Raiding with Morgan

by Byron A. Dunn

  CHAPTER XV.

  OHO NE! OHO NE! OHO NE!

  Monday Calhoun left for Detroit. Dr. Warrenton was on the train, but theymet as strangers. When he reached the city and went to register at theRussell House, a gentleman was carelessly leaning against the desk talkingwith the clerk. He did not appear to notice Calhoun, but he had caught theword "Chic." after his name.

  After a few moments the gentleman approached Calhoun and said: "Pardon me,but is not this Mr. Harrison of Kentucky?"

  "My name is Harrison," answered Calhoun, "but if you would examine theregister you would see I am from Chicago."

  "Ah, yes, I understand," and he gave the secret sign of the order. "Come,"he continued, "and let me introduce you to some friends."

  He led the way to a room where there were several gentlemen seated smokingand talking, among them Dr. Warrenton, who gave him a warm greeting.

  "I have been telling them about you," said Warrenton, "and they are allanxious to meet you."

  The Doctor then introduced Calhoun to each member of the party. There wasWrightman of New York, Bowman of Indiana, Hartman of Missouri, Bullock ofKentucky, and others.

  "You don't tell me you are the son of my old friend, Judge Pennington, ofDanville," asked Mr. Bullock, as he shook Calhoun warmly by the hand.

  "The very same," answered Calhoun.

  "Gentlemen, we need have no fears of Lieutenant Pennington," exclaimed Mr.Bullock, addressing those present. "I will vouch for him with my life.Let's see, your name is now--"

  "Harrison for the present," answered Calhoun, with a smile.

  The party had no trouble in getting across the river, and that night therewas a meeting in Windsor which boded ill for the Federal government.

  The Supreme Commander of the order was a gentleman in the full vigor ofmanhood. He was polished in his manner, rather reserved, but every actionshowed that he was accustomed to command. Behind it all Calhoun thoughtthat he detected the signs of an inordinate ambition--an ambition whichwould stop for nothing.

  "Isn't he grand," whispered Dr. Warrenton to Calhoun. "A fitrepresentative to wear the mantle of your great namesake."

  "Better say the mantle of Aaron Burr," thought Calhoun, but he wisely didnot give expression to his thought. The object of Calhoun's coming wasfully explained, and it was decided by a unanimous vote, that he shouldreceive the fourth degree, and thus be entitled to all the informationwhich he wished.

  The degree was duly conferred on him. Calhoun was now certain he was amonga band of conspirators who would stop at nothing to achieve their ends.

  "Is this the highest of the degrees?" asked Calhoun, when he was through.

  The party exchanged meaning glances, and then the Supreme Commander said:"There is one more degree, but it is given only to the highest officers inthe order, and would not be of the least advantage to you."

  Calhoun was certain there was something which those present did not wishhim to know--some object which they wished to keep secret.

  The number of members in the order was now given to Calhoun. The figuresastounded him. In Iowa there were twenty thousand members, in Missourififty thousand, in Illinois one hundred and twenty thousand, in Indianaone hundred thousand, in Ohio eighty thousand. Throughout the East theorder was not so numerous. This seemed strange to Calhoun, for he thoughtthat New York especially would be fertile ground for it.

  "How many of these men are armed?" asked Calhoun.

  The answer was: "In Missouri nearly all, in Illinois fifty thousand, inIndiana forty thousand, in Ohio the same, in Kentucky nearly all."

  "Gentlemen," exclaimed Calhoun, with considerable warmth, "if thesefigures are correct, why have you not arisen before this, and hurled theLincoln government from power? Pardon me, but it looks like timidity. TheNorth is denuded of men, those loyal to Lincoln are in the army."

  "That is what I have insisted on," cried Mr. Bowman, of Indiana, jumpingto his feet in his excitement. "I say strike, strike now! We of Indianaare ready. Liberate the Confederate prisoners in Northern prison pens! Wehave arms for them. If necessary, give every Northern city over to theflames."

  "Brother Bowman forgets," answered the Supreme Commander, "that our forcesare scattered; that if we attempt to concentrate, the government will takealarm and crush us. At present we have to work in secret."

  "But what if Indiana and Ohio should be invaded?" asked Calhoun.

  "That would be different," was the answer.

  "What if you should be successful in your plans?" asked Calhoun.

  "Let the South go free. We firmly believe in the doctrine of States'Rights," was the answer.

  "Would your states cast their lot with the South?" asked Calhoun, eagerly.

  Again there were meaning glances among the leaders. "It is yet too earlyto answer that question," slowly replied the Supreme Commander, "or evento discuss it. The overthrow of the present Abolition government and theindependence of the South is now our object."

