Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 11.
Frank Moore, Ed.

[416] which comprised the small garrison at Camp Douglas, during two weeks of severe, and almost unexampled duty. A garrison overworked for months, its officers and enlisted men met the demand for added and wearing duty, necessary to hold harmless the great interests committed to their care, with a cheerful alacrity and steady zeal, deserving the warmest commendations.

Captain John Nelson, and so much of the police of this city as were detailed to act with him, and report to me, executed orders and performed duty with rare fidelity and energy.

Colonel R. M. Hough and the mounted patrol under his command, deserve great credit for promptitude in organization, and duty efficiently performed.

I have the honor to be, Captain,

Very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

General: I send this despatch by a messenger for two reasons.

First. I am not entirely sure of the telegraph, and the messenger will arrive about as soon as would a telegram.

Second. Though pressed for time, I can explain more fully our circumstances here, and what I propose to do. The city is filling up with suspicious characters, some of whom we know to be escaped prisoners, and others who were here from Canada during the Chicago Convention, plotting to release the prisoners of war at Camp Douglas. I have every reason to believe that Colonel Marmaduke of the rebel army is in the city under an assumed name, and also Captain Hines of Morgan's command, also Colonel G. St. Leger Grenfell, formerly Morgan's Adjutant-General, as well as other officers of the rebel army.

My force is, as you know, too weak and much overworked, only eight hundred men, all told, to guard between eight and nine thousand prisoners. I am certainly not justified in waiting to take risks, and mean to arrest these officers, if possible before morning.

The head gone, we can manage the body. In order to make these arrests perfect, I must also arrest two or three prominent citizens, who are connected with these officers, of which the proof is ample.

These arrests may cause much excitement; I ought to have more force here at once. It seems to me as unwise as it is unsafe to leave a central location like Chicago, with an unarmed rebel army near it, insecurely guarded, especially in times of doubt like these.

I have made repeated representations on this subject, and I am well assured that they have been seconded both at District and Department Headquarters. May I ask that you will again represent our necessities, and urge by telegraph that we be reinforced at once.

I regret that I am not able to consult with you on my proposed action, before acting, without letting an opportunity pass which may never again occur, and which so passing would leave us open to much danger.

It may happen that this action will be delayed till to-morrow night, but probably it will not. I shall telegraph in the morning if anything is done. If I do not telegraph, please give your views for my guidance to this messenger.

I fear the telegraph might notify the parties interested.

I have the honor to be, General,

Very respectfully,

P. S.--I have no time to copy this despatch. Please send me copy for record.

Have made during the night the following arrests of rebel officers, escaped prisoners of war, and citizens in connection with them:

Morgan's Adjutant-General, Colonel G. St. Leger Grenfell, in company with J. T. Shanks, an escaped prisoner of war, at Richmond House.

J. T. Shanks, Colonel Vincent Marmaduke, brother of General Marmaduke.

Brigadier-General Charles Walsh, of the “Sons of Liberty ;” Captain Cantrell, of Morgan's command; Charles Traverse (Butternut). Cantrell and Traverse arrested in Walsh's house, in which were found two cart-loads large size revolvers, loaded and capped, two hundred stands of muskets loaded, and ammunition. Also seized two boxes guns concealed in a room in the city. Also arrested Buck. Morris, Treasurer “Sons of Liberty,” having complete proof of his assisting Shanks to escape, and plotting to release prisoners at this camp.