Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1886-10-23
GREAT CONSPIRACY.
An Interesting War story Comes 10
Light Through On, . Death OF the
Hon. Jacob II lompson.
How the Confectionery $, 'ught 70 Release
the saasherh PFiso1 ers In the
N0rthern Prs on.

LOUISVILLE, KY, Oct. &l.-Th Times
publishes an interesting col umn concern.
ing the Northwestern CO, rspiracy, an
attempt of the Confederate gt 'vernment TO
release Southern prisoners in the North,
The article says, "The most sensational
publication Of secret war history ever
made In this country is about o be made
In Louisville. Since the death Of Hon.
Jacob Thompson renewed interest has
been felt as TO the disposition he made
Of HIS papers relating to the attempt Of
the Confederate government TO release
the Southern prisoners confined In the
North, TO arm and organize them, and by
the cooperation Of those thoroughly
dissatisfied with President Llncoln's
administration throughout the states Of
Ohio, Indiana and Illinois TO create a
division which would relieve the pres
sure on the Confederate army
at the front. These papers and many
others relating TO the movement are in
the hands OF ex-Chiet Justice Hines OF
kentucky, who was In charge OF all the
active operations. Major John b.
Casteman OF this city, was the
principal aid TO Judge Hines,
aud these two gentlemen have for
sometime been considering the adylsa-
bllity OF giving to the public full informa-
ton OF what Is now generally known as
the Northwestern Conspiracy These
| papers will be supplemented by valuable
public documents, and the announcement
| IL made that the Southern Bivauoc Will
begin the publication Of all Of the docu.
ments In the December issue OF that mag
azne. The Importance OF the movement has
never yet been fully understood, nor have
the papers Of the North comprehended the
| relations that existed between
the commissioners and the varl-
GUS copperhead organizations OF
the Northwest, the principal one of
which was the Sons OF Liberty The
origin of this movement Is traced to the
raid OF Morgan through Ohio, though
this brilliant cavalry leader was finally
captured and imprisoned with the chief
officers. The raid itself developed
the fact that there was through
out the Northwest great diesat-
isfaction with the government at
Washington, and this led the Confederate
leaders TO take advantage OF the
disturbed situation, and II pos
sible, to secure the co-opera-
ton OF these dissatisfied classes.
| DuTDOht WIS htlll
ed nv the successful efforts made
by Gen. Margan, Judge Hines aud others
TO escape from the Ohio penitentlary.
After this event Capt. Hines was ordered
to Richmond. There he conferred with
| President Davis as 10 the best means Of
availing themselves OF the situa-
tion in the North, and IL was
| finally decided TO make an organized
attempt to release the prisoners confined
throughout the Northwest The federal
government had already reached the
determination TO refuse the exchange
of prisoners, and a movement
| for their release was absolutely
necessary In order TO recruit the ex-
hausted armies OF the South The first
purpose therefore was TO secure the re-
lease OF the imprisoned prisoners, and
the commissioners appointed With this
end in view were Hon. Jacob
1 Thompson and Hon. G.. @. Clay with
headquarters in Canada. The active OPP
erations were in charge OF Judge Thomas
| IL Hines, with John u. Castlemanas chief
adviser These gentlemen In pursuing
their operations concluded that the effect
Of the movement could be greatly height
cned by bringing into actiye service
the "Sons OF liberty and all other
| dissatisfied classes III the Nortnt ana
this was determined on. They sue.
eeeded In largely Identifying these asso-
Citations with heir own organization and
II is said that documents will be pre-.
scented clearly defining these relations
sustained by prominent peace men, anti.
| Lincolnites and others through
out Ohio, Indiana and Iill
nois to this gigantic conspiracy.
These documents will not relate 10 mere
heresay, but will be official papers pass
ing between the leaders OF both sections
OF this interior army Among much curl
GUS Information these documents will
furnish the fact that even Mr.. Stanton
was at one lime 80 Respondent as to the
success OF the war that he expressed
serious apprehensIons as TO the personal
safety of the president and bis Official
associates.