  But had the leaders a further object? Calhoun resolved to find out, and hedid.

  The conference at Windsor was over. It was resolved that the order shouldeverywhere be strengthened, and that it should strike at the firstfavorable opportunity. That opportunity would come at once, should theNorth be invaded.

  From Detroit Calhoun went to Columbus, Ohio, from there to Dayton, thehome of Vallandigham. He found that that gentleman was the idol of thatsection. They wanted him to come home. They swore they would defend himwith their lives. The whole country reeked with disloyalty to the Federalgovernment.

  Calhoun availed himself of the opportunity of talking with all classes ofcitizens. He especially tried to get at the feelings of the humblermembers of the Knights of the Golden Circle, why they joined the order,and what they proposed doing. All the information he gleaned he treasuredup.

  From Dayton Calhoun proceeded to Indianapolis, where he was to meet Mr.Bowman. He found Indiana much better organized than any of the otherstates. Bowman was enthusiastic, and he seemed to hate the Lincolngovernment with his whole soul. He would stop at nothing to achieve hisends. But the especial object of his hatred was Governor Morton.

  "I want to live long enough," he said, "to see that tyrant hanged fortrampling on the constitution of the state."

  Calhoun found that the Knights stood in great dread of Morton. Theydeclared he had a way of finding out every secret of the order. If he hadnot been thoroughly guarded, his life would not have been worth afarthing.

  Calhoun was taken into the country, where he witnessed the drilling of twoor three companies of Knights. These meetings always took place at night,in some secret place, and sentinels were posted to guard against surprise.Calhoun talked with many of the members to get their ideas and to find outwhat they wished to accomplish.

  "What do you think?" asked Bowman of Calhoun, after they had returned toIndianapolis. "I have forty thousand of those fellows."

  "Will they fight?" asked Calhoun.

  "Fight? Of course they will fight," was the answer. "Let Morgan get intothe state, and you will see."

  At Indianapolis Calhoun met with a wealthy farmer named Jones, who livednear Corydon. He had no words too severe to say of Lincoln, and boasted ofthe number of Knights in his part of the state.

  "We are going to sweep the Black Abolitionists from the earth," heexclaimed, boastingly, "and hang Old Abe, and Morton too."

  "What would you do if Morgan came?" asked Calhoun.

  "Do? I would throw my hat in the air and yell until I was hoarse," was theanswer.

  "What if Morgan should want some of your horses?" asked Calhoun.

  Mr. Jones's countenance fell. At length he mumbled, "Of course he wouldpay me for them?"

  "Of course," replied Calhoun, in a tone which the old gentleman did notquite understand.

  Just before Calhoun was ready to leave Indianapolis Bowman told him Mortonwas to hold a reception, and asked him if he would not like to attend andsee the gre
at War Governor.

  Nothing would suit Calhoun better. He had a desire to see the man of whomhe had heard so much--a man who had the majority of his legislature againsthim, yet held the state as in the hollow of his hand--a man who borrowedhundreds of thousands of dollars in his own name, that the soldiers of hisstate might be thoroughly equipped. He had overcome every difficulty, andheld his state firmly for the Union. Now, with thousands of the citizensof the state secretly plotting against him, he moved serenely along thepath he had marked out. Urged to adopt the most severe measures, he knewwhen, and when not, to make an arrest. He avoided angering his enemiesexcept when the public safety demanded it. His very name caused everymember of the Knights of the Golden Circle to tremble. Little did Calhounthink that when he promised to attend the governor's reception thatMorton's detectives were already looking for him. The renewed activity ofthe Knights had aroused the Governor's suspicions, and he was not long infinding out the cause. To locate and arrest the Southern officer who wascausing the ferment, was his order to his detectives.

  A large crowd attended the reception, and in such a gathering Calhoun feltin no danger. He saw in Morton a thickset, heavy man with a massive headand brain. He looked every inch the intellectual giant that he was.

  "The grandest figure," thought Calhoun, "that I have seen in the North. Heis a man to beware of. No wonder the Knights stand in fear of him."

  When Calhoun, passing along in the throng, took the Governor's hand,Morton bent his piercing look upon him, and the question came as if shotout of his mouth, "Where from, young man?"

  The suddenness of the question threw Calhoun off his guard, and almostinvoluntarily he answered, "From Kentucky."

  "From Kentucky, eh! And how goes it down there?"

  Calhoun was himself again. "Of course," he answered, "we are greatlydivided in that state, but all the powers of Jeff Davis cannot tear itfrom the Union."

  "Good, pass on," and the Governor turned to the next in line.

