The Washington herald., 1906-11-04

$50, coo, had been sent to Montreal and
Toronto. This money was TO furnish
funds for the expeditions against John
sons Island and Camp Douglas. A force
OF 100 Canadians and 'butternut" bush
whackeTs from Southern Illinois was 10
move against Camp Douglas. but the full
strength Of the Sons Of Liberty exceed
ed $4,000 men, scattered throughout the
West and Middle West. IN the general
uprising other Northern cities were to be
sacked and burned Two hundred Confed-
crate officers, who were 10 direct the
movement. Lad made secret trips 10 Can
ada, had been instructed there, but were
now scattered throughout the territory in
which the uprising was 10 take place
Col Hines. who by successful manage
ment of 8lOrgan's escape had won the
confidence OF Thompson, had control Of
the initial movement against Camp
Douglas. but Col ST Leger Grenfell.
Raider Morgan's ajjUtant. was 10 have
charge or the military part OF the opera
tons: Grenfell was 10 be aided by Col
MarWaduke and q dozen other reckless
officers
RingIeaders All Captured.
Grenfen was military freebooter who
had fought under many flags. q daring
character. who seemingly engaged in war
from sheer recklessness. In battle he was
a MISUNDERSTANDING harnessed and in
spired BY the will OF the devil Grenfell.
soldier of fortune. bravo. bUccaneer, free
booter. was the very man to lead the
desperate expedition against Camp Doug
las and TO lend aid in the establishment OF
new rebel republic. In Grenfeu's COM
pany was usually found J. 7. Shanks. an
escaped prisoner of war; Capt. Cantrell.
of Morgan's cavalry. and daring Charles
Walsh, a general of the Sons Of Lib
erty. After the conspiracy plot was ex-
posed. Grenfen fed and later was known
to be in the British service, following his
trade Of blood. in Egypt. His subsequent
history is not known.
At II o'clock on the night OF the upris-
ing. Col. Aver has last secret meeting
with Col. Sweet. and a final stand was
planned. An order was given TO arrest
the Tingleaders. who had been closely
Swallowed by a cloud OF men in Col. Ayers
employ; the location of secret hiding
places for arms and ammunition had been
discovered and raids ordered In brief,
the government had decided to control
the situation. Col. Aver had run down
the conspiracy until at the critical mo-
ment. he was able TO place his hand on
every detail of the dastardly plot. Closed
carriages and drays were called into req
Gisition. and from Coz. Ayers lists Of l5o
were landed prisoners in Camp
Douglas. huge stores Of muskets, revolv-
ers. and ammunition captured. and the
conspiracy broken up-just in the nick Of
time Nearly al the ringleaders were aft
erward convicted; some Of them were
sentenced to the gallows
National Disaster Averted.
Col. St Leger Grenfen was waiting the
release Of the prisoners. He was then to
take command. His intention was to raise
the black flag" says Col. Aver, 'pilIage
the banks, seize the telegraph lines, over
awe the police force. burn houses. and
by other desperate measures compel the
submission of the city before the arrival
OF help from the Union army; and. know
ing well that the Sons of Liberty had a
following OF $4,000 men, many of them
Confederate veterans, Col Grenfell felt
sure Of the success Of his plan.
At the trial Of the conspirators. the
fact was developed that had forty eight
hours delay taken place in the uncover
Ing Of the plot. the Sons Of Liberty would
have carried out their purpose. The fall
OF Camp Douglas would. in the opinion
OF those Union officers best able to judge
have been a national calamity. attended
by no one knows what ultimate losses.
The position of the Union forces in
the field. at this time. was not such as
TO warrant the belief that the advance OF
the armies Of the conspiTatoTs could have
been checked before national disaster had
occurred Post Camp Douglas. second
only to Fort Monroe. was liable 70
invasion from Canada; and, indeed, sew
eral expeditions from Canada had al
ready gone secretly TO Chicago to look
Tie ground over. The destruction Of Camp
Douglas would have brought a reign OF
terror throughout Illinois, Indiana, and In
those nearby States in which the sons
Of Liberty were preparing for the North-
western Copfederacy."