The Placer herald. [volume] (Auburn, Placer County, Calif.) 1855-1991, 1864-05-21
THE ILLINOIS DISTURBANCE,


1t seems Democratic meeting was announce
ed to be held at the county seat on day
when the court was in session, at which the
Hon. Mr. Eden, the member of Congress
from that district, was to speak. There had
been bitter feeling between some soldiers
and the Democrats, on account of outrages
committed by the former. 1t was Extensively
announced beforehand by some soldiers, that
the meeting should not be held, and, in
anticipation Of trouble, the Democrats armed
themselves. Upon Mr.. Eden arriving at the
town he saw bow high the feeling was run
ning and, to prevent disturbance, wisely
determined not to speak. A fight, however,
was provoked by the soldiers, who were the
first aggressors, and few persons were killed
and several wounded. The whole affair,
however, was over in ten minutes time -
From this circumstance came the extravagant
reports Of rising of copperheads in various
parts of Illinois. The troubles in the West
are clearly due to an unhealthy public sen
timent among republicans, countenancing
drunken soldiers in insulting peaceable citi-
zens. This particular story, of course, is
magnifed to effect the Connecticut election,
tons the country will have begun to under
stand what these enormous stories mean, and
will dscredit them accordingly.
Details of the Affair.
Correspondence Of the Chicago Times.
NATION, Ill.,, March 3lst, 1864.
Great efforts are being made to give the
recent troubles at Charleston, in this county,
political significance to which they are not
entitled and to this end the widest exaggera-
tions and grossest misstatements are indus
'triously circulated and telegraphed all over
the country. From visit to Charleston this
afternoon, and conversation with many
who participated in or were witnesses of the
unfortunate affray, | have been enabled to
arrive at the correct facts in the case. For
some time past there have been atfrays at
Charleston and in different parts of Coles
county between the citizens and the soldiers,
to which liquor contributed quite as much if
not more than politics. Some citizens from
OHair's settlement had been quite roughly
handled by the soldiers, several of whom, it
is reported, on one or two occasions, assisted
each other in beating citizens. The people
of this neighborhood became much incensed,
and determined upon revenge, which they
designed inhicting by the same means they
claimed the soldiers had resorted to, that is,
in superior numbers. Last Monday was the
commencement of the spring term of court
in Coles county, day on which many citi-
zens are accustomed to visit the county seat.
Hon. John r. Eden, the Democratic mem
Der of Congress from this district, was also
al, Il Tha
two events would necessarily bring a large
number Of people together on that day, and
Mr.. Eden's promised address made the as
sembIage largely Democratic. The people
of O'Hair's settlement were aware of the
advantage they would have on that day,
above all others, in an atfray with the soldiers.
They believed all the Democrats present
would participate and give the soldiers
sound drubbing. They conceived that some
interference would be made with Mr.. Eden
when he attempted to speak, and accordingly
about thirty Of them prepared themselves
for the defensive or offensive, as circumstances
should require. Some of them had pistols,
and others had guns concealed in their wag
ons under the straw. Mr.. Eden arrived
about 2 O'clock He quickly saw that both
soldiers and citizens had been drinking quite
freely, (as they were using intemperate lam
guage and laboring under quite degree OF
exctement,) and that speech would neces-
sarilv result in a disturbance. He accord
ingly revoked his appointment The excite
ment was not to be allayed, and the leading
Democrats of the county induced many OF
the people to return to their homes, and
over two thirds of those who came out to
hear Mr.. Eden, left town before 3 o'clock,
and some hopes were entertained OF prevent.
ing any disturbance. About 4 o'clock, how>
ever, soldier named Oliver Salee, in passing
a citizen named Arison Wells, ran against
him, asked if there were any copperheads in
the county, said he could whip any copper
head in the county, &C., &c, and finally
asked Wells if he was copperhead? Wells
replied in the affirmative. Saee put his
hand on Wells shoulder, who stepped back
and said, "If you lay your hands on me |
will shoot you" Salee said be would shoot
back" A minute after, it is said, Wells
fired his pistol, whether at SaIee or not is
not known. Revovers were drawn at once
and used with terrible effect, as was also
the shot'guns with which the people from
O'Hair's neghborhood were provided. Some
of the soldiers were armed with revolvers
and some had their muskets where they soon
got hold of them. In two or three minutes
Major York, surgeon of the Fifty-fourth
Illinois, and Alfred Swain, James Goodrich
and VIM. G.. Hart, of the same regiment,
and Nelson Wells, were mortally wounded
and have since died. COL Mitchell, Oliver
Salee, John Near, w. Decker, George Ross,
|. j. Brooks, soldiers. we're wounded, as were
also VIM Gilman, John Trimble, and Stan
ford Noyes, Republican, and Geo. }. Collins,
John w. Harden, Democrats. The men
from OHair's settlement then left town.
About half an hour afterwards prisoner
named John Cooper attempted to escape by
running into the store Of John Jenkins, a
very estimabe citizen and Republican. "A
volley was fired, which killed both Cooper
IL J~olx;os rool>;nO tho toto nun har OF