The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1882-04-13
THE ROMANCE OF WAR.

Colonel T. Burr, the well-known Con-
federate officer, prints in the Philadphia
Times, an account of the attempt to re-
lease $4,000 Confederate prisoners con.
fined in Chicago, Columbus and San
dusky in 1864. and to inaugurate
Northwestern Confederacy. Major G.
Fl. Cole, of the Fifth Tennessee Regi-
ment, was leading spirit in the plot.
He received his instructions in Rich
mond, and reported to Hon. Jacob
Thompson, then in Canada. Jacob as
signed him to the command of the de-
partment of the Ohio, with headquarters
at Sandusky. At Camp Douglas, near
Chicago, there were about 5000 Con-
federate prisoners; at Camp Chase, near
Columbus, Ohio, about 5000 more, and
at Camp Morton, near Indianapolis,
about 1000 more. On Johnson's Island,
on Sandusky Bay, there were about 1900
Confederate officers confined. The OBJ
iect was to simultaneously release all
prisoners, and officer the men in the
other three camps with the officers on
Johnson's Island. With this force and
the active aid of Northern sympathizers
it was thought that Northwestern Con-
federacy was not impossible. Major
Tom Kinds, now Judge of Bowling
Green, KY, had the State of Illinois,
with his headquarters at Chicago.
Major Castleman had Indiana, with his
headquarters at Centralia. At all OF
these places Northern allies were work
ing in conjunction. The time selected
in making the assault upon these camps
was to be gagged by General Early's at.
tack upon Washington. so as to make it
impossible for any Of the troops to be
sent North to reinforce the limited num-
Der of Federal troops then in the North
west. The Northwest was selected as
the basis of operations because there was
great rebellion against the conscriptions,
and the people were generally tired OF
the war. 1t was at first intended to
strike the blow while the Democratic
National convention was in session In
Chicago. Four thousand Confederate
soldiers and sympathizers were in
Chicago at that time ready for the work.
Early's delay in striking Washington
caused postponement. Among the
Northern allies Colonel Burr places
BRICK PoMEROY.
He asserts, on the authority of Major
Cole, that Jacob johnson gave Pomeroy
money to establish the La Crosse Deme-
crat. On Major Coles assignment to
command at Sandusky, he was instructed
to capture the United States man-of-wa
Michigan. She was the only armed YES
sci on the lakes, and with her in their
power the Confederates felt assured OF
success. Cole wont to Erie, where the
Michigan was lying before she was sent
up as guardianship to the prisoners on
Johnson's Island. Through friends he
made the acquaintance of the officers,
entertained them handsomely, and was
invited to the ship, so that when it came
to Sandusky he was always welcome
guest. Ae established himself in San
dusky as an oil Spectator, organized
the Mount Hope Oil Company. and To-
Gated we'll near Titusville, Pa. Judge
Fillmore, of Buffalo, was elected Presi-
dent. and Cole was elected Secretary.
This gave him O business standing, and
his position as Secretary and business
manager of the company readily &C.
counted for the travel it was necessary
for him to do in furtherance of his mill
tary duty. 1t also explained the album
dance of money he had and his willing
ness to spend it. He received from Mr..
Thom pson $50, 900 in gold, portion Of
which was deposited in the bank at San
dusky to his credit. He turned his at
tention to cultivating the acquaintance OF
officers of the steamer Michigan, and all
military officers stationed at Sandusky or
who came there, as q prerequisite to
success in releasing the Confederate
prisoners. He wined and dined the Of
fcers continually, and was ON excellent
footing with them. He soon found 1t
necessary to have men in his employ on
board the Michigan, and also ON john
sons Island. As the United States Gov
eminent wanted both seamen and soldiers
two Confederates were enlisted as sea-
men and sent aboard the Michigan. Ten
more were enlisted as soldiers, and were
on duty as members of the regiment
doing duty on Johnson's Island. Be-
sides Coles social relations with the
officers, he was in position to be fully
posted as to what was going on, both on
the vessel and on the island. The men
enlisted as Federal soldiers were of in
finite value in communicating with the
Confederate officers. and in getting arms
to them.
After Thompson's visit to the Michi-
gan, Cole spent three weeks in Philadel-
phia recruiting. He established his
headquarters at Twelfth and Chestnut
streets, in the Girard building or old
Cadwall der House. He also had another
rendezvous ON Fifth street, between
Chestnut and Walnut, whore : man was