ight against the United States, but that he was in now and
proposed to fight it out. The General having played the Southern dodge
and sympathy with the rebellion in such a way as to satisfy him, and
also having given the sign of the Circle, which this young Virginian
seemed to well understand, there was no longer any necessity for
withholding anything in reference to their condition, expectations of
succor, release, etc. He told the General that John Stetson, alias Col.
Jacob Reed, of Dayburg, had been there frequently; that only a few of
them recognized him; of course no one 'peached,' as they knew he was
working for their benefit.

"He said our commander of the prison was not very observing; that quite
a number had escaped, and nothing was known or said about it; that
others answered for them, reported them sick, or gave some other excuse
which was always taken; that Stetson had brought in the rituals of
the Golden Circle, and that all of them who were intelligent enough to
understand it, were posted, and that some of the guards belonged and
were constantly making the signs to the Confederate officers inside.
He had no doubt that sooner or later they would be released. He had the
same idea about how they would ultimately succeed. This idea pervaded
the minds of all with whom he had spoken on the subject. Many leading
men in Ohio were in accord with all that they contemplated with
reference to their release and the future success of the Confederacy.

"He also said that the party in Ohio who were in sympathy with the
rebellion were quite outspoken, and were under the lead of a very able
and bold man. The General inquired of whom he had reference, and he said
Valamburg, of Dayburg.

"'Yes,' the General responded, 'I have heard of him frequently; but is
he a military man?'

"'No,' replied Ridenbergen; 'but we have them in the State in many
places, from the Confederate army, just waiting the sound of the
bugle. But the fears I have are as to the time. It takes so long to get
everything ready--our people have to move so cautiously.'

"'Have you heard that we are organizing for raids from Canada at some
future time?'

"'Oh, yes; that is understood. Many of our best and brightest men are
over there, at different points, preparing for it; but that is to be
done only when we must strike in Northern cities for the purpose of
terrifying the Northern property-holders; we must strike then where the
greatest amount of wealth