NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Knights of the Golden Circle

The Knights of the Golden Circle (KGC) was a secret society originally founded to promote Southern interests and prepare the way for annexation of a "golden circle" of territories in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean which would be included into the United States as southern or slave states. During the American Civil War, Southern sympathizers in the North, known as "Copperheads," were accused of belonging to the Knights of the Golden Circle. By 1863, membership in organizations influenced by it came to include many citizens and active politicians north of the Ohio River. A secret society is an organization that requires its members to conceal certain activitiesâ€”such as rites of initiationâ€”from outsiders. ... Southern United States The states shown in dark red are usually included in the South, while all or portions of the striped states may or may not be considered part of the Southern United States. ... The Golden Circle was a territory which consisted of the slave-owning territories of the United States prior to the Civil War, and adjacent areas outside of the United States. ... Map of Central America Central America is a central region of the Americas. ... Central America and the Caribbean (detailed pdf map) The Caribbean (Spanish: Caribe; French: CaraÃ¯be; Dutch: CaraÃ¯ben; Portuguese: Caribe or CaraÃbas) is a region of the Americas consisting of the Caribbean Sea, its islands (most of which enclose the sea), and the surrounding coasts. ... A slave state is a U.S. State that had legal slavery (overwhelmingly the enslavement of African-Americans, although historically also the enslavement of Native Americans, and Whites through indentured servitude) in the period leading up to the American Civil War and the Emancipation Proclamation. ... Combatants United States of America (Union) Confederate States of America (Confederacy) Commanders Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee Strength 2,200,000 1,064,000 Casualties Killed in action: 110,000 Total dead: 360,000 Wounded: 275,200 Killed in action: 93,000 Total dead: 258... Regional definitions vary from source to source. ... The Copperheads were a group of Northern Democrats who opposed the American Civil War, wanting an immediate peace settlement with the Confederates. ... Ohio River viewed from Liberty Hill in Ripley, Ohio. ...

Early history

The association was founded by George W. L. Bickley, a Virginia-born doctor, editor, and "adventurer" who lived in Cincinnati. He organized the first castle, or local branch, in Cincinnati in 1854 and soon took the order to the South, where it was well received. It grew slowly until 1859 and reached its height in 1860. George Washington Lafayette Bickley was the founder of the Knights of the Golden Circle around the time of the American Civil War. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... Nickname: The Queen City Location in Hamilton County, Ohio Coordinates: Country United States State Ohio County Hamilton Founded 1788 Incorporated 1819 Mayor Mark L. Mallory (D) Area - City 206. ...

Its original object was to provide a force to colonize the northern part of Mexico and the West Indies and thus extend pro-slavery interests, and the Knights became especially active in Texas. Bickley's main goal was the annexation of Mexico. Hounded by creditors, he left Cincinnati in the late 1850s and traveled through the East and South promoting an expedition to seize Mexico and establish a new territory for slavery. He found his greatest support in Texas and managed within a short time to organize thirty-two chapters there. The Caribbean or the West Indies is a group of islands in the Caribbean Sea. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ...

In the spring of 1860, the group made the first of two attempts to invade Mexico from Texas. A small band reached the Rio Grande, but failed. The Rio Grande flowing in Big Bend National Park The Rio Grande in its lower course, between Matamoros and Brownsville Known as the Rio Grande in the United States and as the RÃo Bravo (or, more formally, the RÃo Bravo del Norte) in Mexico, the river, 3,034...

Civil War and demise

The South’s secession and the outbreak of the Civil War prompted a shift in the group's aims from freebooting in Mexico to support of the new Confederate government. For example, on February 15, 1861, Texas Ranger Ben McCulloch began marching toward the Federal arsenal at San Antonio, Texas, with a cavalry force of about 550 men, about 150 of whom were Knights of the Golden Circle representing six different castles. While volunteers continued to join McCulloch the following day, U.S. Army Gen. David E. Twiggs decided to surrender the arsenal peacefully to the secessionists. The examples and perspective in this article or section may not represent a worldwide view. ... Motto: Deo Vindice (Latin: With God As Our Vindicator) Anthem: God Save the South (unofficial) Dixie (popular) The Bonnie Blue Flag (popular) Capital Montgomery, Alabama February 4, 1861â€“May 29, 1861 Richmond, Virginia May 29, 1861â€“April 9, 1865 Danville, Virginia April 3â€“April 10, 1865 Largest city New Orleans... February 15 is the 46th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1861 is a common year starting on Tuesday. ... Texas Rangers, a body of law enforcement in the state of Texas which is the oldest law enforcement body in North America with statewide jurisdiction and serves as a State Bureau of Investigation. ... Benjamin McCulloch was a soldier in the Texas Revolution, Texas Ranger, U.S. marshal, and brigadier general in the army of the Confederate States during the American Civil War. ... Flag Seal Nickname: Alamo City Location Location in the state of Texas Coordinates , Government Counties Bexar County Mayor Phil Hardberger Geographical characteristics Area City 1067. ... Kircholm, a 1925 painting by Wojciech Kossak. ... The Army is the branch of the United States armed forces which has primary responsibility for land-based military operations. ... David Emanuel Twiggs (1790 â€“ July 15, 1862) was a United States soldier during the War of 1812 and Mexican War and a general in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. ...

