A lady charged with Treason
--An arrest of much importance, and one exciting much interest from the highly respectable social position of the accused, has been made in this city.
The accused is
Mrs. P. H. Allen, a native of
Ohio, who was married in
Rome a few years ago to her husband, a gentleman of high character and position of this city.
A few days ago two disloyal letters were intercepted on the Peninsular, and the evidence in the case pointed to
Mrs. A. as the writer.
One of them was addressed to "
Rev. Morgan Dix," the father of
Gen. Dix, and the other to her sister in
Cincinnati.
In that to her sister she speaks of
Gen. Stoneman as the "white gloved" General, and criticises his leniency towards the
Confederates; his not destroying the dwelling and farm of
Hon. James A. Seddon,
Secretary of War, on his raid through
Goochland.
The letter written to
Dix is represented to have furnished the names of a lady in
Washington city and two ministers in New York who are gravely accused of sympathy with the rebellion, and advises their arrest.
The letter also alludes to the mission to
Europe of
Rev. Dr. Hoge, of
Richmond — that the statement of his having gone abroad to purchase Bibles is but a pretext, and declares that his real business is to exercise his influence in furthering the interests of the
South.
It also discloses the time and manner of his return, and exhorts his arrest by all means, and his close confinement during the continuance of the war. In the same letter is also given the location of several estates on the
James river, which, in the opinion of the writer, should be devastated.
The hope is expressed that all rebels may be "crushed out," and information is furnished where guns can be planted to command several different plantations.
The letter concludes with the assertion that if the
United States does not suppress the rebellion they do not merit the respect of the world.
When these starting developments were disclosed, a guard was placed around the domicil of
Rev. Dr. Hogo, where the lady in question was making a temporary sojourn, with orders for her arrest and appearance before
Gen. Winder.
Ascertaining that the body of a child was lying in the house awaiting burial,
Gen W. directed his officers not to disturb the family, but at the same time to exercise a vigilant watch over the lady.
After the funeral of the child, the arrest was made, and a partial examination had before
Gen. Winder.
The authorship of the letters was denied by the lady, but she admitted they were handed to her by another person, with a view to having them sent
North.
It is stated, however, that she afterwards confessed that she wrote one of the letters.
The examination resulted in her being placed in charge of the
Sisters at the
Asylum St. Francine Sales, where she is under surveillance.
