This is an interesting, in-depth examination of the Confederate attempt to burn down New York City in the Fall of 1864, a proposed 19th century version of 9/11. Fortunately, it failed miserably. How the Confederate agents, based in Canada, thought they could destroy New York City without endangering the lives of hundreds of thousands of civilians, including countless woman and children is a wonderment. But that was what they claimed wouldn't happen.
What was most amazing was New York City was a hot bed of support for the Confederacy. At least, it was until after this failed attempt to destroy it. Even the Copperhead (Confederate supporters) newspapers tried to blame "insane women" for the attempt. At least one of the newspaper publishers condemned the attempt, actually to save his own hide.
Only one Confederate agent was captured a few weeks later, and he lied about his participation in the attempt until the final days before his execution. Those who protested again his hanging apparently forgot the Confederacy hanged several Union soldiers who took part in The Great Locomotive Chase, an attempt to destroy parts of the western Confederate railroad system, in which no civilians were endangered.
However, my biggest problem with the book is on page 105, where one Confederate agent is listed at staying in a hotel in an area described as "...a desolation, a place of lager beer saloons, emigrant boarding houses, and the vilest dens." Excuse me! But I'm a beer drinker and definitely a lager man. What's wrong with lager beer! :-)
What was most amazing was New York City was a hot bed of support for the Confederacy. At least, it was until after this failed attempt to destroy it. Even the Copperhead (Confederate supporters) newspapers tried to blame "insane women" for the attempt. At least one of the newspaper publishers condemned the attempt, actually to save his own hide.
Only one Confederate agent was captured a few weeks later, and he lied about his participation in the attempt until the final days before his execution. Those who protested again his hanging apparently forgot the Confederacy hanged several Union soldiers who took part in The Great Locomotive Chase, an attempt to destroy parts of the western Confederate railroad system, in which no civilians were endangered.
However, my biggest problem with the book is on page 105, where one Confederate agent is listed at staying in a hotel in an area described as "...a desolation, a place of lager beer saloons, emigrant boarding houses, and the vilest dens." Excuse me! But I'm a beer drinker and definitely a lager man. What's wrong with lager beer! :-)
