Lincoln Kidnap Tries

[Gene C]

(08-04-2015 06:18 AM)Wild Bill Wrote:  John:

You seem to have trouble with what the Rebs would do with Lincoln if the North refused to deal with them to "ransom" Lincoln. Very simple. They would have put him up for trial for starting the War and engaging in war crimes against Confederate civilians and hanged him like any common criminal, which they thought him to be.

I tend to disagree with you, but more because of the political damage this would cause the south. IMO the Rebels would have a hard time with what to do with Lincoln. This would certainly destroy any hope they had towards foreign intervention. This trial and execution might be what Davis and Benjamin would prefer, but at this point in the war, they were not popular at all in the south and didn't have the political strength they had early in the war. They might not get their way. Lincoln might possibly be left in prison somewhat the way Davis was after the war.

But on the other hand, "desperate people take desperate measures" and "a drowning man will clutch at a straw"

Interesting to speculate about.