, 1863-06-27
ARREST OF DESERTERs At CAL
UMET,


For come time past, two deserters from the
5sth Illinois regiment, Col. Lynch command
Ing, which recently left Camp Butler, SPRING
field, for the seat Of var, named John Baer
and Mutthias Theis, both of them dcs pera-
does Of the worst kind, have been concealed
In the Calumet marshes, obtaining prcca-
1ious livelihood by killing frogs and sending
them to the Chicago market, for the edidca-
cation Of such epicurcs as affect the hinder
batrachian combinations. The United States
officials got wind that the men were there, and
on Thursday, two officers went down to arrest
them, but did not succeed in finding them
until yesterday morning. They came upon
them SO suddenly that Baer was arrested al
mcst before he discovered the approach of
the officers. Theis, however, who is 1.-the,
wiry, actiTe man, sprang to his feet and ran
like deer. The officers hallooed to him to
stop OF theY would shoot him. He paid no
heed to their warning, but accelerated his
pace. One Of the officers jumped into his
buggy and set out in pursuit, but though his
horse was fleet, Theis was aeeter, and out
stripped the animal. As soon as favorable
opportunity offered, be plunged into the
swamps, where the officer could not drive,
BE again ordered him to stop, but TheIs paid
no heed to the order. Finding that he was
likely to escape, the officer drew bead upon
him with his revolver, and fired, dropping
him into the grass. He VAS Immediately Sc
cured, and with his companion, Was brought
to Camp Douglas. Baer was placed In con-
fnement md Theis taken to the United Ststes
Hospital. The ball struck him near the spine,
and lodged In the abdomen, inflicting severe
wound. Surgical aid WAS called, and the ball
will survive his injuries. It is time these men
learned that desertion from tho army is no
trivial offence The 1nfraction of law is be-
coming alarmingH frequent, and prompt and
summary punishment alone can have effect to
prevent It.
The Festival Mt Metropolitan Hall.
When, ut n meeting Of the ladies at their
rooms in Garrett Block, nearly ten days since,
TO take into consideration the project of
establishing Soldiers Home In Chicago, one
ofthe speakers said the ladies were "spoIllng
for strawberry festival" nobody belieyedit.
Everybody thought tho strawberry business
was, to use an expression more emphatic
than elegant, "p1ayed out" The ladies,
however, had faith that their appeal to the
patriotism and humanity of our citizens
would not pass unhceded, and so, early and
late, In season and ont Of Season, they made
the ampleEt and most elaborate preparations
for the affair, which eliminated SO brilliantly
last evening at Metropolitan Hall. We were
never SO proud Of our people-of our brave
men and beautiful women-of their large
handed and large, hearted humanity, as then.
The mammoth Strawberry Festival vas IN
immense success.
At an early hour, even before the chandc-
liers were lighted, the epeople began to gather,
ard In an hour there was not standing place
left. As we entered the hall, the coup cd
was exceedingly brilliant. Around the room
and hanging halfway between the gallery aud
floor, were eight splendid national flags, ap-
priately inscribed, and directly under them,
tables covered with vases Of flowers, boque,s
Of flowers, baskets Of flowers, pyramids Of
flowers; eyergreens, roses, and Strawberries,
ice cream, oranges, cherries, b1ackberrics,
cake-eyerythln that could please the eye
md tempt the taste. In tho centre of the
stage stood IN immense pyramid Of ever
greens and roses, reaching from the floor to
the chandelier oyerhead-a perfect bower of
beauty. On the right, and In front Of the
stage was the Post Office, aud in the rear, q
mysterious looking apartment appropriately
draped with national flags, which bore con-
spicuously upon its front the words, "Gen-
tlemen's Horror and Ladies Delight
eyer that is-with the interesting sufax,
"kIsses thrown in" This was under the ex-
elusive charge Of the Young Ladies Soldiers
Aid Society Of the West Division, and was ex-
tensively patronfzed-
We have no idea Of the amount raised by
the ladies, but Judging from the number pre-
cent, and the enthusiasm manifested, one
thousand dollars would be safe estimate.
The SIcillan vcKperS.
This evening, will be produced, for the first
time In this city, yerdi's opera Of the slcilian