St. Paul daily globe., 1894-05-06

they could trust, yet the wonder is not les
sened that they shouldi have been permitted
thus to perfect a conspiracy which, even if it
had been successful, could not have. effected
the final result, yet would have seriously
crippled the Union forces and resources.
have recently talked with Colonel Castle
man, a respected citizen OF Louisville, Ken
lucky, who boldly maintains that the methods
which he and his associate adopted were en-
tirely legitimate and in strict conformity with
the rules and privileges of war. Betweeen
the confederates in Canada and those opera
ting on this side of the line there appears
to have been constant communication and
perfect understanding.
While women did not occupy prominent
positions, nor particularly distinguish them
selves outside those spheres that are essen
TALLY feminine and humane, yet in this con-
spiracy one of that sex showed perse-
verance, patience and ability of a high order.
Her name was Miss Annie Davis. and it is
said she was a native Of Kentucky. With
abundant means at her command, this woman
made her headquarters at Sandusky. She
boarded with reputable family, attended
the leading Episcopal church, aud having
fine presence and good address, she speedily
made friends and acquaintences with the
people of that city. She became acquainted
with the officers in charge of the guards on
Johnston's Island, and through the assist
ance of a man known as Major Cole, she
learned all about the force and movements
of the steamer Michigan, the only vessel our
government then had on the lakes. While
in Sandusky Miss Davis claimed to be a
Canadian, claim to which she adhered after
the conspiracy had been exploded and which
saved her from Imprisonment when her fel-
low conspirators had been captured. In
Miss Coles employ (she used them as her
disbursing agents. was Jewish firm, named
Rosenthal. These men opened a clothing
store in the city, but unlike other men of
their race engaged in that calling, they made
no attempt to get trade; indeed, they might
be said to avoid it. Their place was head
quarters for the conspirators, and the stock
of clothing they had on hand was intended
to supply the prisoners as soon as their re-
lease was affected. Miss Cole might be said
to be the intermediary between the commits
sioners in Canada, and the conspirators in
Chicago, and had every one concerned act
ing his part as thoroughly and carefully as
she did hers, the result might have been
success that would have raised the effort to
the dignity of Responsibility. Acting in con-
nection with the proposed uprising in Chicago,
her purpose was to seize the steamer Miehi-
gan, release the prisoners on Johnston's Is
land by threats of bombarding Sandusky,
and virtually to have the unprotected lake
force at her mercy. AS preliminary to
getting possession of the Michigan, the
steamer Island Queen, commanded by Cap
tain Orr, and plying between Sandusky Bay
and Detroit, was seized at Middle Bass Is
land. The commander of the confederates
was Captain Beale, who was subsequently
hanged at Bedloe's Island, in New York Har-
Dor. The seizure of the Island Queen became
at once known, and the Michigan was ordered
to bring her to terms, which she succeeded
in doing. Even before the seizure of this
steamer the government had been informed
of the plot, it is said, by one of the conspira-
tors. That such was the case is believed by
the cons splrators, and have found no evi-
dence to supporter refute it.
In selecting men to organize the great
Northwestern conspiracy the Confederate
authorities made no mistake, for Judge
appearance, good address, Of marked intelli-
gence, wholly devoted to the cause they
represented, and with full appreciation of
the dangers and difficulties of their under
taking. Both these gentlemen are still living
and occupying prominent positions in Ken
lucky, and if they chose, which of course
they never will, to make known the names Of
the men in the north who were in active
sympathy with them, more than one
reputation would suffer to-day; for while the
Confederate who risked his life in defense of
his cause must ever command respect, the
men who conspired from the safety of their
own homes, and sought to undermine the
republic by secret organizations, must ever
be regarded with contempt.
In discussing this question Colonel Castle
man is exceedingly cautious and conserva-
tive, yet he does not hesitate to say that
neither at the time nor since has the govern
ment or the public understood the vast ex-
tent of this conspiracy, or the number of men
engaged in it. A majority of these men, he
says, were strongly in favor of preserving the
Union; but their union was that of 1860 and
not what the emancipation proclamation
would leave it. He says that many of these
men were ex-Union soldiers who had served
their time, but left the army in disgust as
soon as the government began to enlist negro
troops. 1t was easy enough to organize these
men for the purpose of obstructing the govern
.nent, but the great difficulty found by the
organizers of the Sons of Liberty was in get