Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1864-04-21
THE ILLINOIS EMEUTE-THE CAUSES OF TIL a
OUTRREAK-THE 'INsURHEC ION" QUELL
ED-mATTOON GARRIsONED

The paptrs contain full accounts of the recent dis
turbance at Mattoon, Illinois. 1t appears that some
OF the Federal soldiers had Threatened to demolsh
'copperhead paper, in Edgar county, Illinois, and had
forced the editor to apologize for bis attacks the
Administration. The people there determined that this
bullying operation should be the last in that section
the State and the anti Lncones armed themselves to
prevent another n one OF the disturbance occur
REQ in issOur thOug some OF the citizens from ad-
Joining counties in that State participated in it. The
fight occurred at Charleston, in Coles county, Illinois
A letter from that place, to the Chicago Tribune,
(BIack Republican, dated the 29th ut., says:
This afternoon a dreadful affair took place in our
town. the most shocking in its details that has ever
CURED part of the State. Early in the morning
squads of insurgents came in town from various drec
tions and as the sequel will show, armed, and deter
mined upon summary vengeance upon our soldiers
During the day premonitions of the coming trouble
were too evident Some Cf the SOLDIERS about to re-
turn to their regiments, were somewhat excited by Ii
ouor and consequently rather boistoous, but not bel
lIgerent, were more disposed for fun than fight.
About four o'clock soldier, Oliver Sallee, stepped
I'D to Nelson Wells who has been regarded the lead
of the insurgents in this county and placing bis hands
good naturedy against him, playfully asked him il
there were any butternuts in the town? Wells, re-
nlied "Yes -- you, am one ' and, drawing
bis revolver shot at Sailee but missed him. In an in
slant Saiee was shot from another direction and FELL
but raising himself up, he fred at Wells, the ball tax
ing effect in bis vitals. He (Wels) went as far
Chambers & McCrorys store, and, passing in, fell
dead.
The insurgents were gathered behind Judge Ed
wards offce loading their fire arms, and then would
step out and fire from the at the soldiers inds
criminaely with guns and revolvers VI course, haV-
ing come fully prepared, they had vastly the advan.
tage the soldiers, who were not expecting such
an attack, and were, for the most part unarmed-
Those whe were armed would hardly know al whom
to fire until they were fired upon. The insurgents
were seen to hurry to their wagons hitched at the
square, and gather therefrom several guns which were
concealed under the straw They freely used and
with terrible effect Thomas Jetfres the next to
talI receiving an ugly wound in the neck.
Wi illam Gilman was ehot by B. F. Dukes, the ball
striking rib on the lett side and gancDg off, Dakes
was then to fire at Col Mitchell, and afterwards
declared that be had killed him. Col Mitchell receiv
ed several shots through his clothes hit his watch
and glanced of, producing only slight flesh wound
on his abdomen The watch thus provdentially saved
bis e DR.. York, surgeon of the "a tn Illinois, while
passing through the Court House. was approached by
some one behind who took deliberate aim and shot
him Dead the pistol being placed close to him that
the powder burned his coat So lar we can learn,
DR.. York was not actively engaged in the aray save