_The Conspirators at Work.--Detectives on Their Trail.--Webster as a
Soldier._
Every day reports would be brought to me from the numerous men I had
detailed along the line of the railroad, and regularly on alternate days
I would make the journey from Baltimore to Philadelphia for consultation
with the officers of the company.
At every visit which I made to the suspected localities, I could not
fail to notice an increase in the excitement and the indications of a
disposition to open revolt became more evident. Everywhere the ruling
principle seemed to be opposition to the new administration and a
decided inclination to aid the Confederacy. As the daily papers, which
chronicled the events which occurred upon the journey of Mr. Lincoln
towards Washington, or the desperate movements of the Southern
ringleaders, were perused by the people, or were read aloud in tavern or
store, they would be greeted by alternate expressions of hate and
malignity for the abolitionist and wild cheers for the rebellion.
This feeling, too, was largely increased by the visits which prominent
villagers would make to Baltimore, and who, upon their return, would
relate marvelous stories of what they had seen and heard of the courage,
the unity and the determination of the Southern people. Everything
calculated to inflame the popular mind was seized upon, and the
wonderful spirit of invention which these men evinced was simply
astonishing. As a consequence, the ignorant residents of these villages
and towns, having no authoritative information of their own, relied
implicitly upon the exaggerated statements and untruthful reports of
their leaders, and were kept in a condition of excitement that made them
ready tools of their unscrupulous and better-informed managers. As far
as could be learned, however, no definite plan of action had been
arranged, and no public outbreak had as yet occurred.
Barnum's Hotel, in Baltimore, appeared to be the favorite resort of the
Southern element. The visitors from all portions of the South located at
this house, and in the evenings the corridors and parlors would be
thronged by the tall, lank forms of the long-haired gentlemen who
represented the aristocracy of the slave-holding interests. Their
conversations were loud and unrestrained, and any one bold enough or
sufficiently indiscreet to venture an opinion contrary to the
righteousness of their cause, would soon find himself in an unenviable
position and frequently the subject of violence.
As this hotel was so largely patronized by the so-called "Fire-eaters,"
I instructed Howard to go there in order to secure quarters and to
ingratiate himself with these extremists. It was not long after this,
that, joining a company of gentlemen who were loudly declaiming against
the ruling powers of the country, he entered into their discussion, and
by blatant expressions of the most rebellious nature, he was warmly
welcomed by the coterie and instantly made one of their number.
Hailing as he did from New Orleans, his residence was a ready passport
to their favor and confidence, and his fine personal appearance,
gentlemanly address and the fervor of his utterances soon won the favor
of those with whom he associated. To a general inquiry he stated that
private affairs of a financial nature required his presence in
Baltimore, but as his acquaintance with the trustworthy emissaries of
rebeldom increased, he quietly insinuated that affairs of a national
character were far more dear to him than individual interests or private
concerns.
By continued intercourse with these men, he greatly increased the circle
of his acquaintances, and soon became a welcome guest at the residences
of many of the first families of that refined and aristocratic city.
Here his accomplishments appeared to the best advantage. His romantic
disposition and the ease of his manner captivated many of the
susceptible hearts of the beautiful Baltimore belles, whose eyes grew
brighter in his presence, and who listened enraptured to the poetic
utterances which were whispered into their ears under the witching spell
of music and moonlit nature.
He gradually neared the circle of which Marshal George P. Kane appeared
to be the leader, and in a short time he had succeeded in entirely
winning his confidence, and from this gentleman Howard acquired many
important items of information. The entire police force of the
city--officers and men--were in full sympathy with the rebellion, and it
became apparent to him that a strict watch was kept over every man who
expressed Northern opinions, or who was not identified with the cause
which they had espoused.
To all of these arrangements Howard signified his hearty indorsement,
and by every means in his power he sought to convince the leaders of his
full sympathy with their efforts and his resolve to take a leading part
in the struggle that seemed to be impending.
Accepting the invitation of Mr. Kane, he one evening accompanied that
gentleman to a meeting of one of the secret societies that then existed,
the first one he had succeeded in gaining entrance to. Arriving at the
place of assembly, he was surprised at the many familiar faces which
greeted him. Men whose aristocratic doors had opened to his entrance and
whose social positions were unquestioned; young men who traced their
lineage through several generations, and whose wealth and intelligence
gave them a social status of no ordinary character, were found in full
accord and upon perfect equality with tradesmen, artificers, and even
with those whose vocation was decidedly doubtful, and some of whom had
heard the key of a prison lock turned upon them for offenses committed
in days gone by.
