For your interest: http://www.ehistory.com/uscw/library/or/index.cfm THE WAR OF THE REBELLION: A COMPILATION OF THE OFFICIAL RECORDS OF THE UNION AND CONFEDERATE ARMIES Series I, Vol. XXXII, Part 3, ppg. 681-682 Chapter XLIV. KY., SW. VA., TENN., MISS., ALA., AND N. GA. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF TENNESSEE, Dalton, Ga., March 26, 1864. General GIDEON J. PILLOW, Commanding, &c., Headquarters Montgomery, Ala.: GENERAL: I am instructed by General Johnston to inclosure to you the accom- panying letter from Colonel B. J. Hill, provost-marshal-general of this army, with the earnest request that you will give the matter to which it relates the consideration it merits. He desires me simply to inclose you the letter for such action a to you may seem best. A copy of Colonel Hill's letter has been sent to General Wheeler with the information that you would be written to on the subject. It is probable that he will send General Morgan, of Martin's cavalry division, with the necessary comma, for temporary duty in Northern Alabama. I am, general, with high respect, your obedient servant, E. J . HARVIE, Colonel and Assistant Inspector-General. [Sub-inclosure.] HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF TENNESSEE, PROVOST-MARSHAL-GENERAL'S DEPARTMENT, Dalton, March 25, 1864. Colonel E. J. HARVIE, Assistant Inspector-General: COLONEL: Private E. D. Meroney, Company D, Third Confederate Cavalry, was captured at Philadelphia, East Tenn., on the 20th October, 1863, and put in prison at Knoxville, and remained there about two, when he made his escape and went to his home in Blount Country, North Ala. He got an intimation while in prison that there was a secret society organized between the Northern and Southern armies, the object of which is to deplete our ranks by desertion. He mentioned to one of the guards that he would give anything to get of prison. The guard replied: "If you were all right, Jack, and had plenty of money you could get out." On his arrival in North Alabama he found the whole country disloyal and full of deserters. He was sick for some time; as soon as he was able to go about he went to work to find out how he could become a member of this secret society. He found out, took the oath, and become a member,and makes the following divulgement of their proceedings, signs, pass-works, and oaths. They swear not to any aid or comfort to a Confederate soldier, nor give any enrolling officer, or any one engaged in the Conscript Bureau, and satisfaction, aid, or comfort, nor to write any of the secrets or signs of the society upon paper, earth, or earthenware. The sign: When you meet a man walking salute him with your right hand closed, the thumb pointing back behind the shoulder. If he is all right he grasps his own left hand with his right,t he knuckles of the right up, these of the left down. They then look one another in the eye and the right foot with a small strict or other article; after this is done, one party picks up a small stick, breaks it in pieces with his right hand, and throws them over his left arm. This gives the other party to understand that he can speak of any secret matter whatever connected with the order. When in a crowd three carelessly on the right leg will signify to the other party that your are all right. If on horseback, the sign is giving the bridle-reins (holding them in your hand) three slaps toward the right hand. Pass-would: If in prison or in the guard-house, repeat the word "Washington" four times, and you will be released within twenty four hours. When approaching a Yankee guard-post, after being halted and challenged, you say "Jack;" the sentinel replies, "All right, Jack, pass on with your goose-quills." In line of battle the sign is to place the gun against the right at about an angle of 45 degrees, holding in this position long enough to be distinguished then carry the piece to the left shoulder in position of Scorr's "shoulder arms". Mr. Meroney reports that the enemy have a secret line of spies from Tennessee to Tallapoosa Country, Ala., through the instrumentality of the secretary of this society. The following enrolling officers and members of Conscript Bureau are members of this society, viz: Lieutenant John F. Musgrove, conscripting officer, lives 5 miles from Blountsville, Ala. he gives passes to deserters good for twelve months. Lieutenant Wilkerson, commanding rendezvous at Blountsville, gave Meroney three passes at pleasure. Clark Livingston, enrolling officer, lives in Winston Country, Ala.; James Ooten, enrolling officer, who belong to this league in North Alabama whose names are forgotten. The following citizens and deserters from our army are numbers of the society, viz: Allen Reive (citizen), lives in Walker Country, Ala.; J. Martin (deserter), lives in Blount Country, Ala.; William Chamble (deserter, postmaster at Sapp's Cross-Roads, Walker Country, Ala.; K. Gambol (deserter), Yankee spy, Blount Country Ala., John Gambol (deserter), Yankee spy, Blount Country, Ala. Wesley Prentice (deserter), Yankee spy, Blount Country, Ala., Joe Crutcher (conscript), Blount Country, Ala.; Polk Hillman (deserter) Winston Country, Ala.; George Baker (deserter), Winston Country, Ala.; Mrs. Murphy (Yankee rendezvous), Winston Country, Ala. Mr. Meroney states that with a regiment of cavalry the entire society could be captured in North Alabama. He knows the country, and would like to accompany the party as a guide. Respectfully submitted. B. J. HILL, Colonel and Provost-Marshall-General.