The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-11-20
was about to be made by Mosby's men

was about to be made by Mosby's men
directly after tn Gettysburg campaign,
and the facts of the cNse were told me by
Secretary of War Sedden. when asked his
assistance to further my especial project.
which had it's origin among a few South
Carolina Offices in Hampton's cavalry, and
with whom | was accustomed to fraternize
when in camp.
Neither was the confederate cabinet, Off
oially, or otherwise. as far as | know, in
formed of the latest scheme to kidnap. M.
Sedden was perhaps the only member di-
rectly cognizant of it. and even he was
OF posed to the move at first. On my rep g.
sentations, however, he finally gave his
consent to the measure as perfectly j%astitia-
bic in war times, but with the stipulation
that no violence should be used in any
event. We must endeavor to effect the cap
ture at our own risk, he said, and any un-
necessary acts of u~gliness on our part
would have been visited with severe pun
ishment from the confederate authorities.
If we managed to get outside of Yankee
lines with whole heads.
Two associates-Mountjoy Cloud and
Norton, the latter of whom was already i'll
federal employ rs a detectlve-and myself,
determined to accomplish the plan. if pos,
sible, and with this in view commenced the
arrangements. to which Mr.. Sedden was
now willing to lend n hand. | knew well
that If we succeeded, rapid tran ,portation
VI bub captive WaS neCe5jh" " ana ble SlLGu-
ton would certainly cal. for the D omptest
coo yerHtion. Mr.. Sedien was, thereto 9.
requested to furnish me with an order on
Col. Mosby 70: assistance, should | need it.
and Whatever aid could be rendere by
Lieut.. Cawood, the gallant young officer
wko had cha ge of the confederate signal
station on the Lover Potomac. The s.cre-
tary nevet hesitat d, Dut at once issued the
following:
CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA,
VAR DEPARTMENT
IGHMOSD, Va, sept 10, 1854.
LientanantiC Colonel Mosby and Lieutenant
movements OF Cap ain I 0 rad.
JANE A. SEDDEN,
tecfe airy of War.
This WAS the order that laid the train
and prepared my way to accomplish som -
thing which history records nothing about,
because it fhIled of execution. Had that
little detail of three men succeeded in their
purpose, we should have uumade history,
and who can tell. Perhaps the dark tragedy
at tord's thsatfr would never have been
known: and who Is pro het enough to Judge
what might have been the turn OF political
events; and what nav nRtions might not
now exist on this continent had Lincoln
ever been taken across the Potomac un.
willingly? The question affords an I'M
mense held for speculation that will never
sec realization, but Is Il vastly interesting
matter Tor the thoughtful to contemplate
IN passing, nGve ttheleIs. Mpsby was never
informed OF the contents of tho
order which i carried from Mr. Sedden, nor
was Lieut.. Cawood until long alter the
schemes failure. We had determined that
a too premature disclosure might somehow
lead to discovery OF the plan amouQ tho
federal authorities and thWart it, and be-
sides for a day after the p opposed cnptul e
We had no doubt of being able to attend to
the affair without additional md. 20, be-
ing assured that none of our party ever di-
yulged what had been planned, | could
never get an ink. Ing OF the zeal ~truth-why
anu under what CT, cumstances Mr.. Lincoln
received warning III tlme-uutil II cumpar-
lively recent date. But tho reasons will
Al pear and the thwartiug of our plan prove
to have been due to an entirely different
scheme from on own.
len days after securing tho order FROM
the war department at chmon | had
reached WASHINGTON 3afely and begun tG
r~econnolter the White house. To capture 4
man like the president of tho United States
would be no easy task at any time, nud
much less 30 when the capital who u he &c.
sided vas thronged with foes, n fact ht
knew we'll; and no man could tell when !,
hostile move in the dark might come.
had to ascertain MIR. IincoIn's custom
airy movements fist, then plan accofd
lngly afterward. LAFAYETTE square, only
stones throw north of the White house
entrance, was the very place l needed n
vantage ground. Partly concealed by tn,
large trees OF the park. l found no difficult
IN observing tbs Official ingress and epress
noting about what hours of tho day Ia
I might venture forth; size of the accompa