Description
Book Synopsis Unable to achieve sustained military success in the Civil War, the Confederacy tried a daring strategy in 1864--commando-style raids into northern states from Canada. Taking advantage of the undefended border, rebels hit targets along the Great Lakes, where growing antiwar sentiment was an election-year problem for the Lincoln administration.
Revisiting one of the forgotten chapters of the war, this is a deeply-researched history of the South''s operations in Canada. One of the most significant raids is covered in detail for the first time: Virginia planter turned Confederate agent John Yates Beall''s attempt to liberate 2,700 Confederate officers from a prison camp on Lake Erie.
Trade ReviewThe story of the American Civil War has been plowed and replowed thousands of times. Missing from this story is the important role played by the Confederate Secret Service operating out of Canada. John Yates Beall, a Confederate hero due to his daring exploits against Union shipping, moved to Canada joining the Confederate Secret Service where he attempted several raids against Union entities. Though unsuccessful, Beall spread fear throughout the Union. Ralph Lindeman has written a masterful work on Beall's exploits filling the gap left by others. This thoroughly researched work belongs on every Civil War bookshelf."—Edward Steers, Jr., author,
Blood on the Moon and
Getting Right With LincolnTable of Contents
- Table of Contents
- Acknowledgments
- Preface
- 1. The Prisoner
- 2. The Island
- 3. The Prison
- 4. First Arrivals
- 5. Rebels on the Island
- 6. A Plan Emerges in Canada
- 7. A Meeting in Richmond
- 8. "Fire in the Rear"
- 9. Pirates on Chesapeake Bay
- 10. Life on the Island
- 11. The Northwest Conspiracy Takes Shape
- 12. Confederate Commissioners Head to Canada
- 13. Battle Plans and Diplomacy
- 14. A Gathering in Chicago
- 15. Hard Times on the Island
- 16. "I Seize This Boat and Take You as Prisoner"
- 17. A Confederate Flag Flies on Lake Erie
- 18. A Telegram from Detroit
- 19. Chase and Escape
- 20. Aftermath
- 21. A Visitor to Montreal
- 22. The Ill-Fated Voyage of the CSS Georgian
- 23. A Train from Sandusky
- 24. Behind Bars on Mulberry Street
- 25. The Trial
- 26. Cries for Mercy
- 27. The Execution
- Epilogue
- Chapter Notes
- Bibliography
- Index