KGC members also figured prominently among those who, in 1861, joined Lt. Col. John Robert Baylor in his temporarily successful takeover of southern New Mexico Territory, while other KGC members followed Brig. Gen. Henry Hopkins Sibley on the 1862 New Mexico Campaign, which sought to bring the whole New Mexico Territory into the Confederate fold. In fact, both Baylor and Trevanion Teel, Sibley's captain of artillery, had been among the KGC members who rode with Ben McCulloch. John Robert Baylor (July 27, 1822â€“February 8, 1894) was an officer from Texas for the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War. ... The New Mexico Territory became an organized territory of the United States on September 9, 1850, and it existed until New Mexico became the 47th state on January 6, 1912. ... A Brigadier General, or one-star general, is the lowest rank of general officer in the United States and some other countries, ranking just above Colonel and just below Major General. ... Portrait of Henry Hopkins Sibley by Mathew Brady, ca. ... The New Mexico Campaign was a military operation of the American Civil War in February-March 1862 in which the Confederate Brigadier General Henry Hopkins Sibley invaded the northern New Mexico Territory in an attempt to gain control of the southwest, including the gold fields of Colorado and the ports... This article concerns the rank and title of Captain. ... A 155 mm artillery shell fired by a United States 11th Marine regiment M-198 howitzer Historically, artillery refers to any engine used for the discharge of projectiles during war. ...

Appealing to the Confederacy's friends in the North, particularly in areas that were suffering economic dislocation, the Order soon spread to Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, and Missouri. Its membership in these states, where it became strongest, was largely composed of Peace Democrats, who felt that the Civil War was a mistake and that the increasing power of the Federal government was leading to tyranny. In the summer of 1863, a military draft that had been authorized by Congress was put into operation by President Lincoln. This act, together with the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus, the arrest of seditious persons, and other measures that the Government deemed necessary for the maintenance of national authority, were denounced by the leaders of the party opposed to Lincoln's administration as unconstitutional and outrageous. Official language(s) English Capital Frankfort Largest city Louisville Area Ranked 37th - Total 40,444 sq mi (104,749 kmÂ²) - Width 140 miles (225 km) - Length 379 miles (610 km) - % water 1. ... Official language(s) English Capital Indianapolis Largest city Indianapolis Area Ranked 38th - Total 36,418 sq mi (94,321 kmÂ²) - Width 140 miles (225 km) - Length 270 miles (435 km) - % water 1. ... Official language(s) None Capital Columbus Largest city Columbus Largest metro area Cleveland Area Ranked 34th - Total 44,825 sq mi (116,096 kmÂ²) - Width 220 miles (355 km) - Length 220 miles (355 km) - % water 8. ... Official language(s) English Capital Springfield Largest city Chicago Area Ranked 25th - Total 57,918 sq mi (149,998 kmÂ²) - Width 210 miles (340 km) - Length 390 miles (629 km) - % water 4. ... Official language(s) None Capital Jefferson City Largest city Kansas City Largest metro area St. ... The Copperheads were a group of Northern Democrats who opposed the American Civil War, wanting an immediate peace settlement with the Confederates. ... A tyrant (from Greek τυραννος) is a usurper of rightful power, possessing absolute power and ruling by tyranny. ... Conscription is a general term for forced labor demanded by some established authority, e. ... Congress in Joint Session. ... Abraham Lincoln (February 12, 1809–April 15, 1865), sometimes called Abe Lincoln and nicknamed Honest Abe, the Rail Splitter, and the Great Emancipator, was the 16th (1861–1865) President of the United States, and the first president from the Republican Party. ... For other uses, see Habeas corpus (disambiguation). ... Constitutionality is the status of a law, procedure, or act being in accordance with the laws or guidelines contained in a constitution. ...

