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Meanwhile, Georg and the other Confederate spies were hidden in the trees surrounding the Treasury Building on Wall Street. They were observing the guards as they began erecting barricades against the anti-draft rioters.
Richard Cordwell happened to be walking outside the Treasury Building not knowing the Confederate spies were observing him. Scotland Yard had dispatched him to America to advise the United States government about Emperor Napoleon III’s plan for the conquest of Mexico. But as part of his assignment, he successfully oversaw the delivery of Her Majesty’s latest gold shipment from Liverpool to New York City. The British Government’s gold bullion was to be stored in the Treasury Building. He was nonchalantly smoking and watching the soldiers put up the barricades in the streets.
As he walked around the building, he observed the glow in the distance from the fires set by the rampaging anti-draft mob. He carefully inspected his revolver to make sure it was loaded. Next, he bummed some more tobacco from a sentry on duty posted in front of the building to roll another cigarette.
The sentry had been ordered to stand guard by General Burnett of the New York City Volunteer Militia. General Burnett formed a small militia of volunteers from New York City when the riots began. He was concerned there would be an attack on the Treasury Building or the adjacent Assay office. General Burnett had found a large howitzer cannon in the New York Armory and instructed it to be placed in front of the Treasury building for defense against the mob.
Richard Cordwell stubbed out his cigarette and went back inside. He went partly down the stairs to the basement vault and made himself comfortable. He suspected it would be an eventful few days as the rioting continued and he wanted to get some rest.
Meantime, Georg ordered his men to keep watch on the building and stay out of sight while he and the lieutenant would forage for some food and water. Before Georg left, he noticed there was only one soldier patrolling the side door. General Burnett only feared an attack from the rioters to the front of the building and left the side door relatively undefended. Georg smiled at this oversight as he and his lieutenant walked back into the city.
