If at first you don't succeed?
The layout of Camp Douglas, 1863
The second attempt to release the Confederate POWs at Camp Douglas was once again centered around a huge political event—this time, the presidential election (between Republicans Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson, and Democrats George McClellan and George Pendleton), on November 8th, 1864. Captain Hines was once again in charge, and, although none of the Copperheads who took part in the first Camp Douglas Conspiracy ever expected to invade the POW camp again, Hines had been planning since the failure at the Democratic Convention. He gathered together fellow military leaders throughout the Midwest and conspired to free the POWs for a second time. Hines also ordered for Confederate generals to travel to the North specifically to command the POWs upon their release and lead them back to the South.
Hines’ reasoning to free the prisoners on the day of the presidential election was similar to his reasoning for freeing them on the day of the Democratic Convention: the conspirators needed to get a lot of Copperheads into Chicago to infiltrate Camp Douglas, and they would be less noticeable while a lot of visitors were in the city for the election, and on a day when many government and military officials were distracted by election happenings. Also, Hines also needed to get the escaped prisoners into Chicago once his scheme was complete. Leading up to the election, many Copperheads living in Chicago offered their homes to other conspirators, and many spies stealthily snuck them into the city. In addition, these spies helped to steal and smuggle in guns, weapons, ammunition, and other military supplies, which they stored inconspicuously in the homes of these ordinary Copperhead Chicago citizens.
Everything seemed to be going to plan—until Colonel Benjamin Sweet, the commander of Camp Douglas, heard about the plans of Hines and the Copperheads. On November 5th, Sweet and other Union troops captured conspirators and nearly all of the military supplies meant to aid in the invasion of Camp Douglas. Those captured included Charles Walsh, one of the most well-known leaders of the Sons of Liberty.
Yet again, the Copperheads didn’t even make it to Camp Douglas! In addition, many historians claim that the Camp Douglas Conspiracy didn't even exist: that its details were exaggerated and made up by Sweet as a reason to attack Copperheads.
Hines’ reasoning to free the prisoners on the day of the presidential election was similar to his reasoning for freeing them on the day of the Democratic Convention: the conspirators needed to get a lot of Copperheads into Chicago to infiltrate Camp Douglas, and they would be less noticeable while a lot of visitors were in the city for the election, and on a day when many government and military officials were distracted by election happenings. Also, Hines also needed to get the escaped prisoners into Chicago once his scheme was complete. Leading up to the election, many Copperheads living in Chicago offered their homes to other conspirators, and many spies stealthily snuck them into the city. In addition, these spies helped to steal and smuggle in guns, weapons, ammunition, and other military supplies, which they stored inconspicuously in the homes of these ordinary Copperhead Chicago citizens.
Everything seemed to be going to plan—until Colonel Benjamin Sweet, the commander of Camp Douglas, heard about the plans of Hines and the Copperheads. On November 5th, Sweet and other Union troops captured conspirators and nearly all of the military supplies meant to aid in the invasion of Camp Douglas. Those captured included Charles Walsh, one of the most well-known leaders of the Sons of Liberty.
Yet again, the Copperheads didn’t even make it to Camp Douglas! In addition, many historians claim that the Camp Douglas Conspiracy didn't even exist: that its details were exaggerated and made up by Sweet as a reason to attack Copperheads.
Find out more about the Camp Douglas Conspiracies!
If you want to find out more about the details of both Camp Douglas Conspiracies:
http://www.authorama.com/north-western-conspiracy-12.html
If you want to learn more about Hines' communications with other Confederate leaders:
http://books.google.com/books?id=9z93AAAAMAAJ&pg=PA219&lpg=PA219&dq=In+passing+through+the+United+States+you+will+confer+with+the+leading+persons+friendly+or+attached+to+the+cause+of+the+Confederacy,+or+who+may+be+advocates+of+peace,+and+do+all+in+your+power+to+induce+our+friends+to+organize+and+prepare+themselves+to+render+such+aid+as+circumstances+may+allow&source=bl&ots=coGusg20iE&sig=p3dcNX1A4DZUbwql-IW0iQR9xOc&hl=en&sa=X&ei=jUK0UOGoJZOy8ASWm4BA&ved=0CC8Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false
If you want to learn more about the Confederate Mound:
http://graveyards.com/IL/Cook/oakwoods/confederate.html
If you want to read a discussion between Chicagoans about the whereabouts of Camp Douglas today:
http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-13875.html
http://www.authorama.com/north-western-conspiracy-12.html
If you want to learn more about Hines' communications with other Confederate leaders:
http://books.google.com/books?id=9z93AAAAMAAJ&pg=PA219&lpg=PA219&dq=In+passing+through+the+United+States+you+will+confer+with+the+leading+persons+friendly+or+attached+to+the+cause+of+the+Confederacy,+or+who+may+be+advocates+of+peace,+and+do+all+in+your+power+to+induce+our+friends+to+organize+and+prepare+themselves+to+render+such+aid+as+circumstances+may+allow&source=bl&ots=coGusg20iE&sig=p3dcNX1A4DZUbwql-IW0iQR9xOc&hl=en&sa=X&ei=jUK0UOGoJZOy8ASWm4BA&ved=0CC8Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false
If you want to learn more about the Confederate Mound:
http://graveyards.com/IL/Cook/oakwoods/confederate.html
If you want to read a discussion between Chicagoans about the whereabouts of Camp Douglas today:
http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-13875.html