Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-04-04


of minutes -four soldiers ana one citizen (Wells)
were killed or MORALLY wounded and eleven
citizens and soldiers nose or less severely wound
ed Satisfied with what they had accomplished,
the men from the "O'Hair Settlement" ceased
firing and left the town.
Col. Mitchell telegraphed to Nation for more
troops, and, in the course of an hour, Lieut. Col.
Chapman with two hundred aud ffty arrived at
Charleston. Just as they took I'D position on
the square, prisoner, ohm Cooper, who had on
previous occasions rendered himself quite obnox-
ious to the soldiers attempted TO escape by enter
ing the store of John jenkins A volley was
fired at him, just as he reached the door, which
killed Cooper and the proprietor of the store, who
was standing just outside. Mr.. jenkins was
very estimable citizen, and a republican. This
incr eased the number of victims 10 seven
Col Mitchell sent out several deiachments, in
different directions.
Intelligence of the ARRAY was sent to all parts
of the county; and the most intense excitement
prevailed evervwhere, consequent upon the wild
exaggerations which were passed from lin 10 lin.
1t appeared as though al had surrendered them
selves completely to their fears. and with tremb-
lug lips and limbs they armed and assembled in
defense of their homes from foe which existed
solely in their own magnations
lt was reported that the rioters. to the number
OF three or four hundred strong, had assembled at
Golliday's Mills, some eight or ten miles north.
presence OF troops, the people of the county seat
were apprehensve of an attack On Tuesday
night, Col Mitchell with select party of men
visited Golida,' Mills and found that there had
been assembage of men there A party OF
the rioters returning from Charleston to their
homes. bad stopped there few moments on
Monday evening: bat since their departure there
had been no one there. The feverish imagina-
ton of the people then had the camp located
at Donnaker's Point. some ten miles further on.
In few hours, reliable intelligence was received
that the people from the country were med
itating attack that night on MattOon. Fifteen
hundred well-armed men under the lead of John
5. 0'Har the Sheriff of the county were said to
he already upon the march: they were 10 be as
sisted by force of three hundred men, who were
to attack from the south; two hundred men
then said to tie rendezvouSing eight miles above,
were to attack from the north: and eight hundred
men from Shelby and MOultrie counties, then in
camp at Collins Mills, about ten miles to the
west.
| Twenty eight hundred well-armed aud desper-
ate men were marching on MattoOn from differ
ent directions and would make simultaneous
attack; feiut on Charleston was to be made at
the same time NATION was doomed The
telegraph was brought into requisition and assist
ance impOred. The alarm bells were rung and
the citizens apprised of their danger and enrolled
in defence of their homes. The Essex House
was barTicaded, and defended on the north by
two or three rows of rife pits. An the old shot
| guns and pistols were brought forth and oiled
and cleaned, and loaded with deadly powder and
bullet Pickets and videlies surrounded the town
in double chains. and guards and patrols and grim
sentIues paraGed everywhere. As night closed
down the lights from distant farm houses glanced
| over the smooth prairie to the eager ewes which
sought To penetrate the gathering gloom See
the picket fires OF the enemy" Was passed from
lips to lips that trembed and grew whittier as they
spoke Railroad trains arrived from the north
east and west. bringing the Alb Indiana, Col.
Slack, from indianapolis; the 4Ist Illinois, Col
Isaac Pugh, with Col. Ouaks, the Provost Mar
| shal General of the State, from Springfield and
a detachment of the 9th Missouri, Lieut. Galva.
from Litchfeld strong detachment was also
sent from the east to Charleston. In trembling
| anxiety, shaking and shivering with cold aud
fear. the excited citizens paced the streets all
night, and, when DAYLIGHT broke upon the scene
half ashamed of the cowardly fears TO which theT
had surrendered themselves. they quickly sought
their homes and went 10 sleep. About o'clock
in the morning the military authorities deeming
il strange that the bloodthirsty men, whom scouts
reported in such countless numbers in it, very
! outskirts. did not attack the town. determined 20
assume the offensive. The camp at Collins
Mills was selected as the point of attack, and
with railroad train which set them down AZ the
proper place, one and one half miles east of
Windsor, the veterans lett Pdna. With trusty
citizen a guide. they trldgel four weary miles
/ through the mud and water from the point of de-
barkatiOn. With hopes elate of a complete sur
prise" Nd fatigue was too much for them. AT d
| they pressed on. At last the place indicated was
reached. There was no camp there, neither had
there been a camp there No traces or informa-
ton of eight hundred men, eighty or even eight
luen, could be found in that whole region. Wet,
hungry, and fatgued, with soured spirits aud
soiled clothes, the troops returned from their
bootless march, reaching Nation about eight
O'Clock
The concentration OF citizens at various points
are all Of a similar character. The abolitionisis
are frightened, and fy with terror from their
own shadows Whenever a man is seen ON
horseback he is regarded as an advance
guard. and thousands "are known" to ride be-
hind him. So intensely Disguised are the mill
tary men with the senseless fright of these peOnle
that the 47Ih Indiana left soon after its return
from Collins Mills, a. did also the detachment
OF the 9th Missouri. Col Oakes also leaves Tor
Springfield to day. and the 4lst Illinois will iol-
low, leaving the 54ih here and ut Charleston all
alone. Ii will doubtless prove sufficient TO over
come the countless hoIdes OF vengeiul Democrats
which abolition fears have created and marched
up and down the country in search of whom they
might devour
The "boss in blue are intensely amused at
the rifle pits constructed by the terrified abolition
lists To protect the north side of the Essex House.
Instead of making trench and breastwork as is
usually done. in which one man can support an
other and, VI not too hard pressed, the rilemen
can Withdraw unObserved. the abOlitiOuists made
a number of round holes la the ground. about
eight ten feet apart. ms if they were cOntem-
| plating setting out trees in very crooked rows.
| They had several lines of these rifle pits"
which would have proved admirable for grave
yard purposes.
When the afirsy commenced at Charleston,
| Hon. John X. Eden, who bad been endeavoring
to prevent II. left the place. He walked to
! WeShed that night, "A distance Of ten miles
where he remained until the iollowing morning.
when a carriage procured with which he
went to Marshal, and from thence to Terre
Hante.
Democrats here and at Charleston are much
ncensed at the conduct of the men from
20 Hairs Settlement" who commenced and
who alone participated in the affray. They
evidently came in anticipation OF a disturbance
and with preconcerted plan as TO bow il should
be commenced ana conducted The refusal Of
Mr.. Eden to speak disarranged their plans some
what, when the triding cause have given above
was seized upon and made the preiext for CON-
mencing the ARRAY. They hoped TO draw more
utO il, but we're disappointed, and tie affair only
amounts to a riot between about thirty soldiers
aud mauy citizens from single neighborhood,
whose friends had been shameiully beaten by
these soldiers The matter throughout has been
an unfortunate one, particularly 30 in the Of
Major York. who. though strong partisan. was
nevertheless courteous 10 his opponents. and op-
posed TO all outragcs by soldiers. Col. Mitchell,
too, has been consistent and honorable. so far rs
| can learn, and unremitting in his endeavors to
induce his men TO respect the rights Of all citi-
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