The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-10-13
"wAR's WAR"
A Plot to Burn Piitsburg During the War
How 1t Miscarried.

Plot to Burn Pi,tsburg During the War
How 1t Miscarried.
Pittsburg Post.
This is the first time have seen Pittsburg
since 1854" remarked a well-dressed, full
bearded middle-aged man to Post reporter.
as the $50 Walls accommodation train en-
tered the union depot yesterday.
Indeed! Quite protracted absence, the
reporter answered.
That was during the war;" the man con-
tinued.
Under what circumstances did you visit
the city in 1922
II came to burn it." he replied
ITO burn it!'' the writer calculated, at the
same time taking good look at the man,
and wondering what he meant
Yes, to burn it," he repeated with a
smile.
Explain yourself" was suggested, the re-
porter realizing that good item was within
his grasp: ,..,,o.,,.. ., a.. .na
was born in Lawrence county, Illinois, in
1886. Ny father removed with his family to
Texas in 1915. SO you see that although OF
northern birth, my education and assoca
tions are purely southern. When the war
broke out joined a Texas regiment and
served until General Taylor surrendered ),
shortly after the capituation of General Lee
at Appomattox. In 1864 affairs looked ex-
ceedingly blue for the Confederacy. We
were not far from the last ditch, and we felt
it. We had no money, very little food and
clothing, and no men to reinforce the decim-
ated armies. From some cause our COM
mander hated Pittsburg more than any
other northern city. In fact none of us
had any special affection for the place.
We all looked upon it as the head
and front of the attempt to crush
the South. Wherever we went we met
with Pittsburg soldiers. There seemed to be
millions of them. And they were good fight
ers, too. Well. as l said, our commande'
hated the place, and one day he sent an or
derby for two or three of us to come to hia
tent. We went. He told us he had a scheme
! he wanted us to carry out. It's accomplish
ment would greatly benefit the South;
might indeed turn the scale of victory. H
then told us that he wanted two reliable mer.
to go to Pittsburg, and if possible burn the
| town."
San officer in the Southern army actually
made this proposition to your" interjected
the reporter.
Certainly. What's wrong about it," re-
piled the stranger, in the coolest possible
manner. WARS war, isn't it? Pittsburg
was at war with US. Why shouldn't we be
at war with Pittsburgh
| "And you consentedY'
Jumped at the chance" was the reply
''Next day myself and another started north
| We had no trouble to get through the federal
lines, as we claimed to be deserters. All
| Memphis we boarded steam boat and came
to Cincinnati, thence by railroad to Pitts
burg, arriving there about 8 P. NJ. We pu.
up at a public house not far from the foot OF
| Market street, telling the landlord we haG
| just deserted from the rebel army. He was
| a German, and didn't seem to know the
difference between rebel and loyalist, or il
ne did, he chose to keep the knowledge tc
| himself"
What next?' queried the reporter.
| Next daV we commenced looking around
purpose. We had to be very careful il
our talk and movements to avoid sus
picion. The people seemed to be al
unionists This clouded our prospects,
for without the cooperation of friends
OF the South we could do nothing, or very
little. The burning of few buildings would
amount to nothing Our object was to de
| stroy all the public institutions, and particu
larly those devoted to the prosecution of the
| war. We remained in the city about two
weeks Three or four days after our arrival
we were arrested as suspicious characters
| but as we had provided ourselves with docu
ments showing that we were deserters iron
the rebel army we were soon released
| Several small fires occurred while we wer'
in the city, but we had nothing to do wit.
them. We found no opportunity to carr.
out our project, and had to give it up. I re
turned to my regiment and served until th
end of the war. My partner remained Northf
and was living in Erie when last heard from
! him."
| What is your nameT'
| civilian Orrel."
Where do you live?"
81 am connected with cotton factory a