The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-12-31
WANTED POLISH SOLDIERS.
A Rather Curious story of the Civil
War.

- manner CURIOUS story OF the Civil
War.
The New York Sun of Dec. % printed
many letters and documents relating to one
of the interesting episodes Of the civil WAT
Of which the general public are not VI eli
informed. The Sun says; SIT appears from
these papers that deliberate attempt was
made to defraud the confederate authorities
out of a very large sum of money by ap-
pealing to them in a way which, under the
circumstances, was sure to attract atten-
ton. That the plan succeeded to only
comparatively Insignificant extent. was
due only to the good judgment and honesty
of two of the confederate agents in Europe,
G. J. McRae and James Williams.
1T was in the latter part of the war-1S64
when confederate hopes were dropping
and the leaders were ready to clutch at al
most any means that promised help, that a
party of four Poles, including two colonies,
a major and a chaplain, ran the federal
blockade at Wilmington, and applied to the
authorities at Richmond for what they
called an asylum for their oppressed
countrymen. They represented that many
thousands of the Poles wandering about
Europe were looking at the American con-
flict with deep sympathy for the south
growing out OF their own sufferings from
tyrannical rule. These Poles. believing
south would be only too glad. they said. to
emigrate to the southern states if transpor-
tation were provided and a suitable terri
tory set aside on which they could form a
settlement for the perpetuation of their
home customs and traditions, but subject
of course, to the laws of the confederate
states. In return for such transportation
and territory the able-abodied would be
willing to enter the confederate service and
assist in establishing the confederate gov
eminent.
''Coming at such a:time it was scheme
that was sure to attract the favorable at
tention of the confederate leaders, provided
the adventures could create a conviction
of sincerity and ability while presenting
their plans. That they were able to do this
in Richmond is plain, for Mr.. Davis and
Judah P. Benjamin at once took up the
matter and arranged to return the adven-
turers to Europe and provide them with
abundant means. The money, however.
with proper caution, was to be paid out
through Gen. McRae. That the provision
was liberal is apparent from the fact that
$3.50. 600 was sent to start with, while the
letter said that four-fold more would be for
warded, could the 'few thousand" troops
expected to arrive be increased to fifteen
or twenty thousand"
''The scheme proposed was to establish
recruiting agencies in various parts of
L
vous. They were then to begathered secretly
at some part, placed on a vessel chartered
for the purpose. and cleared for some port
south of Mexico. They were, however. to
sail to Matamoras, and be conducted thence
over the line into Texas They would then
be turned into companies and regiments,
who were to be allowed to elect their
officers from their own numbers In case
they insisted on it, they were to oe allowed
to elect brigade officers also, but that propo-
sition was not to be encouraged Once
sworn in they were to be sent against The
yanks. Into whose ranks, with their we'll
known courage. they were to carry dismay.
Meantime the the four Polish commissioners
were to receive liberal salaries as recruiting
agents.
1.-THE effect on the north of turning
$4,000 or 10000 foreigners into the southern
army in body was apparently not con-
sldered. That it would have aroused feel
ing of indignation that would have in-
creased the federal forces by much greater
number is beyond question.
1T turned out, however, that Polish
sympathy was not SO active for the south
as it had been represented to be. Even if it
had been, this was not the committee to
direct 1t, for they we're men of no influence,
and one was discharged employee from
the federal war department
1.-The confederate agents in Europe recog-
nlzs0 Unls instantly IN spite OF the blindness
at Richmond, but they went ahead, deter
mined to carry out the scheme as we'll as
possible. Offices were rented, plans written
out, clerks employed, and all preparations
made to enlist emigrants. The members of
the committee tried to get at the Doodle,
but beyond very modest sums, failed.
They. therefore, appropriated such funds as
were given them to pay rent and clerk hire
to their own use, and the unfortunate land
lords and employees were in a deal of
trouble over it. Finally the swindlers
quarrelled among themselves. Attempts to
get men of real influence interested failed,
and the scheme ended, as Gen. Williams
says, in ridiculous farce.
The correspondence with the chief
colouel Of the committee ended in three
ineffecutual appeals by him for pass
The total cost of the effort to set the
Poles a-fighting the yanks was 972S 2s."