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[L Verge]

We had an excellent program at Surratt House today on "The Civil War Afloat," presented by author Andrew C.A. Jampoler, who wrote The Last Lincoln Conspirator, about the escape and capture of John Surratt, Jr. Today's talk, however, focused on both the Union and Confederate Navies.

One of the points that Andy brought out was the "wintering" of Tsar Alexander II's naval forces in New York City and San Francisco during 1863-64. After the program, I asked him about an incident that I read about years ago where one of the Russian sailors was set upon, robbed, and murdered by one or more members of an Irish gang in New York. The incident turned into a near diplomatic war over the U.S. refusing to return the sailor's body, but I cannot remember all the details. Andy had not heard about it.

For some reason, I want to say that it got so heated that Lincoln had to step in. Does anyone recall hearing this story, know what it involved, know where to find it? I promised Andy details if I ever found it again because he studies anything and everything that deals with the Navy. Guess what he did for a living.....