Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1864-04-07
THE COPPERHEAD UPRISING
IN ILLINOIS.
Attack on Unarmed soldiers at
Charlest0n--Fera Of the
COpperheads--Nam Of the
victims, sc.
tFsom tho Charleston Palm Dealcr-E1,ra ]

tFsom the Charleston Palm Dealer-Exusl
CHARLESTON, ILL.,, March 2S-9 p. NJ.
This afternoon dreadful affair took place
in our town, the most shocking in its de-
tails, that has ever occurred in our part OF
the State. Early in the morning squads OF
Copperheads came in town from various di-
rections and, as the sequel will show, arm
ed and determined upon summary ven
geance upon our soldiers. During the day,
premontions of the coming trouble we're too
evident. Some of the soldiers, about to re-
turn to their regiments, were somewhat ex-
cited by liquor, and consequently rather
boisterous, but not belligerent-.were more
disposed for fun than fight. About four
o'clock, soldier, Oliver Sallee, stepped up
to Nelson Wells, who has been regarded as
the leader of the Copperheads in this coun
ty, and placing his hand good naturedly
against him, playfully asked him If there
were any butternuts in town? Wells replI-
ed, ''Yes, am one!" and drawing his re-
voiver, shot at Sallee, but missed him. In
an instant Saee was shot from another di-
rection, aud fell, but raising himself up, he
fred at Wells, the ball taking effect in his
| vitals. He (Wells) went as Tar as CEam-
| ers & McCroy's store, and PASSING in, ftf
dead. ......... .....
The Copperheads were gathered behind
Judge Edwards office, loading their 6le-
arms, and then would step out and Ere
from the corner at the soldiers indiserimi-
nately, with guns and revolvers. Ofeourse,
having come fully prepared, they had vastly
the advantage over the soldiers, who were
not expecting such an attack, and were, for
the most part, unarmed. Those who were
armed would hardly know at whom to tire
until they were fred upon. The Copper
heads were seen to hurry to their wagons,
hitched at the square, and gather there,
from several guns, which were, concealed
under the straw. They we're freely. used
was the next to fall, receiving an ugly wound
in the neck. VIM. Gilman was shot by b.
: +. Dukes, the ball striking rib on his left
| side and glancing off. Dukes was then seen
r to fire at Col. Mitchell, and afterwards de-
clared that he had killed him. Col. M. re-
ceived several shots through his clothes;
one hit his watch and glanced off, producing
only a slight flesh wound upon his abdo
men. The watch thus, providentially
. saved his life. DR.. York, surgeon of the
0 54th Illinois, while passing through the
Court House, was approached by some one
from behind, who took deliberate aim anc
r shot him dead-the pistol being held Sc
s close to him that the powder burned hi
Q coatl So far as we could learn, Or. Yorl
= was not actively engaged in the ARRAY, saw
' in his professional capacity as surgeon, an!
in trying to restore order. A soldier Al
D fred Swim, of Company g, saith ILLINOIS
6 was shot, and taken to Drs. Allen q Va
1 Meters Office, where he soon died. MIR. )
% lived somewhere near Casey, in Clark coun
d ty, where he leaves wife and three children
n He is spoken of by all as having been an OK
d cellent soldier and good citizen. Wm
i G.. Hart, deputy Provost Marshal, was she
in several paoes-in the head and vitas-
his wounds are probably mertal. jaime
Goodrich, Company &, 54th Illinois, re
A ceived shocking wound; being shot in tn
J; bowels His wound, VIC fear, will prov
~ mortal. .t-f.a ",el
y, Unarmed as our bo-s were, Col Mitchell
O. soon rallied all he could, citizens and SO
% diers, aud improyising such arms as cou
be had, gathered at the southwest corner
the square, as the Copperheads retreate
i'd down the street running East tbereirom.-
he Dispatches were sent to MattOon for Sc
i'll diers, and three hundred were soon on Il
en- way. The Copperheads halted somewhe
m near Mrs. Dicksons and remained Tor son
time, then turned and went off, Beyond
nj Ii. O'Hair's residence they gathered t
y" gether, consulted for time, then moved 9
graph wire as they went-unfortunately b
fore dispatch could be sent to DIR. York
family at Paris, giving notice OF his assa
sination.
About five o'clock the re-enforccmen
from NATION arrived, and while in the Cou
House yard, Mr. John Cooper, from Sau
nc bury, was captured and brought in as
'n- prisoner, by Mr.. w. III. Noe and sodit
les Mr.. 9. had taken an active part in the affra
when in front Of Jenkins store he attempt
,o to escape, and when commanded to halt
W fused to do so, whcreupon Mr.. Noe tir
'u over G. 3 head, who in return fired at Sol
io' of our men, when orders were given to Il
upon him. which was done, and he fell de
IN at jenkins door, Unfortunately one oft
IN balls passed through the closed door a
struck Mr. John jenkins in the groln-pi
~, ducing serious, and probably mortal woun
4, Mr. Cooper was shot through the neck a
y" shoulder. When the Copperheads VIC
49,, halted near Mrs. Dickson's, he was heard
na san say, that as they now had no leader, he W
o'' o.'' ready to lead them back and kill the d.
sis- soldiers and burn the town, or die in the
his tempt; and at various places he was hea
TO threaten to cut out the hearts of the ID
=. Abolitionsts," and use kindred expression
"a How many there were of the Copperhea
,"s nu number, save by the size of the squads tf
nv tha retroated in several directions. We thi
=" ,nS there may have been from 100 to $50, a
l. all mounted. Who their leaders were
do not know precisely. j. II. o. Hair, Sh
Ter iff Of this county, was seen to lire thI
my times at the soldiers. John Frazier, VIII
Il sitting on his horse was seen to deliberate
he fire five times at them and then leave.
Others of less prominence we're equally W
like. alr' -
we Immediately after the soldiers arrive
ose squads, mounted upon all the horses Il
on could be found. were started out in ev,
ier direction in pursuit---Col Brooks in cha,
of one, Lieut.. Horner another, etc. Up
ub- this writing, 9P. NJ, some twelve prison
be have been captured, and the pursuit s
,tic kept up after more.
- OF the gang were two men from Edl
P'e' county, on one OF them was an oath OF a
49,. glance taken by him at Paris, recently.
0'' boasted that he was the man who shot
ent York; that he came for that purpose.