Today in History:

349 Series II Volume VII- Serial 120 - Prisoners of War

Page 349 CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. --UNION AND CONFEDERATE.

Question. Have you any objection to giving the names of the heads of the two sections?

Answer. Vallandigham is the head man in the North, and Price is the head man in the South.

Question. What are they called--supreme commanders?

Answer. Yes, sir.

Question. Are there means furnished by this order for communications passing between the two supreme commanders to and from each other?

Answer. There are.

Question. Persons constantly passing to and from for that purpose?

Answer. There are.

Question. Have you any knowledge of officers or soldiers of the Federal Army belonging to the Northern section of the order?

Answer. I do not know. I never had any talk with but one. I met with one officer, but I have heard Forrest say there were quite a number of them. I was telling Forrest that I had captured a lieutenant who belonged to this order, and that I immediately turned him loose. Forrest said that was exactly right; that he had captured many of them and turned them loose--most of them were officers, but one or two were private soldiers.

Question. Did he give a reason why it was right--what the object was?

Answer. Well, no; he did not. He knew I knew that.

Q. Was not one reason because you thought he could be of more service?

Answer. Certainly. I knew he could do us more service in the Federal Army, and I knew he would do us no harm. I could not have captured him or any of his men that day if he had not led them right in.

Question. Is the Confederate Army kept advised of the views, purposes, and movements of the Federal armies and Government by means of communications passing between the supreme commanders of the Northern and Southern sections of the order?

Answer. It is.

Question. Are Southern Confederate officers thus put in possession of important information of movements of the Federal Government or armies in advance of their execution?

Answer. They are.

Question. Have you any knowledge, of your own or from hearsay, of this order having agents at Washington, professing to be loyal Union men, who does obtain important information, which, through the means furnished by the order, is immediately communicated to the Confederate Government or its army commanders?

Answer. I do not know, of my own knowledge, but I have heard it spoken of, and I almost know it to be so.

Question. You have heard Forrest speak of it?

Answer. Yes; I have heard Forrest, and not only him, but I have heard others.

Question. Do you know of Treasury notes being furnished to the Confederate Government through the means which this order furnishes for communication between the North and South?

Answer. I have no personal knowledge, but I know that the Confederate Government has usually an abundant supply of greenbacks to furnish for raids and other


Page 349 CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. --UNION AND CONFEDERATE.