The leader and President of this society was a Captain Fernandina, who
was known as one of the most active of the conspirators. This individual
at one time occupied the exalted position of a barber at Barnum's Hotel,
but treason and conspiracy had elevated him to the station of a military
captain whose orders were to be obeyed, and a leader whose mandates
compelled respect. He was an Italian or of Italian descent, and having
lived in the South for a number of years he was thoroughly impressed
with the idea of Southern wrongs, and that the election of Mr. Lincoln
was an outrage which must not be tamely submitted to by the high-toned
and chivalrous people of the South.
He was an enthusiast and fanatic, a dangerous man in any crisis, and
particularly so in the one now impending, which threatened a civil war
and all its direful consequences. Educated with Italian ideas and
possessed of the temperament of his people, he openly justified the use
of the stiletto, and fiercely advocated assassination as the means of
preventing the President-elect from taking his seat in the executive
chair. He was also the captain of a military company which drilled
regularly and whose members were believed to fully indorse the views of
their chief.
At this meeting Fernandina delivered an address which, for its
treasonable nature and its violent opposition to all laws, human or
divine, has scarcely a parallel. He boldly advocated the doctrine of
State rights; he fiercely denounced the party who had succeeded in
obtaining power; he inveighed in violent language against the policy of
the so-called abolitionists, and his arraignment of Mr. Lincoln was most
vile and repulsive. As these words fell from his lips the excitement
became intense. Faces were eagerly turned towards him, eyes glistened
with the fires of hate, and hands were clenched as though each one
present was imbued with the same feelings which animated their
sanguinary leader.
As he proceeded, overcome by the violence of his emotions, he drew from
his breast a long, glittering knife, and waving it aloft, exclaimed:
"This hireling Lincoln shall never, never be President. My life is of no
consequence in a cause like this, and I am willing to give it for his.
As Orsini gave his life for Italy, I am ready to die for the rights of
the South and to crush out the abolitionist."
As he stood before them, his black eyes flashing with excitement, his
sallow face pale and colorless and his long hair brushed fiercely back
from his low forehead, he seemed a fitting representative of so
desperate a cause, and his influence over the assemblage was wonderful
to behold. Loud cheers and wild clapping of hands greeted his
utterances, and all seemed in perfect accord with his declared
intentions.
There could be no mistaking the fact, that the object of these men was
dangerous, and that they had fully determined to oppose and prevent the
inauguration of Mr. Lincoln, but the exact plan of operation had not as
yet been agreed upon.
Upon these facts being conveyed to me by Howard on the following
morning, I resolved to interview this desperate leader of the conspiracy
myself, and endeavor to learn from him further particulars of their
movements and designs.
In the immediate vicinity of Barnum's Hotel at that time there was a
famous restaurant, popularly known as "Guy's," and this place was much
frequented by the secessionists who were in the city. Fernandina spent
much of his time there, either in drinking or in consultation with his
numerous political friends, who all seemed to regard him as an important
personage, and one who was eventually to perform giant service in the
cause.
[Illustration: "_He must die, and if necessary we will die together!_"
P. 65]
Howard having effecting an introduction to Fernandina, and convinced him
of his devotion to the interests of the South, I experienced no
difficulty in obtaining the desired interview. About three o'clock on
the following afternoon Howard and myself carelessly entered the saloon,
and were gratified to perceive that Fernandina was also there,
accompanied by several members of the military company which he
commanded. Walking directly up to these gentlemen, Howard introduced me
as a resident of Georgia, who was an earnest worker in the cause of
secession, and whose sympathy and discretion could be implicitly relied
upon.
Fernandina cordially grasped my hand, and we all retired to a private
saloon, where, after ordering the necessary drinks and cigars, the
conversation became general, and to me, absorbingly interesting.
The question of assassinating the President was freely discussed, and
Captain Fernandina expressed himself vehemently in its favor.
Some one in the party remarked:
"Are there no other means of saving the South except by assassination?"
