GDG- Re: Defeat of AoP, Recognition by Britain

[Tom Ryan]

One other thought on the diplomatic issue, the bloody battles in late 1862
and early 1863 in which the South suffered heavy casualties motivated the
Confederate government to send agents to Ireland in late 1863 to
propagandize against the emigration of young Irishmen to America -- many of
whom were immediately signing up to serve in the Union army.  While the
North was replenishing their losses through immigration, the South had no
similar way to replace their losses.

This effort went on for several months.  The agents worked with a
sympathetic press and the Catholic Church for the most part.  The press
favored the South, and the Catholic authorities wanted to stem the loss of
parishioners from their country.

The effort failed, however, primarily because the economic situation in
Ireland at the time was so destitute, the people were leaving by the
thousands.

The South grew desperate at this point, and turned away from its diplomatic
efforts in Europe.  Instead, it began a program based in Canada designed to
undermine the stability of the U.S. through a series of covert operations.

Tom Ryan