During the 1863 Gettysburg Campaign, scam artists in south-central Pennsylvania sold fearful Pennsylvania Dutch farmers paper tickets purported to be from the Knights of the Golden Circle for a dollar. Along with a series of secret hand gestures, these tickets were supposed to protect the possessions and horses of the ticket holders from seizure by invading Confederate soldiers.^[1] When Jubal Early's infantry division passed through York County, Pennsylvania, they scoffed at these ticket holders and took what they wanted anyway, often paying with Confederate currency or drafts on the Confederate government. Cavalry commander J.E.B. Stuart also reported these alleged KGC tickets in his official report on the campaign.^[2] 1863 (MDCCCLXIII) is a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Saturday of the Julian calendar). ... Meade and Lee of Gettysburg Gettysburg Campaign (through July 3); cavalry movements shown with dashed lines. ... Official language(s) None Capital Harrisburg Largest city Philadelphia Area Ranked 33rd - Total 46,055 sq mi (119,283 kmÂ²) - Width 160 miles (255 km) - Length 280 miles (455 km) - % water 2. ... The Pennsylvania Dutch (perhaps more strictly Pennsylvania Deitsch or Pennsylvanian German) are descendants of German speaking immigrants who came to Pennsylvania in the early 1700s. ... The name Jubal Early may refer to: Jubal Anderson Early - a Confederate General during the American Civil War Jubal Early - a character on the Firefly television series. ... Infantry of the Royal Irish Rifles during the Battle of the Somme in World War I. Infantry are soldiers who fight primarily on foot with small arms in organized military units, though they may be transported to the battlefield by horses, ships, automobiles, skis, or other means. ... Symbol of the Polish 1st Legions Infantry Division in NATO code A division is a large military unit or formation usually consisting of around ten to fifteen thousand soldiers. ... York County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. ... Kircholm, a 1925 painting by Wojciech Kossak. ... James Ewell Brown Stuart (February 6, 1833 â€“ May 12, 1864) was an American soldier from Virginia and a Confederate Army general during the American Civil War. ...

In late 1863, the Knights of the Golden Circle was reorganized as the Order of American Knights and again, early in 1864, as the Order of the Sons of Liberty, with Ohio politician Clement L. Vallandigham, most prominent of the Copperheads, as its supreme commander. In most areas only a minority of its membership was radical enough to discourage enlistments, resist the draft, and shield deserters. Numerous peace meetings were held and a few agitators, some of them encouraged by Southern money, talked of a revolt in the Old Northwest, which, if brought about, would have ended the war. Southern newspapers wishfully reported stories of widespread disaffection, and John Hunt Morgan's 1863 Great Raid into Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio was undertaken in the expectation that the disaffected element would rally to his standard. Governor Oliver P. Morton of Indiana and General Henry B. Carrington effectively curbed the Sons of Liberty in that state in the fall of 1864. With mounting Union victories late in 1864, the order's agitation for a negotiated peace lost appeal, and officially dissolved. Clement Laird Vallandigham (velan´digham, -gam) (July 29, 1820 - June 17, 1871), a key leader of the Copperheads in the American Civil War, was born in New Lisbon (now Lisbon), Ohio. ... Confederate Brigadier General John Hunt Morgan John Hunt Morgan (June 1, 1825 â€“ September 4, 1864) was a Confederate general and cavalry officer in the American Civil War. ... 1863 (MDCCCLXIII) is a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Saturday of the Julian calendar). ... Confederate Brigadier General John Hunt Morgan Morgans Raid was a highly publicized incursion by Confederate cavalry into the Northern states of Indiana and Ohio during the American Civil War. ... Official language(s) English Capital Frankfort Largest city Louisville Area Ranked 37th - Total 40,444 sq mi (104,749 kmÂ²) - Width 140 miles (225 km) - Length 379 miles (610 km) - % water 1. ... Official language(s) English Capital Indianapolis Largest city Indianapolis Area Ranked 38th - Total 36,418 sq mi (94,321 kmÂ²) - Width 140 miles (225 km) - Length 270 miles (435 km) - % water 1. ... Oliver Hazard Perry Throck Morton (August 4, 1823–November 1, 1877) was a U.S. politician of the Republican Party. ... Official language(s) English Capital Indianapolis Largest city Indianapolis Area Ranked 38th - Total 36,418 sq mi (94,321 kmÂ²) - Width 140 miles (225 km) - Length 270 miles (435 km) - % water 1. ... Henry Beebee Carrington (1824â€“1912) was born in Wallingford, Connecticut. ... 1864 (MDCCCLXIV) was a leap year starting on Friday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar or a leap year starting on Sunday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar. ... Map of the division of the states during the Civil War. ...

Post Civil War

There exist reports of the KGC continuing after 1864 as a secret group which planning to start fighting the Civil War again, as soon as a generation or two had passed and they had regained their manpower and resources.

Famous members

The Confederados are a cultural sub-group in the nation of Brazil. ... Jesse James. ... John Wilkes Booth John Wilkes Booth (May 10, 1838 â€“ April 26, 1865) was an American actor who is most famous for assassinating Abraham Lincoln. ... William Walker William Walker (May 8, 1824 - September 12, 1860) was a U.S. physician, lawyer, journalist, mercenary and soldier of fortune who attempted to conquer several Latin American countries in the mid-19th century. ...

Sources

Links

The Golden Circle was a territory which consisted of the slave-owning territories of the United States prior to the Civil War, and adjacent areas outside of the United States. ...

Notes

Categories: 1835 establishments | American Civil War | Secret societies | Bleeding Kansas | Ohio in the Civil War | Pennsylvania in the Civil War | Indiana in the Civil War | Texas in the Civil War | California in the Civil War The Official Records of the American Civil War or often more simply the Official Records or ORs, constitute a unique, authentic, and comprehensive collection of first-hand accounts, orders, reports, and correspondence drawn from War and Navy Department records of both Confederate and Union governments during the American Civil War. ...

Contents

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