"No," replied Fernandina; "as well might you attempt to move the
Washington Monument yonder with your breath, as to change our purpose.
He must die--and die he shall. And," he continued, turning to Captain
Trichot, a fellow-conspirator who stood near, "if necessary, we will die
together."
"There seems to be no other way," interposed Howard, "and while
bloodshed is to be regretted, it will be done in a noble cause."
Fernandina gazed approvingly at Howard, and then added:
"Yes, the cause is a noble one, and on that day every captain will prove
himself a hero. With the first shot the chief traitor, Lincoln, will
die, then all Maryland will be with us, and the South will be forever
free."
"But," said I, "have all the plans been matured, and are there no fears
of failure? A misstep in so important a direction would be fatal to the
South and ought to be well considered."
"Our plans are fully arranged," answered the Captain, "and they cannot
fail; and," he added, with a wicked gleam in his eyes--"if I alone must
strike the blow, I shall not hesitate or shrink from the task. Lincoln
shall certainly not depart from this city alive."
"Yes," added Captain Trichot, "it is determined that this G--d d--d
Lincoln shall never pass through here alive, and no d--d abolitionist
shall ever set foot upon Southern soil except to find a grave."
"But about the authorities"--I asked--"is there no danger to be
apprehended from them?"
"Oh, no," said the Captain, assuringly, "they are all with us. I have
seen Col. Kane, the Chief Marshal of Police, and he is all right. In a
week from to-day the North shall want another President, for Lincoln
will be a corpse."
All the company gave approving responses to these threats, with but one
exception, and he remained silent, with a doubtful, troubled expression
upon his face. This young man was one of the fast "bloods" of the city,
who proudly wore upon his breast a gold Palmetto badge, and who was a
Lieutenant in the Palmetto Guards, a secret military organization of
Baltimore, and I determined to select this man for the purpose of
obtaining the information I so much desired; and as the company shortly
afterwards broke up, Howard and myself accompanied Lieutenant Hill from
the saloon.
Hill soon proved a pliant tool in our hands. Being of a weak nature and
having been reared in the lap of luxury, he had entered into this
movement more from a temporary burst of enthusiasm and because it was
fashionable, than from any other cause. Now that matters began to assume
such a warlike attitude, he was inclined to hesitate before the affair
had gone too far, but still he seemed to be enamored with the glory of
the undertaking.
By my directions Howard, the ardent secessionist from Louisiana, and
Hill, of the Palmetto Guards, became bosom friends and inseparable
companions. They drank together, and visited theaters and places of
amusement in each other's company.
By reason of his high social position Hill was enabled to introduce his
friend to the leading families and into the most aristocratic clubs and
societies of which the city boasted, and Howard made many valuable
acquaintances through the influence of this rebellious scion of
Baltimore aristocracy.
Finally the young man was induced to open to his companion the secrets
of the plot to assassinate the President. It was evident, however, that
Hill was playing his part in the conspiracy with great reluctance, and
one day he said to Howard:
"What a pity it is that this glorious Union must be destroyed all on
account of that monster Lincoln." From Hill it was learned that the
plans of the conspirators were first to excite and exasperate the
popular feeling against Mr. Lincoln to the utmost, and thus far this had
been successfully accompanied. From the published programme Mr. Lincoln
was to reach Baltimore from Harrisburg by the Northern Central Railroad
on the twenty-third day of February, now but a few days distant. He
would, therefore, reach the city about the middle of the day. A vast
crowd would meet him at the Calvert street depot, at which point it was
expected that he would enter an open carriage and ride nearly half a
mile to the Washington depot. Here it was arranged that but a small
force of policemen should be stationed, and as the President arrived a
disturbance would be created which would attract the attention of these
guardians of the peace, and this accomplished, it would be an easy task
for a determined man to shoot the President, and, aided by his
companions, succeed in making his escape.
Agents of the conspirators had been dispatched to all the principal
Northern cities, to watch the movements of the presidential party, and
ready to telegraph to Baltimore any change of route or delay in arrival.
A cipher had been agreed upon between them, so that the conspirators
could communicate with each other without the possibility of detection,
and everything seemed to be satisfactorily arranged except to depute one
of their number to commit the fatal deed. This was to be determined by
ballot, and as yet no one knew upon whom might devolve the bloody task.
