Civil War Secret Society: Knights of the Golden Circle

 

                The Knights of the Golden Circle, also referred to as the "Order of the Sons of Liberty"was  a secret society composed of southern sympathizers. This order got its name from their main goal: which was to establish a "Golden Circle" of land where slavery would be permitted. They supported the idea of slavery and correlated more strongly with Southern sentiments- yet preached that their cause was to expand the basis of freedoms. Although this group of knights did little to alter the actual course of history, they had many reputable members as well as "buried treasure"and enough power and influence to be, according to historians, one of the primary branches of the Ku Klux Klan. According to knightsofthegoldencircle.net, "it has been said of them [KGC] that they were one of the deadliest, wealthiest, most secretive and subversive spy and underground organization in the history of the world."
            Founded by George W. L. Bickley, this secret society was borne from the idea that Americans had the entitlement to extend areas into Central America, Cuba, and Mexico. At the start of the formation of the group, they desired to expand into these areas and run like the "East India Company". Cuba, Mexico, The Caribbean Islands etc. would then be a "Golden Circle". To them, this golden circle would be economically profitable and still allow slavery to persist.  It was operated from around 1871-1916. During the course of the civil war, they had to remain underground in their radical beliefs after the emancipation proclamation. What were their beliefs, exactly? After the war- when a separate Confederate nation was not established, and slavery was abolished- wanted to start a Civil War at a later date. The KGC transitioned from a group wanting to expand, to one which supported Southern secession and the preservation of slavery.
       In order to start a Civil War down the road and help the South realize its goals of becoming independent and revitalizing slavery, the Circle had to collect large sums of money, jewels, hold, silver, and various items. Much of their treasures and valuables coming from other sympathizers, they were able to accumulate huge amounts of guns, ammunition, uniforms, and other items to supply an army. IN order to not draw attention, the group would hide these valuables in tunnels, holes, and mines throughout the United States. Happening mainly in the Southeastern US, large stocks of these items were hid- and even are hidden today. Many individuals now actively search for this treasure.
        On a further note, while there is debate on whether Clement L. Vallandigham was a part of the KGC, www.brittanica.com states that he was a main commander in this society. Giving speeches against the war and the government, he was eventually arrested and made one of the most "hated men in the north".
        Ultimately, much of the KGC and their history remains mainly uncovered. However, I interpreted the KGC as embodying a certain important idea. In the 16 paged PDF we read on the Civil War, it talked about how the South had no factions, or political parties and remained much more individualized in the government. As a result, the disputes and arguments could not occur in a systematic and easy to follow manner. Lack of specific parties led to the South to have a weak constitutional government. There was less general diplomacy, and obviously a lessened representation of a large body of people. I saw the formation of the KGC as kind of a movement against this lack of political parties- a dangerous offset to lack of central control. While many even today search for the lost treasures once gathered to spark another war- the KGC remains one of America's best kept secrets.



Sources:
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Clement-L-Vallandigham
https://www.historicmysteries.com/knights-of-the-golden-circle/
http://knightsofthegoldencircle.net/Introduction.html
https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=vcsr&GSvcid=755868