, 1862-07-25
THE CAMP DOUGLAS DISTURBANCE,
ESCAPE OF PRISONERS.

The affatr at Camp Douglas on Wednesday
night turns out to have been more serious
than we had at first imagined, but not as bad
as the ridiculous and exaggerated stories which
drove the people half crazy, and peop1ed the
South Division with ten thousand rebels about
to sack and rayage the city. The stringent
discipline Of the camp and the secrecy epjoin-
ed upon the guards as to all matters transpfr-
Ing within, prevent us from obtaining the de-
tails Of the escapade, but from other sources
We gather the following items Of general 10
terest, which in the main may be relied upon
as correct. And in this connection We can-
not but inyeigh against this mysterious &c.
creey In matters of such vital importance.
We have no disposition to pry into the mill
tary business Of the camp, but when an Incl
dent ranspires which CONCERNS the entire city,
1t is but proper that citizens should be Off
cia11y notified of the fbcts and not left to ru-
mors aud wild stories.
The escapade Was undoubtedly the result Of
concerted movement between outside seces-
eion sympathizers and the rebels within, aud
the whole affair Was planned most systemRti-
cally. Before the outbreak, parties we're ssen
myBterious1y Ekulking about in the Cottage
Grove woods, who attracted attention by their
etudious efforts to avoid It. One Of these par
ties Was hailed by an officer, and replied By
hur1ing brick at him. He promptly replied
with his revolver, but the party escaped with
out injury. The fence was assailed in its
weakest part upon the western boundary, and
scaled by means Of ladders which the rebels
had constructed out Of their bunks. In their
fight they we're aided by one at Least Of the
guards, who not only winked at their escape,
but fed with them, leaving his uniform behind
him. 4 Aportion only OF the rebels Joined In
the attempt. They made rush for the fence
with their ladders. The guards guve tho
alarm. The long roll Was sounded. Tho can
non was fred as q signal for distant patrols.
| The utmost excitement prevailed, but the
prompt actton Of the soldiers prevented the
entire success of the rebel programme. About
thirty yolleys we're fred at the fugacIous Sc
cesh, but unfortunately killing none Of them.
Fifteen certainly, and some say twenty or
| thirty, managed to effect their escape, three Or
| four of whom were recaptured yesterday. The
firing cooled their ardor, aud the ma1contents
| returned to their quarters. The completely Of
| outside ,part1es was manifest even after the
| failure Of the plan Signals were several times
| heard at distance, made with calls and
| whistles, but the strong guard prevented any
further outbreak, and quiet reigned during
the remainder of the night.
| This affair which might have resulted most
dtsast1ouslS, carries with it pointed moral
which it were insane not to heed. No strong
er argument is needed for the immediate Of
| ganization Of Thorough and effective Home
Guard, not for show purpose, butmfaute men,
ready for an emergency which may come to-
day OF tomorrow. The arms are. here, the
| cartridges are here. Let use have the men to
use them. While ne have unboundej conf
dence in the bravery and efficiency OF our
three months' volunteers at Camp Douglas, 1t
is not an Impossible event that they may re-
quire extraneous aid. The rebels will be quick
to improve any appearance tending towards q
successful escape, especially when they are
aided in their intentions by connlying sympa'
thizers outside.
The affair also suggests the necessity ol
roofing ont city eecessionists. As long a.
they are permitted to preach their treason IN,
reproved, to plot with the rebels, SO long nc
shall be exposed to disturbances Of this na
tuIe. It is duty We owe not alone to our
eelves but to our SONS and brothers who are
upon rebel soil, that secession in Chicago be
promptly and efficiently rebuked, and that itE
agents, in accordance with the spirit of the
resolutions passed by the people on last Sat
urday night, be conveyed to Southern soil
where their sentiments will be welcome, anG
no longer remain in country granting then
protection.