Year: 1861

The Contemplated Southern Raid upsn


the Federal CITY : Major Ben. hIcCuI-


lOch's Scheme-The Plan Proposed.


Mondays New York Epering Post says;


A Virginia gentleman, now in this city,
informs us that he had long conversation
with McOulloch few days since, aud that
the design Of attacking the Federal Capital
was freely avowed by that reckless fill.
buster. McCulloch, who is well known as
q Texan ranger of UNUSUAL bravery and
SKILL declared TO our informant that his sole
object in visiting Maryland and Virginia
was the organization of a suitable military
force, to be prepared for instant service as
soon as war had actually commenced.


There are in the ranks of the Secession
lists in Eastern Virginia and Maryland many
desperate men, who seek an opportunity to
p1ecipitate those States into revolution.
The severe contest now going on in Virginia
between the Secessionists and the conserva'
tives affords sufficient evidence that the pre-
cipitatoTs are q strong body, capable Of rush.
ing TO any extreme act Of violence which
promises notoriety or the acquisition of
power. The fierce debates in the Virginia
State Convention, the traitorous proelivities
of ex Governor Wise, the cries of the Seces-
sionist press of the State, all point to the
real object of the traitors, who are now
struggling to obtain the ascendancy. Thus
far these schemers have failed in their aim,
but the pressure is still steady, and the
efforts of the rebellious spirits of the State
are so persistent as to inspire the liveliest
apprehensions in the minds of the lovers of
he Union.


In Maryland smaller but not less deter
mined body of Secessionists have taken open
ground in favor of revolution. Checked in
their career by the patriotic stand of Gov.
Hicks, whose firm refusal to call State
Convention has called down upon him the
extreme wrath of the rebels, they have yet
found opportunities for demonstrations of
reasonable character, and count among
their numbers large array OF uneasy spirits
who anticipate the approach of an hour
when they can do the work of destruction.
Public meetings have been held, public men
have spoken, and one or two of the Balti-
more papers have argued in favor of Seces-
sion. A strong pressure of conservative
sentiment and the firmness of Gov. Hicks
have blocked the game up to this time, but
the ferment continues.


McCulloch, fully aware of these facts
stated to our informant, in the course of q
frank conversation, that hisobject in coming
from Texas was to cement and consolidate
the Secessionist sentiment. He saw an op-
portunity for exciting the passions of the
discontented, and proceed without delay to
put his scheme in practice He now de-
clares, in the most positive manner, that,
with the assistance of Gov. Wise and other
rank Secessionists Of the ultra Virginia
school, he has succeeded in effecting COM
plete military organization, recruited both
from Maryland and Virginia. The number
of men already enrolled is 5000. The order
is that they shall be ready for active service
at moments notice, and that the first step
will be q march upon Washington and the
seizure of the Federal Capital and the ar
chives of the Government, at the moment
when civil war shall commence. The active
!, military preparations of the Government
have inspired McCulloch and his fellow-re.
I bells with the belief that decisive blow is
to be struck, and the opportunity that will
then be offered for display of his force will
be eagerly seized.


The statements seem to be confirmed by
the following account of McCullOch's move
ments in Washington during the past week,
which we find in the Washington, Evening
Star of Saturday: e"


MAJ. BEN. McCULLocH We are informed
that Maj. Ben. McCulloch, of Texas, was seen
to emerge yesterday morning, about day
break, from the residence of gentleman in
the First Ward of this city, noted for his
completely with the counsels of the chief
) copspirators of the eliParchy at this point.
On quitting the house he mounted horse
standing conveniently near the door, and
rode off-doubtless across the Long Bridge,
into Virginia, from whence, we take it for
granted he came to pay this secret midnight
visit to the Federal Metropolis. We have
every reason to place implicit confidence in
this statement.


So much for McCulloch's scheme. In put.
ting his plan in operation, however, the
Major will do we'll to remember that he has
neither Buchanan nor Floyd to deal with,
and that instead of aid and comfort from
persons high in authority, he will be watched
at every step and arrested without delay as
soon as he commits the first overt act. The
President and Cabinet, we have reason to
know, are fully advised of his schemes and
the presence of Gen. Scott at Washington
will effectually block any attempt which
may be made to seize the Capital. That Nc
Culloch is capable of any act of treaohery is
sufficiently shown by his recent connivance
with the rebels in Texas, and that he is in
earnest in this last effort to overturn the
Government there is no reason To doubt but
he reckons without his host. r.-..r = Il