Meanwhile, the idea of assassination was preying heavily upon the mind
of the Lieutenant of the Palmetto Guards; he grew sad and melancholy,
and plunged still deeper into dissipation. Howard had now become a
necessity to him and they were scarcely ever separated. Under the
influence of the master spirit, the disposition of Hill underwent
wonderful changes. At times, he would be thoughtful and morose, and then
would suddenly break out into enthusiastic rhapsodies. His sleep became
tormented with dreams in which he saw himself the martyr to a glorious
cause and the savior of his country.
At such times he would address himself to Howard, in the most
extravagant language.
"I am destined to die," said he one day, "shrouded with glory. I shall
immortalize myself by plunging a knife into Lincoln's heart."
Howard endeavored to calm his transports, but without avail. Raising
himself to his full height, he exclaimed: "Rome had her Brutus, why
should not we? I swear to you, Howard, if it falls to me I will kill
Lincoln before he reaches the Washington depot, not that I love Lincoln
less, but my country more."
As the day drew nearer for the arrival of the President, he became more
nervous and excited, and would more frequently indulge in extravagant
expressions, which would have been regarded as absurd, but for the fact
that he was but one of a large number of fanatics, who seriously
entertained the same ideas of murder, and his expressions but the reflex
of others, more determined.
Timothy Webster was still at Perrymansville, and by this time had fully
identified himself with the rebel cause, and the company of cavalry of
which he was a member. On several occasions he had given undoubted
indications of his loyalty and devotion to the South, and was generally
looked upon as a man who could be trusted. He became quite intimate with
the officers of the company, and succeeded in gaining their entire
confidence. As yet, however, he had learned but little of the important
movement which we believed was in contemplation, as all conversations
upon that subject appeared to be between the officers of the company, at
their secret meetings, to which he had not been able as yet to gain an
entrance.
At length one morning, after the usual daily drill, and when the
company had been dismissed, the Captain addressed Webster and requested
him to be present at his house that evening, as he desired to consult
with him upon important affairs, at the same time cautioning him to say
nothing to any one concerning the matter.
Promptly at the time appointed Webster presented himself at the
residence of the Captain, and was ushered into a room upon the upper
floor, where there were several men already assembled. The curtains had
been drawn close, and heavy quilts had been hung over the windows, which
effectually prevented any one from the outside from discovering a light
in the room. On his entrance he was introduced to the gentlemen present,
three of whom were unknown to him, who were members of the secret league
from Baltimore, and who were evidently impressed with the solemnity and
importance of their undertaking. They greeted Webster cordially,
however, and made room for him at the table around which they were
sitting.
A few minutes satisfied Webster as to the nature of the meeting, and
that it was a conclave of the conspirators, who had met to discuss a
plan of action. Intensely eager as he was to acquire all possible
information, he was obliged to restrain his impetuosity and to listen
calmly to the developments that were made. From what transpired that
evening there could be no doubt of the desperation of the men engaged
in the conspiracy, or of the widespread interest which was taken in
their movements.
The plans for the assassination of the President had been fully matured,
and only needed the selection of the person to perform the deed, in
order to carry them into effect. In the meantime, however, other
important measures required attention and consideration. If the affair
stopped simply with the assassination of the President, but little, if
any, good would be accomplished. The North would rise as one man to
avenge the death of their leader, and they would only hasten a disaster
they were anxious to avoid. It was necessary, therefore, that the work
should be thoroughly done, and the plan suggested was as follows:
As soon as the deed had been accomplished in Baltimore, the news was to
be telegraphed along the line of the road, and immediately upon the
reception of this intelligence the telegraph wires were to be cut, the
railroad bridges destroyed and the tracks torn up, in order to prevent
for some time any information being conveyed to the cities of the North,
or the passage of any Northern men towards the capital.
Wild as the scheme was, it found instant favor with the reckless men
assembled together, and all signified their hearty assent to the
propositions and offered their aid in successfully carrying them out.
Among the most earnest in their protestations was Timothy Webster, and
as he announced his intention to perform his duty in the affair he was
warmly congratulated.
Matters were evidently getting warm, and but little time was left for
action.
[Illustration: "WARMING UP."]