NP, WJ 8/3/1861

From the Wilmington Journal
August 3, 1861
 
   There is no doubt that the vilest treachery was practiced on the Manassas {Gap} railroad to defeat a junction between the forces of Gens. Johnston and Beauregard. The train conductor, when seized and charged with his treason, confessed to having been tampered with by the enemy, and to have received the sum of eight hundred dollars to contrive to defeat the union of our forces. As soon as he reached Manassas, he was tried, and ordered by Gen. Beauregard to be shot. It is only by such stern and severe examples that treason can be put down and our soldiers preserved from destruction. ??? the bribed wretch accomplished his purpose, we might, instead of recording a victory, have been compelled to chronicle a fearful and disastrous defeat, entailing consequences sickening to dwell upon. 

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