  But a feeling as of impending danger took possession of Calhoun. Why thatquestion to him? He had heard it asked of no other. Could it be he wassuspected? Forcing his way through the throng, he got out of the buildingas soon as possible.

  It was well that he did so, for hardly had the Governor let go Calhoun'shand, when he motioned to General Carrington, and whispered to him:"Arrest that young man. Do it as quietly as possible, but see he does notget away. He is the Southern officer we have been looking for, I am sure.I have a full description of him."

  General Carrington in turn whispered to a couple of quiet-looking men,dressed in citizen's clothes who stood near the Governor. They nodded, andstarted after Calhoun, who was now nearly lost to view in the crowd.

  Once out of the building Calhoun found that hundreds of spectators hadgathered out of curiosity. They were hurrahing for Lincoln and Morton, andshouting for the Union, and some were singing, "We'll hang Jeff Davis on asour-apple tree."

  Rapidly pushing his way through this mob, he reached the outer edge of thecircle. Here groups of men were standing, but they were not hurrahing.Instead, their looks were dark and surly, and it was plain they were notenjoying the proceedings. Just as Calhoun reached these groups, a heavyhand was laid on his shoulder, and a stern low voice said: "You are ourprisoner; better come quietly and make no disturbance." And in a triceCalhoun felt each of his arms grasped by strong hands. He was powerless inthe iron grip by which he was held; if help there was, it must come fromthe outside.

  "Oho ne! Oho ne! Oho ne!"

  The despairing cry cleft the night air like a knife. It fell on theastonished ears of hundreds who did not understand it. But to those groupsof silent, sullen-browed men it came as the call of a trumpet, summoningthem to duty.

  "Oho ne! Oho ne!" they answered, and before the surprised officers coulddraw a weapon, could raise a hand to defend themselves, they were beatendown, and their prisoner snatched from them.

  The alarm was raised, and a company of soldiers came on the run, withfixed bayonets, scattering the crowd right and left. But when they reachedthe spot they found only a couple of half-dazed and bleeding officers.They could only say they had been set upon, knocked down, and theirprisoner taken from them. By whom they did not know, for it was dark, andthe crowd had dispersed.

  When the onset came, Calhoun felt himself grasped by the arm, and a voicewhispered, "Follow me, quick!"

  Into the darkness Calhoun dashed, following his guide. In the shadow ofbuildings, through dark alleys, they ran. At last they came to a part ofthe city where only a lamp gleamed here and there. They stopped running,both exhausted, their breath coming in quick gasps.

  INTO THE DARKNESS CALHOUN DASHED, FOLLOWING HIS GUIDE.]

  "We are safe now," said the guide, "but it was a close shave for you. Whatdid they arrest you for?"

  "To hang me," answered Calhoun, with a shudder. "I am a Confederateofficer."

  "I thought you must be some big gun, or old Morton wouldn't have tried toarrest you in that crowd; but don't worry, you are all right now."

  His guide, whose name proved to be Randall, soon came to a house which hesaid was his home, "and," he exclaimed, "none of Abe Lincoln's minionswill ever find you here. I have sheltered more than one escapedConfederate prisoner from that infernal pen out there called Camp Morton.It should be called Camp Hades."

  Calhoun was ushered into the house, and shown a room. "Sleep soundly, andwithout fear," said Mr. Randall.

  Calhoun took his advice, but before he went to sleep he did not forget toreturn thanks for his escape, and he also had a great deal more respectfor the Knights of the Golden Circle than he had had before. The nextmorning the papers came out with a full description of Calhoun, telling ofhis escape, and saying he was a famous spy. The article ended with theannouncement that so important did the government consider his person thata reward of one thousand dollars would be paid for his recapture. Calhounnow knew that his work was done in the North. The only thing that remainedfor him was to get out of it as secretly as possible.

  Two days afterwards he was conveyed out of the city concealed in afarmer's wagon. He was passed on from the hands of one true Knight toanother, and at the end of three days he found himself on the banks of theOhio, a few miles above Madison. In the darkness of the night he was rowedover, and his feet once more pressed the soil of his native state. In hisecstasy he felt like kissing the ground, for was it not the soil ofKentucky?

  At the house of a true Southerner he found refuge. His measure was takeninto Carrolton, where a tailor made him a fine uniform. Purchasing a horseof the gentleman with whom he stayed, he bade him good-bye, and spranginto the saddle. The sun had just set, and the whole west glowed with thebeauty which we ascribe to the Golden City. In the midst of the gold hungthe new moon like a silver bow.

  "See! see!" cried Calhoun, "the new moon, I saw it over my right shoulder.It means good luck."

  And while the happy omen still gleamed in the west, he galloped away.