiarism! These are not, nev^er were and never will be recognized as legitimate warfare by any civilized race, and least of all by Americans. Such crimes are and ever will be held in abhorrence by all good people throughout the world. While I would not incite animosity towards individuals, I would not seek to make respectable that which all good people everywhere hold in abhorrence; nor would I condone blackest guilt because of formidable numbers of the guilty.

There are many, and some in high places, who perfer to let by-gones be forgotten; so there are better men, though felons in the States' prisons who prefer the same thing. It is from truthful history of the past, that nations as well as individuals may glean lessons of wisdoni for the future.

Paris in 1789 was not more disturbed by plots against the Government, than was New York, Chicago, St. Louis, Indianapolis and certain other cities of the Union in 1862-3-4 ^^y Secret treasonable organizations. A brief sketch of the origin and purposes of the "Orders " will be essential for a complete understanding of the startling details to be presented.

Prior to the breaking out of the rebellion in 1S61, secret organizations, the most effective agencies in the conspiracy against the Union, had not been introduced to any great extent into the non-slaveholding States, and perhaps had no existence north of the compromise line of 1S20 known as Mason and Dixon's Hne, but south of this line, they had long been standing institutions in every city and populous district. On the 17th of April, 1861, the report of the gun fired upon Fort Sumpter was heard by every member of these secret conclaves in the South, and was the signal for the opening of every "temple" of the order " K. G. C." in the land. Knowing the potency and efficacy of such agencies at the South, the plan of secretl}' organizing traitors in the northern States was determined upon as early as 1S63. With these views, shrewd and sagacious men established themselves in that year, in Missouri, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois and certain other States, and put the machinery in motion. The order of " Knights of the Golden Circle," an old southern institution, started on its mission northward, and the work was vigorously begun in the border States. This plan was a success. It gradually spread, until it was firmly rooted in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Ohio, New York and parts of other States, and this within a few months of its introduction in the North.

The Order was well adapted for the purpose for which it was organized — the inculcation of treason. Men of every station in life, united with the Order, and soon it could boast of its membership as including legislators, judges even of the higher courts, doctors, lawyers, merchants and indeed men from every avocation. While the leaders were cunning, many of them of high intellect and liberal education, the " rank and file " was composed of different material. It not being necessary by the tenets of the Order, that the latter should think at all, brains were at a disconnt, — muscle only was required—beings who would fall into line at the word of command, and follow on to any undertaking, however desjDerate and criminal, without a thought concerning the character of the object to be attained — beings who could be led or driven wherever and whenever it might suit the purpose or designs of their masters.

Men from the lowest walks of life were preferred, as material for tlie order. In the primary organization social distinction was waived by the leaders, and the lowest wretch in the order was placed upon a level with judges, merchants and politicians, — wnthin the hall of meeting, — thus offering inducements potent enough to make the lodge room a place of interest and attraction to the lower strata of the organization. So thrived and flourished the "Knights of the Golden Circle" in the North. The least of its evils was the destruction by Greek Fire of United States transports on the Ohio — notably the steamer " Taylor " at Louisville, and steamers laden with Government stores, on the Mississippi, etc. Being insufficient in {)owers of evil to fullv execute the base purposes of the leaders, the organization was short lived in the north, but not so the elements of which it was composed. The suspicion of the Government had been aroused by the movements of the order, but the change of its name and the most careful precautions upon the part of the leaders, cjuleted such distrust. The order of " American Kni^rhts " was at once organized, and members of the " K. G. C." were inducted; in other words the serpent had cast its skin but was the same old serpent still. The old order with its new name adopted an entirely new feature — one of Military character, retaining still its incendiary powers and purposes.

By the formation of degrees in the new Order, the leaders were able to give to each candidate in quest of its hidden mysteries^ a comfortable and genial sphere in which he could qualify himself for higher honors! By this ingenious plan, he would soon be competent to advance into full fellowship with its most diabolical designs! A glance at this organization, will show the shrewdness of the master spirits of evil in the formation of the order. It was composed of three degrees, viz: First, The Temple; Second, the Grand Council; and the Third, Supreme Council.

The Temple degree, in some respects, resembled a County organization, and had a similar relation to the Grand Council, that the County does to the State. No person could become a member of the Grand Council who had not first been inducted into the Temple and elected to the "Grand Council." This body bore a similar relation to the " Supreme Council" that a State bears to the General Government. Sessions of the Grand Council were held almost every month during the years 1863-4. No considerable battle was fought that was not made an occasion for the assembling: of this Council, and no political event of any importance transpired that did not receive the deliberation of this de facto legislative body.

The "Supreme Council," or third and highest degree, was formed after the pattern of the general Govern-

30 THE GKEAT TREASON PLOT

ment at Washington. The strength and significance of the Order was its Military character. The constitution of the Supreme Council provided that the Supreme Commander — the chief officer of that body^, should be Commander-in-chief of all the military forces of the Order in the several States when called into actual service. Subordinate to the Grand Commander in a State, were the Maj. Generals, each of whom commanded his separate district.

In Indiana there were four Maj. Generals. In Illinois, where the organization of the Order was considered most complete, the members in each Congressional district composed a Brigade; the members in each County constituted a Regiment; and those in each township formed a Company. In Indiana each Company was divided into squads — each with its Chief — an arrangement to facilitate the guerrilla mode of warfare.

How complete was the design for effecting rebellion and revolution in the North! The whole machinery of a (xovernment de facto^ in disguise though it was, — with all its branches, both civil and military, in active operation for many months in our Northern cities, and almost within sight of the national capitol!

Early in the Spring of 1864, was made a partial expose of the " American Knights " in St. Louis, Mo. The public were startled by the disclosures in the news journals of the day, and the Order in all places was in dismay and trepidation, but the apprehensions of the conspirators were quickly quieted by the information from the Supreme Council that the Order would henceforth be known by another name, and that such radical changes would be made as to defy recognition, to defeat further investigation by the authorities, and to enable the Order to do more effectual execution of its designs. The people in the meantime rejoiced in the belief that the agency of evil had been finally and fully extirpated.

An extra session of the Supreme Council " American Knights" was forthwith convened in New York, and fully attended. That body revised its ritual, changed the signs, passwords and grips for others, and called the organization thus remodeled " Sons of Liberty." It will be seen that the treasonable order had as many aliases as a State's prison convict, and for precisely the same reason.