GDG- "Loose Bolts Sink....."

[Tom Ryan]

<<Does Conrad offer any proof that he had Sec. of War Seddon's blessings
on this mission?>>

Teej,

	I believe we have to accept Conrad as a creditable source.  There is enough
in his memoirs that can be substantiated from other sources.  Discripancies
in details he relates may reflect that his memoirs were written turn of the
century.  I suggest you read Tidwell, Hall and Gaddy's version of events
surrounding the plots to kidnap Lincoln.  They provide enough evidence that
these plots existed, and had direct Confederate government involvement.  The
story is also quite complex and difficult to describe in the short space of
an email.  It is best to read the accounts, and decide on their
acceptability.

	There is enough data available to conclude the Conrad, Stringfellow, Mosby,
the Confederate Signal Corps and Secret Service, War Department and State
Department all had an interest and a role in these plots.  One could
conclude that Robert E. Lee was not unaware of these goings on as well.

	In light of the Dahlgren affair and the desperate straits the Confederates
were in in late 1864-early 1865, it is not too difficult to perceive that
black flag operations were in play at that time.

	Here are a couple of quotes from "Come Retribution" as a teaser:

	"...Conrad wrote his 10 January letter to Seddon asking for more money to
support his operation.  This letter started a chain reaction in Richmond
which clearly established the personal involvement of President Davis,
Secretary of State Benjamin, and Secretary of War Seddon in supporting
Conrad's operation."

	"...it underlines the fact that no clandestine project got funds without
the personal approval of Jefferson Davis."

Tom