St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-10-23
A Series Of Sensational Documents Regard
ing Gigantic Rebel Plot to be
Made Public Soon,.
Showing the Close Connection of Northern
Sympathizers With the Oonfeder-
ate Cause.
The Papers Relate to the Attemp pit to
Free the Southern Pris-
OnerS
And Destroy tho Great Cities of the
Union--Some Interesting
Reading.
The Northwestern Conspiracy.

Northwestern conspiracy and the attempt
of the Confederate government to release
Southern prisoners in the North. The arti-
Gle says:
The most sensational publication of secret
war history ever made ia this country is
about to be made, after exhaustive effort in
Louisville. Since the death of the Hon.
Jacob Thompson renewed interest has been
felt as to the disposition of his papers relat-
ing to the attempt of the COnfed-
crate government to release South
ern prisoners conhned in the North,
to arm and organize them, and by the CO.
operation of those thoroughly dissatisfied
with Mr. Lincoln's administration through
the states of Ohio, Indiana and Illinois create
a diversion which would relive the pressure
upon the army at the front. These papers
and many others relating to the movement
are in the hands of ex-Chief Justice Hines, of
Kentucky, who was
IN CHARGE OF ALL ACTUAL OPERATIONS.
MajJohn B. Castleman, OF this citJ,waS the
principal aide to Judge Hines, and these two
gentlemen have been sOr some time consider
ing the sdvisabilty Of giving to the public
full information of what is now
generally known as the Northwest
ern conspiracy" These papers will
be supplemented by valuable public docu-
ments and The announcement is made that tho
Southern BivCuac will begin the publication
OF all these documents in the December issue
Of that magazine. The Importance of the
movement has never vet been fully under
stood, nor have the papers OF the North COM
pretended the relations that existed be-
tween the com nissioners and the various
COppsrhead organizations of the Northwest,
the principal one OF which was the Sons of
Liberty" The origin OF this movement is
traced to the raid oil Morgan through Ohio.
Though this brilliant cavalry leader was
finally captured aud Imprisoned with his chief
l. 49, e,,+ 1919 49,
was throughout the Northwest great dlssatis-
faction with the government at Washington
and this led
THE CONFEDERATE LEADERS
to take advantage of the disturbed situation,
and, il possible, secure the cooperation of
these dissatisfied classes. The purpose was
still further strengthened by the successful
efforts made by Gen. Morgan. Judge Hines
and others to escape from the Ohio penten-
tiary. After this event Capt. Hines was
ordered to Richmond. There he conferred
with President Davis as to the best means Of
availing themselves Of the situation In the
North, and it was finally decided to make an
organized attempt to release the prisoners in
the different prisons in the Northwest. The
federal government had already reached the
determination to refuse the exchange of pris-
ouers, and 4 movement for their release was
absolutely necessary to recruit the exhausted
armies Of the South. The first purpose, there
fore. was to secure the
RELEASE OF IMPRISONED SOLDIERS,
and the commissioners appointed with this
end in view were Hon. Jacob Thompson and
Hen. G. C. Clay, with headquarters in Canada.
The active operators were in charge OF Judge
Hines, with JOAN B. Ca5tleman as the chief
advisor. These gentlemen, In pursuing their
plans of operations decided that the effect of
the movement could be greatly heightened
by 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 organization and it is
said that documents will be presented clearly
defining the relations sustained by
PROMINENT PEACE MEN,
xnti-Lncolnites and others throughout Iowa,
Indiana and Illinois to this gigantic conspir-
acy. Tke documents will not relate to mere
hearsay, but will be the Official papers pass
ing between the leaders OF both sections of
this interior army. In addition to the value
these papers will have as q contribution to
the secret military history of the war, they
will throw a new light on the political situa-
ton in the North. Among r2uch curious in
formation these documents will furnish is the
fact that even Mr.. Stanton was at one
time SO dependent as to the success of the
war that he expressed serious approximations
to the personal safety OF the president aud
his Official associates. arising from his knowl-
edge OF the bitter aud widespread dissatisfac-
ton throughout the North. Tne extent OF the
OPPOSITION TO THE GOVERNMENT
at Washington aroused among all classes
among active politicians and quiet citizens
has never been so well shown Is in these
papers, and they may have peculiar aud
personalainterest for number OF prominent
pOlitieiols Some Of the ConfederateS en-
gagged in the enterprise were arrested, tried
and executed, others were arrested but es-
Rrv t<NeA TN.y5p @L
day set for a general uprising, and twice was
it postponed. The utmost secrecy was
necessary and it was wonderfully preserved.
Even at ashingtou very few papers exist
bearing on this episode of tho war. aHd the
authorities there, though they were aole
Hnxll to thwart it. never understood its ex-
tent or the magnitude of the forces arrayed
in it. 1.-The story OF the Northwestern con-
spiracy," said Gen. Basil Duke, enc Of the
most dashlug leaders Of the Confeder ate
army, will be the great
HISTORICAL AND POLITICAL SENSATION
since the close of the war. 1t is needless to
say that there are thousands of men in Ohio,
Iliinois and Indiana who will be deeply affected
politically By the revelations, aud some of the
suggestions made in political contests equal
the facts shown" There Is no political pur-
pose involved In the publication. The won
derful interest that has developed in the his
tory Of the war has simply forced out every
thing connected with the struggle, and the
Northwest conspiracy comes with the rest as
being next to the declaration of war itself,
the most important and thrilling episode of
natural history during the past twenty-six
years. The story involves the scheme to zap
ture the only guRboets on the lakes, the at
tack at Chicago, the release of the Confeder-
ate prisoners at Camp Chase, the attack at st.
Louis and the gen eral uprising of
THE NORTHWESTERN CoPPERHEADs.
Ill
Thompson and Jefferson Davis, letters of in
struction and vast amount OF correspond
enoo Is in our possession. The connection
of Vallendingh ham with the conspiracy will be
shown. There will be other facts demon
strated that will be Of extreme Importance
and interest 1t has been a labor Of years to
get all these, ana the results are worth the
effort 1t will be remembered that Mai. Cas-
tleman was arrested while up North, was
thrown into prison and was awaiting trial
when peace WAS declared. The mission of
the major and his associates has never been
properly understood up North, nor generally
in the South, many people thinking that their
object was in violation of the articles Of war,
when in reality they were
UNDkR COMMISSION
from President Davis, and were supplied with
funds by the Confederate government. The
Headquarters were 1xed in Canada, and in
executing their mission Maj. Castleman and
his associates encountered the most remark
able adventures. Judge Hines had some sen
sational escapes, once being compelled to
cross the Potomac aleno at night on the ice.
All these incidents are given in full, and mako
up ssme most interesting stories. Among
others one chapter is to be devoted to st.
Lsxer Grenthal, an ex-6ritish officer, rho took
part in the great scheme. He was arrested
in Now York and banished to the Dry Tortu-
gas, where no ended his life by suicide. He
was a typical soldier Of fortune.