The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-09-09
War PLOT TO BURN NEW YORK
A CIVIL WAR ENTERPRISE THAT
CAME TO NAUGHT.

Light on q Disputed Point by q Confederate
Captain Who Was Concerned in tho
Conspiracy Ben Butler Scared Elm
and Their Greek Fire wouldn't work.
Whether there was during the civil wal
deliberate attempt, officially sanctioned
Ind supported by the Confederate Govern
nent, TO destroy the city Of New York, Is
question which has been the subject OF
Intermittent controversy ever since the
yreat conflict ended, says an article In the
Army and Nary Journal. The charge that
uch an enterprise was undertaken has often
ven made and as often denied, both at the
North and the South, and 50 vehement
have been these allegations and contradic-
ions that the student Of the Rebellion seek
ng only the truth has until now been quite
Unable to reach a definite conclusion sup
'ortable by historic authority. At last,
however, a living witness has appeared
Shcse testimony has all the force Of con-
%Ticion, and who now boldly presents him.
Nf as the historian OF stirring events In
which he wa himself an audacious paTtiCi-
ant.
This ia John W. Headley Of Kentucky,
Who entered the Confederate service as
IN enlisted man in 1891 and was rapidly
yancod until the summer Of 1894 found
i'm in the grade Of Captain and attached
+ an officer Of the Confederate army 10
he mission OF Jacob Thompson, the ennis
cry Of the Confederacy in Canada. Capt.
i"c7ley's testimony is contained in . work
ntited Confederate Operations in Canada
MI New York recently issued by the Neale
Publishing Company, which work, because
its canIor, it's c~learness and The personal
elation Of the author TO the story IL tells,
NIL he recognized as a unique and valuable
cntribution to the history Of the civil war
eriod. The narrative az a whole is one Of
bsorbing interest, but We are at present
onpmed solely with those portions OF
which teal with the Confederate plot
0 destroy the city Of New York in retalia-
ion for the drastic measures employed
~ Sherman at Atlanta ami on his march
o the sea. Capt. Headley quotes at length
rom what purports TO be Official oommunl-
atoms from Mr.. Davis, President of the
outhern C~onfeGeracy, approving the
Ian and authorizing his representative in
ana Ia to supply the funds required 10
xecute it..
The plot against New York was only q
art Of a larger scheme which contemplated
he organization OF a cOnfederacy Of North
Festern States and one Of Northeastern
tates, the secession OF the city Of New York
rom the Empire State and the release Of
Confederate prisoners held ct various points
the North-the expectation being that
nese various movements, being effected
simultaneously or nearly 90, would force
N Immediate cessation Of bostilities be-
Ween the North and the South. The plan
pproved by jacob Thompson contem-
Mated simultaneous uprieings in New York
nd Chicago, with incidental Arrangements
or firing the cities Of Boston and Cincin-
All about the same time. The destruction
I New York was assigned to Col. Martin.
nth whom were associated several other
ohiederate officers, including Capt. Head
y az second in command. They were
ssured that 10000 Confederate syHnpa-
ni1ers were in the city organized, armed
nd ready to Join with them when the
Tord was given. Il had been represented
. jacob Thompson that the Governor of
ne state, Mr.. Seymour, and the Mayor Of
DE city, Fernando Wood, would remain
Inactive when the attempt was made. The
ey originally Get for the attempt was
sovsmoer Q, 1894, the day Of the Prssi-
'ential election.
IA TOO mesnttms Capt. HeadBey md Nh