Devil's Game: The Civil War Intrigues of Charles A. Dunham

327 Pages·2004·3.988 MB·English

by  Carman Cumming

’
DEVIL S GAME
The Civil War Intrigues
of Charles A. Dunham
Carman Cumming
devil’s game
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Devil’s Game
The Civil War Intrigues of
Charles A. Dunham
carman cumming
university of illinois press
urbana and chicago
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© 2004 by the Board of Trustees
of the University of Illinois
All rights reserved
Manufactured in the United States of America
c 5 4 3 2 1
∞ This book is printed on acid-free paper.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Cumming, Carman.
Devil’s game : the Civil War intrigues of Charles A. Dunham /
Carman Cumming.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
isbn 0-252-02890-2 (cloth : alk. paper)
1. Dunham, Charles A., 1832–1900.
2. United States—History—Civil War, 1861–1865—Biography.
3. Spies—United States—Biography.
4. Spies—Confederate States of America—Biography.
5. Journalists—United States—Biography.
6. Swindlers and swindling—United States—Biography.
7. United States—History—Civil War, 1861–1865—Underground movements.
8. United States—History—Civil War, 1861–1865—Journalists.
9. Lincoln, Abraham, 1809–1865—Assassination.
10. Perjury—United States—History—19th century.
I. Title.
e467.1.d89c86 2004
973.7'86'092—dc21 2003010414
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To Joseph Edward Missemer,
who died without finishing his research
on Charles A. Dunham
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I do not believe in fighting the Devil with fair play and honesty,
and claim the right to use his own weapons.
—Charles A. Dunham
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contents
Preface xi
Acknowledgments xv
1. Chameleon 1
2. “Cheats and Forgeries” 20
3. Castle Thunder 35
4. Reptile Journalist 56
5. Southern Life 81
6. Fire in the Rear 95
7. A Message from Richmond 123
8. “Private Business” 145
9. School for Perjury 160
10. Plots “Shrewd and Devilish” 181
11. Scorpions in a Bottle 199
12. Impeachment 213
13. “Protean Maneuvers” 238
14. Letters from Albany 247
Notes 263
Bibliography 291
Index 297
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