Thomas F. Harney

[L Verge]

(07-22-2015 04:41 PM)SSlater Wrote:  To all that Post here. I am not contesting your opinions. (More Opinions - More Ideas.) so, that allows me an opinion.
Back when Booth, Conrad, and others, were looking for Lincoln along the dark pathways between the White House and the Soldier's Home, they were trying to "grab" Lincoln - alive and unhurt. Obviously, those plans did not consider "DECAPITATING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT."
The Confederacy needed "SOLDIERS" - lots of them - desperately - immediately. This led to several plans to "Free the Rebel Prisoners". Some think that this was the reason that Gen. E. G. Lee was sent to Canada. He was to lead an Army of freed prisoners, that would free other prisoners, who then would fight their way southward and squeeze Grant between them and Gen R. E. Lee.
I read books by the authors from that time period, and consider exactly what they wrote, they said KIDNAP. I don't say that the plans could not be changed, as the fighting worsened, but I will never buy into recent thoughts that KIDNAPPING WAS NEVER A CONSIDERATION.
I may be alone in my thoughts, but...... Now back to finding Harney.

Trust me, John, you are not alone in continuing to think that kidnapping was still an option. I have even suggested that arranging for freeing the prisoners at Elmira was part of Surratt's assignment in order to get them into Canada, rehabbed, and ready to continue the Northwest Conspiracy.

Jefferson Davis was technically still the head of the Confederacy, and we know that he wanted to continue the war via guerrilla tactics. Rehabbed prisoners already knew warfare, and Confederate gold that made it into Canada could pay for lots of things in continuing the war on a different homefront -- this one bringing the fight into Union territory (and in an area known for Copperhead support).