CINCINNATI, Feb. 13.
The following is Mrs. Morris' confession:
McLEAN BARRACKS, CINCINNATI, Feb. 5, 1865.
To Maj.-Gen. J. Hooker, Commanding Northern Department, Cincinnati, O.:
General--I was arrested in Chicago, on the 11th day of December, by the
United States authorities, charged with assisting rebel prisoners to
escape, and relieving them with money and clothing; also, with holding
correspondence with the enemy. I desire to state the facts of the case,
to confess the truth, and to ask such clemency at your hands as may be
consistent with your duty as an officer of the government. I was born
and reared in Kentucky. My home was in the South till within the last
ten years, my connections and friends all being there. I had sympathy
with them, though I was as much opposed to the secession movement as
any one could be. Having a large acquaintance in Kentucky, I was charged
with the distribution of a great deal of clothing and money among the
prisoners in Camp Douglas, Chicago, sent to them by their friends, and
which was done under the supervision of the proper officers of the camp.
This I continued to do up to the time of my arrest, and in this way
I made the acquaintance, and was understood to be the friend of the
prisoners in camp.
In the early part of last winter, an escaped prisoner named John
Harrington, came to me and asked for assistance. He stated that he was
going to Canada for the purpose of completing his education. I gave him
money to the amount I believe of $20. Some time in the summer of the
past year, a rebel prisoner named Charles Swager, a young man who had
escaped from the cars while being conveyed to Rock Island, came to me
for assistance. I gave him a coat, a pair of boots, and some money, to
the amount I believe, of $15. There were two or three others that I had
reason to believe were escaped prisoners, whose names I do not know.
These I assisted with money, and to one of them I gave some clothing.
There were some others to whom I gave money and clothing, that I did not
at the time know were rebel prisoners, but who afterwards I had reason
to believe were such.
I received letters from Capt. J. B, Castleman of the rebel army, and
sent him verbal messages in return. He called at my house, and remained
for a little while. Capt. Hines, also of the Confederate army, called
and ate at my house once during last summer.
I beg to be released from my present imprisonment, and promise that, if
my prayer is granted, I will henceforth conduct myself as a truly loyal
woman, without in any way interfering with the government or aiding its
enemies.
Witness my hand and seal, this 5th day of February, 1805. MARY B.
MORRIS.
The following is Gen. Hooker's order relative to Mrs. Morris: