The Montreal Link

[L Verge]

(06-15-2018 04:15 PM)AussieMick Wrote:  Ok, I hope this doesnt drift into too much of a tangent from the Montreal Link....

In D.H Donald's "Lincoln" (which I think is a great book) Pages 677-678 there is detail on a proposal to kidnap Lincoln. Quoting from the Southern Historical Collection, it says Davis discussed the proposal with his "young adjutant" Colonel Walter H. Taylor. Davis reported the conversation to his wife and said Taylor was a 'brave man' but the proposal was dropped because it would have meant Lincoln being killed.

Now, it does seem to me that this reference to Walter H Taylor is wrong. I think it was Major General Joseph Walker Taylor. As detailed here. Page 2.
MAJOR WALKER TAYLOR, C.S.A

Note the reference to Davis aide de camp, Colonel Johnston. And the fact that this Joseph Walker Taylor was somehow connected to Davis first wife, Sarah Knox Taylor, a daughter of Zachary Taylor (so may have well discussed the conversation later with his second wife, Varina).

It does seem strange that Donald would have made such an error. But it should be noted that Lt Colonel Walter H. Taylor was , after the war, very involved in detailing all he knew about events and controversies. And yet (as far as I know) makes no mention of he himself discussing a kidnapping with Davis.

I believe you are absolutely correct; and I'm not surprised that Donald would make such an error. My apologies to all, but many Lincoln scholars are not well-versed in the Lincoln conspiracy.

As for Joseph Walker Taylor, many of us believe that he was the first to suggest any action (this time abduction) against Lincoln. As you said, Davis rejected his idea based on an outcome worse than abduction. It was still early enough in the war that "gentleman warfare" was still practiced - not black flag warfare.

I hope that Ed Steers will join in this thread because I believe he covered Walker in Blood on the Moon.