rebels threaten frontier

threatened by rebels – Oswego, NY c.1855

It seems like the Confederates were under siege or on their heels just about everywhere 150 years ago this week. … except for Canada?

From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in March 1865:

FRONTIER DEFENCES. – Brig. Gen. John A. Green, Jr., of Syracuse, in pursuance of orders from the Government and in view of an alleged Confederate raid on Oswego, on Thursday, detailed a portion of the 48th Regiment, commanded by Col. Beckworth, for active duty in frontier service at Oswego.

From the Richmond Daily Dispatch March 9, 1865:

Another raid.

A dispatch from Oswego, New York, dated March 4th, says:

Mayor Grant has received a dispatch from Governor Fenton, stating that the War Department has received information from Halifax that the rebels in the Provinces are contemplating a raid on Oswego and Rochester. A public meeting is to be held this afternoon, to take such steps as may be necessary.

From the Richmond Daily Dispatch March 13, 1865:

Miscellaneous.

A man named Clemens has been arrested and committed to prison in Washington on the charge of having made threats to assassinate President Lincoln on Saturday last during the progress of the inauguration ceremonies. …

The citizens of Oswego held a meeting on the 7th, at which the Mayor presided, for the purpose of adopting measures for the better defence of the city from the anticipated rebel raid from Canada. A sufficient force had been detailed from Fort Ontario to patrol the streets at night. …

The Vice-President did not make his appearance in the Senate on Wednesday in consequence of a more severe attack of his incoherent ideas yesterday than on Saturday last.

The President on Saturday took the oath of office with his hand on the open Bible, according to custom. Mr. Middleton, the Clerk of the Supreme Court, had opened it, but without premeditation, at the fifth chapter of Isaiah. …

The oil fever in West Virginia is on the increase, and land is changing hands by whole counties. Many tracts have been resold two or three times within the last three months–double the cost price at each sale.

Secretary of State Seward got word of the possible rebel attack from Canada in February. From The New-York Times March 12, 1865:

The Threatened Raid on Oswego and Rochester.

The following is the warning from Secretary SEWARD, conveyed by Gov. FENTON to the Mayors of Oswego and Rochester:

DEPARTMENT OF STATE, WASHINGTON, Feb. 23, 1865.

To His Excellency R.E. Fenton, Governor of the State of New-York, Albany, N.Y.

SIR: I have the honor to acquaint you with reference to the plans of the insurgents in Canada against the frontier of the United States, that I am informed by a dispatch of the 13th inst., from M.M., JACKSON, Esq., United States Consul at Halifax, that they await the result of the judicial proceedings in the Canadian courts in the case of the St. Albans felons. They aver, however, that the result of those proceedings will not defeat their plans, and at the earliest practicable period they will attempt to carry them into execution. One of the towns alleged to be the object of their attack is Oswego, N.Y. Rochester is also threatened. The headquarters of these parties are reported to be at Toronto, Hamilton, Kingston and other towns upon or in the vicinity of the Canadian border. It is stated that their objects are to plunder and injure the people of the loyal States, and to create trouble — it possible, war — between the United States and Great Britain.

I have the honor to be Your Excellency’s very obedient servant, WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

Fort Ontario on western edge