Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1865-01-27
FROM CANADA.



organized for the purpose Of pundefing our
people on The frontier, and that they only a
waited the release of the ST. Adams gang as
a signal for beginning their nefarious work
According TO promise have kept an eye to
the movements and arrangements Of these
desporadoes, and am now able TO disclose in
time, trust to thwart one Of their diabolical
projects.
In view Of the delay that has been granted
in the 81. Adams case, aud the almost GER
tainty that the prisoners will finally be re-
leased, the other gangs have determined to
defer action no longer.
SO many rumors without any foundation
in fact, OF projected raids on our border
towns have recently been imposed upon the
American press that the intelligence am a.
bout TO Communicate may be regarded by
some as another sensation. But such is not
the case. The instructions have from time
to time received from you to utter nothing
but facts and authentic information, would, if
| recognized no higher obligations, prevent
my giving currency to falsehoods or vague
rumors for the unworthy purpose Of deceiving
the public, and exciting the fears Of un?ro-
tected citizens on the frontier Indeed, NEST
of the stories of intended raids that have
fabricated and cunningly circulated by rebels
themselves. They have been designed to
divert the attention Of our authorities from
the cal point of danger and by soaring the
people of other pieces, TO cause them to cry
wolf when there was no wolf, to the end that
when the wolf should come, their renewed
cry Of alarm would bring hem 10 protection.
You understand the excellent facilities
enjoy for acquiring information in ragard to
the intentions and plans Of the rebels, and es-
peoially o. the gangs in this country and
will therefore proceed without further preface
to the disclosures promised in the beginning
of my letter.
The meditatsd project Of these rebels COM
prehends nothing lees than the capture of the
Clifton State Prison at Dannemora, descent
on the village Of Plattsbuig, and grand raid
in New England. At the prison the machine
shops, rolling mill, foundry, &c, are to be
destroyed, and the convicts released, most Of
whom it is believed will readily accompany
the raiders TO Plattsburg At the latter place
the extensive barracks belonging to the gov
eminent are to be des .royed, the custom
house, post Office and banks plundered, and
the entire town given up to pilIage and con-
Aagration. And all this as a mild retalia-
Burbridge, Sheridan and others.
/ But this work is not to be done alone by
rebels in Canada A considerable number Of
the "chivsiyy' have been detached from their
regiments by the rebel War Department to
assist in the work Of plumber. murder and
deva tation.
These gallant" men have steslthily made
their way North, and many of them are now
concealed with their friends in Baltimore and
New York, while few others are said to
have actually colonized in Plattsbutgh and
other towns in Northern New York. All are
in communication with the leaders, and are
awaiting orders. You will learn from my
private note some particulars on this point,
which it would be culpable to make public.
The plans devised and settled upon for ex-
ecutng these intentions have been approved
by the shrewdes and most experienced rebels
in the Province. The Invaders" from this
quarter are to work their way ecross the line
IN small PARTIES most of them proceeding in
sleds-in the neis hborhood of summit and
are to rendezvous at designated point, at an
appointed hour Of hight, near Chazy Lake.
The sleds, which at proper time are to be
abandoned, are each to be drawn by two
horses, and are to contain saddles, arms and
ammunition, and other articles necessary for
The expedition. Such of the men as are not
in this way provided with horses will, when
they require them, supply themselves by rob
bling the stables most convenient to them.
The leaders have not Only complete draw
ing Of Clinton Prison, but have recently re-
connoitered the grounds and determined on
the points aud mode of attack. The prison
IL said to contain about $50 inmates, includ-
ing several Southern sympathizers from Mary
land, confined for political offences, who are
guarded by lees than thirty sentinels. To
surprise and overpower this guard it is sup
posed will be an easy matter; and, as have
already stated it is believed that many of tho
convicts will join them in the plumber and
destruction at Platts ourgh.
The brave men secreIed in Baltimore and
New York are to proceed at different times to
various points on or near the Ogdensbur
and Rouse's Point Railroad, aud on an app
pointed day are to take the morning train on
its way from the former to the latter place
and Immediately on leaving Chateaugay are
to seize the train, destroy the railroad bridge
and telegraph at that point, after which they
will proceed east, and near Summit take W
the remainder Of the crew from the Canada
side. The latter are to make their way by
different points to this obscure point under
the guise of hunters. The force will theI
proceed to Mooers' Junction and take poss'
ession Of the Pls.tsburgh train, which always
connects at the junction with the train from
Ogdensburgh. Here the locomotive frs
seized will be disabled, the telegraph wirei
cut, and the raiders will "change cars" foi
for Plattsburgh. At West Chszy they viii
destroy the railroad bridge, then continue OF
to Beekmantown--a hamlet four or Ave miles
north Of Plattsburgh-where they will NEE
the raiders who are to proceed by way o
Clinton Prison, and in company with then
hasten to the above village.
Such are few Of the details Of the plan
which, closely written, covers thirteen pages
OF foolscsp.
If their arrangements should be complete
ly executed they would all reach Plattsburgt
before their approach could be made known
there and in no case could the people Of the
village be informed OF their danger thro
friends in other parts of the county in time t.
enable them to successfully defend their homer
and property.