The Confederate Army of Manhattan, an obscure band of operatives, conducted one of the most audacious attacks on New York City in late November 1864. As the Civil War raged, the Confederacy aimed to instigate panic and chaos in the North, striking at one of its largest cities. On this day, Confederate sympathizers and agents conspired to set fires at numerous locations within Manhattan, intending to create widespread destruction. The firebombing included key locations such as hotels, warehouses, and bridges, with the hopes of crippling the city’s infrastructure and economy.

The intricate plan involved multiple teams who ignited fires in rapid succession across the city. However, the goal of a citywide inferno was thwarted by the quick response of local firefighters and the relatively limited resources at the insurgents’ disposal. The various blazes were extinguished before they could spread significantly, which minimized the overall damage. In the aftermath, the attempt drew attention to the vulnerabilities of urban centers during wartime and underscored the lengths to which Confederate forces were willing to go to fight against the Union.

The fire-setting incident reflected a broader context of total warfare that was increasingly seen during the Civil War. Strategies employed by both sides began to target civilian infrastructure, as the lines between combatants and civilians became intertwined. This event served as a reminder of the civil strife that permeated even the hustle and bustle of urban life, suggesting that no place, no matter how remote from the front lines, was safe from the consequences of the war. The attempted incineration of New York City also caused a wave of paranoia regarding security, prompting greater vigilance against sabotage and espionage efforts in the North.