minds of the masses the idea that the war was a failure.

These conspirators had tried to use the conscription, in 1863, to
disrupt us, and they were again trying to scare the people with a
prospective draft, in 1864, to unsettle the public mind before the
Presidential election, then soon to occur (in November).

Governor Seymour relentlessly pursued General Dix, seeking to have him
indicted for arresting (he claimed) illegally, persons party to the
fraud. But the grand jury refused to indict him. Seymour claimed that he
(Seymour) was trying to preserve _personal liberty_, from the general
government's encroachments, which was also his attitude in
Vallandigham's case in 1863.

The New York "World" and "The Journal of Commerce" were the newspapers
involved in the affair, but the odium should not attach to the present
papers.

The bogus proclamation spread faster and further than the denial of it
possibly could.

FILE XIV.

Arrest of F. W. Farlin and A. H. Covert--The Pulpit not loyal, reports on
Rev. Mr. Harrison and Rev. Mr. Poisal--Comical reports on a religious
conference and a camp meeting--Seizure of Kelly & Piet's store with its
contraband kindergarten contents--Sloop "R. B. Tennis" one of my fleet,
and an account of a capture of tobacco, etc.--Arrest of Frederick Smith,
Powell Harrison and Robert Alexander--Harry Brogden.

Headquarters, Middle Department,
8th Army Corps,
Baltimore, May 21, 1864.

Lt. Col. Woolley,
Provost Marshal.

Colonel.--I have the honor to report the arrest of A. H.
Covert and F. W. Farlin, as per order annexed.

I have it from a reliable source that Mr. Alexander Civin went
to Philadelphia this morning, I therefore telegraphed to the
Provost Marshal there, for his arrest, and to send him under
guard to this place.

I am, Colonel,

Very respy. your obdt. servant,
H. B. SMITH,
Lieut. Comdg. D. C.

To discover persons engaged in creating sentiments of disloyalty, or in
pandering to such sentiments, was a part of our duty; the pulpit was not
always loyal.

Headquarters, Middle Department,
8th Army Corps,
Baltimore, May 22, 1864.

Col. Woolley,
Provost Marshal.

Colonel.--I have the honor to report in regard to the sermons
of the Reverends Harrison and Poisal: Neither preached a
political sermon nor dealt in any way with the affairs of the