The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-10-23
THE SONS OF LIBERTY PLOT.
A Coming Publication of Intensely Sem
sational Secret War History.
Ehe Conspiracy Entered into by jeff Davis and
other Rebels with Northern Copperheads
During the Darkest Days of the War.

LOUISVILLE, Oct 22.-The Times publishes an
interesting column concerning the Northwestern
conspiracy and the attempt of the confederate
government 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 to be
made, after exhaustive efforts, in Louisville
Since the death OF the Hon. Jacob Thompson
renewed interest has been felt as to the disposi-
tion to be made of his papers relating to the at
tempt OF the confederate government to release
Southern prisoners confined In the North to
arm and organize theN1 and, by the cooperation
of those thoroughly dissatisfied with Mr.. Lin
coins administration through the States of Ohio.
Indiana and Illinois, create diversion which
would relieve the pressure upon the army at the
4xogt. These.papers and many others relating to
the movement are in the hands Of ex-Chief-jus
tice Hines, of Kentucky, who was in charge of all
active operations Major John B. Castlemau, of
this city, was the principal aid to Judge Hines,
and these two gentlemen have for some time
been considering the advisability of giving to
the public full information of what is now gen.
orally known as the Northwestern conspiracy
These papers will be supplemented by valuable
public documents and the announcement is
made that the Southern Bivouac will begin the
publication of all of these documents IN the De-
cember issue of that magazine.
'"Tha 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 vi
eious copperhead organizations of the Northwest,
the principal one of which was the Sons of Lib
erty.' 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 his chief officers the raid itself
developed the fact that there was throughout
the Northwest great dissatisfaction with the
government at Washington, and this led the
confederate leaders to take advantage Of the
disturbed situation, and If possible secure the
fiav1 nf izRa nlo ne
purpose was still further strengthened by the
successful efforts made by General Morgan,
Judge Hines and others to escape
from. the Ohio gententiary. After this
event Captain Hines was ordered to
Richmond There he conferred with President
Davis as to the best means of availng them
selves of the situation in the North, and it was
finally decided to mako an organized attempt to
release the prisoners confined throughout the
Northwest The federal government had al
ready reached the determination to refuse an
exchange of prisoners and movement for their
release was absolutely necessary in order to re-
cruit the exhausted armies of the South. The
first purpose, therefore, was to secure the re-
lease OF imprisoned soldiers. and the commits
eloners appointed with this end in view were the
Hon. Jacob Thompson and the Hon. G. C. Clay,
with headquarters in Canada. The active opera
tions were in charge of Judge Thomas ii. Hines,
with John b. Castleman as the chief adviser.
These gentlemen, in pursuing their plans of oper-
ations decided that the effect of the movement
COulU % greatly 10lgnLen6Q ny bringing into
active service the Sons of Liberty and all other
dissatisfied classes in the North and this was
determined upon. They succeeded in largely
Identifying these associations with their own or
ganizations, and II is said that documents will be
presented clearly defining these relations sus-
tanned by prominent peace men, anti Lincolnites
and others throughout Ohio, Indiana and Ili-
nois, to this gigantic conspiracy. These docu-
ments will not relate to mere hearsay, but will
be the official papers passing between the leaders
of both sections to this Arrangement
"In addition TO the value these papers will
have as contributions to the secret history of the
war, they will throw new light the political
situation in the North Among much curious
information these documents will furnish is the
fact that even Mr.. Stanton was at one time so
despondent as to the success OF the war that be
expressed serious apprehension as to the per-
sonal safety of the President end his official
associates, arising from his knowledge of the Bit
ter and widespread dissatisfaction throughout
the North The extent Of the opposition to the
government at Washington aroused among all
classes, among active politicians and quiet citi-
Zens. has never been well shown as in these
papers. and they may have peculiar and personal
INTEREST for number of prominent poll iticians
sSome of the confederates engaged in the en-
terprise were arrested tried and executed 9TH
ers arrested. but escaped for want of evil
dence. Twice was the day set for general nm
rising, and twice was it postponed The utmost
secrecy was necessary, and it wonderfully
preserved. Even at Washington very few pa
pers exist bearing this episode of the war,
and the authorities there, though they were able
finally to thwart 1t, never understood its extent
or the magnitude of the forces arrayed in it.
The story Of the Northwestern conspiracy
said Gen. Basil Duke, one of tia most dashing
lendera OF the confederate army, will be the
greatest historical and political sensation since
The close OF the war; 1t is needless to say that
here are thousands OF men in Ohio, Indiana and