No. 1189.]
Department of State,
Washington,
December 13, 1864.
Charles Francis Adams, Esq., &c., &c., &c.
General Townsend to Mr. Seward
War Department
Adjutant Generals Office,
Washington,
December 12, 1864.
Sir: By direction of the Secretary of War,
I have the honor to forward herewith copies of letters from Major
General Hooker and Lieutenant Colonel Hill, in relation to the
manufacture of Greek fire at Windsor, Canada, to be used in firing
certain cities of the United State by rebel emissaries.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
E. D. TOWNSEND, Assistant Adjutant
General.
Hon. Wm. H. Seward, Secretary of State.
General Hooker to
General Townsend.
Headquarters Northern
Department,
Cincinnati, Ohio,
December 6,
1864.
General: I have the honor to forward
herewith a copy of a letter, dated the 3d instant just received
from Lieutenant Colonel B. H. Hill, commanding the district of
Michigan, a it contains information of importance to all of our
frontiers bordering on Canada. The information has been
furnished by one of our most reliable detectives, and unusual
confidence may be placed in it. A few days since, advices of
similar import were received by me
[Page 37]
From the letter it will be seen that
refugees and deserters from the rebel confederacy are engaged in
the manufacture of Greek fire, at Windsor, in Canada, to
facilitate their incendiary purposes. With regard to attacks
from armed bodies of rebels I feel much less apprehension than
from individual efforts to burn and plunder our cities, as my
means of information are such that I hope to be able to
anticipate the former.
It is almost unnecessary for me to add that I have enjoined
increasing vigilance and activity on the part of the military
and civil authorities throughout my command.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOSEPH HOOKER, Major General
Com’dg.
Brig. Gen. E. D. Townsend,
Adjutant General U. S. A.
Official copy :
E. D. TOWNSEND, Asst. Adjt.
General.
Colonel Hill to
Captain Potter.
Headquarters District of
Michigan,
Detroit, Mich.,
December 3,
1864.
Sir: I have the honor to report that,
from information I have received, I am satisfied that very
extensive preparations are being made in Canada for burning not
only cities on the lakes, but others, and it is very necessary
that great precaution and vigilance should be observed
everywhere.
I have the assurance that Greek fire is being prepared in
Windsor. Buffalo, Cleveland, and this city will be the principal
cities to be burned; and there will be armed attempts to rob and
plunder. Cincinnati and Louisville are also mentioned.
I am also informed that by some means a large number of rebel
soldiers have been introduced into Canada; some, it is said,
have been furloughed and have made their way through the
lines.
I have, at this time, very excellent means of obtaining
information, and the only apprehension I have is that the person
in my employ may fail me at the last moment.
In this city I have called the attention of the hotel-keepers to
the necessity of observing great vigilance in regard to their
guests, and the hotels are daily visited by a secret agent in my
employ.
I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
B.H.HILL, Lieut. Col. 6th U. S.
Artillery, Com’dg Dist. of
Michigan.
C. H. Potter,
Captain & A. A. G., Headquarters
Northern Department, Cincinnati, Ohio.
Official copy:
E. D. TOWNSEND, Asst. Adjt.
General.
