NF The Halifax Connection

[CanadianCanuck]

As some may know, Canada was a hot bed for Southern sympathizers and spies who used the shield of British neutrality to conduct extensive spying operations and launch various raids into Union territory. It was through the actions of Union agents, but also Canadian detectives and spies, through which many Confederate plots were variously foiled.

There is some great commentary in books through Amanda Foreman's A World on Fire and Greg Marquis In Armageddon's Shadow which tells the tale of the Maritime Provinces in the Civil War. However, today I recommend to you The Halifax Connection by Marie Jakober.

I've reviewed the book myself, but a brief bit about it here.

It is told from a unique British/Canadian perspective. Halifax was, like Havana, a haven for spies and blockade runners or merchants who were otherwise well disposed towards the South. With the turned eye of the British authorities there were many challenges to neutrality, and many Haligonians offered their services to Dixie. Many others however, offered their hands to the North.

Here we follow the adventures of a British lad who, in need of some extra cash and adventure, is reluctantly led to spy for the Union cause. Moving his way through the ranks of the 'Grey Tories' (a term of the author's invention) who are sympathetic to the South or harbor agents. Involved in a number of plots and schemes he is dragged into both real and fictional, though nothing in the novel is not based on real events.

For me it's an impressive piece. The characters all ring true, and you feel as though you are indeed being transported to 1860s Canada, from Montreal to Halifax, you get a sense for life in the region, and even though we hear much about the war, we never once have our characters set foot on American soil. The war through foreign eyes is quite a novel experience, and the trade of spycraft is somewhat explored.

The only real criticism I might make is that the main characters are caught up almost too much in their own love affair, rather than in all the spying. Otherwise though, it runs as a solid story. I'd heartily recommend it to anyone looking for a good narrative of the war through Anglo-Canadian eyes!

 

[Canadian]

Thanks for this review. Certainly there were an astonishing number of Confederate sympathizers in Canada, which has often puzzled me.

 

[CanadianCanuck]

Thanks for this review. Certainly there were an astonishing number of Confederate sympathizers in Canada, which has often puzzled me.

Not so much of a stumper once I read up on it. Before the historical Trent affair, most Canadians maintained something of a studied neutrality. However, the historic war scare pushed many into overt hostility to the Union which brought a wellspring of support for exiled Confederates and made the work of their agents surprisingly easy for most of 1862.

The diplomatic situation changed in 1863 (Laird Rams, Chesapeake Affair, Gettysburg/Vicksburg) which dampened the ardor of some, but a lot of the upper crust became dyed in the wool Confederate sympathizers because of pre-existing prejudices. I'd venture to say that the majority of the population placed their sympathies with the Union, but did not necessarily have cause to regret a split in their neighbor to the south.

 

[Canadian]

Tr

Not so much of a stumper once I read up on it. Before the historical Trent affair, most Canadians maintained something of a studied neutrality. However, the historic war scare pushed many into overt hostility to the Union which brought a wellspring of support for exiled Confederates and made the work of their agents surprisingly easy for most of 1862.

The diplomatic situation changed in 1863 (Laird Rams, Chesapeake Affair, Gettysburg/Vicksburg) which dampened the ardor of some, but a lot of the upper crust became dyed in the wool Confederate sympathizers because of pre-existing prejudices. I'd venture to say that the majority of the population placed their sympathies with the Union, but did not necessarily have cause to regret a split in their neighbor to the south.

I can see why they might have wanted to see a split in the union, given the prevalence of expansionist designs on Canada. They might have preferred a weaker neighbour.

 

[CanadianCanuck]

Tr

I can see why they might have wanted to see a split in the union, given the prevalence of expansionist designs on Canada. They might have preferred a weaker neighbour.

London also wouldn't have minded (would have made North American relations simpler) but they definitely didn't want to fight a war to do it.