You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly. You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
alternatehistory.com
I just watched the History Channel program "Civil War Terror" which is about various plots and actions taken by people on both sides during the war that fit the definition of terrorism. The story that I found to be the most interesting was about Confederate agent/explosives expert Thomas Harney, who planned to plant a bomb in the White House to kill Lincoln and his cabinet during a meeting scheduled on April 10th 1865.
In this thread I want everyone hear to come up with ideas about what events could have followed if Harney was successful at his mission.
OTL: On April 8th Thomas Harney and his guide Thomas Summer attempt to cross the Potomac River and travel to WashingtonDC. Harney’s plan is to sneak into the lower levels of the White House to plant a bomb that will destroy its south west corner during a meeting between Lincoln and his cabinet on the 10th. Yet during their attempt at crossing they are spotted and captured by a Union scouting party.
PoD: On April 8th Harney and Summers successfully cross the Potomac by avoiding the Union Scouts. They successfully make it to DC where Harney and some aids sneak into the lower levels of the White House, and plant timed charges. The explosives go off and successfully kill President Lincoln and the present cabinet members.
I'd like to ask any members here who may have more knowledge on this same event than I to provide any info that could help develop this timeline. Such as whether or not the entire cabinet showed up to this meeting in OTL or not and thus would be there after my POD. As well I’d like to mention that no other events besides the above are meant to be changed before the 10th. So that means that Lee still surrendered on the 9th in this timeline. This should make things more interesting.
·Who will be the next Union President? ·Will they give into southern peace pushers now fearful of a south that could strike anywhere? ·Will they continue the war with a new hatred and vigor inspired by this attack on the heart of the Union? ·What new plans may be set up by southern leaders to take advantage of the Union’s weak state?