The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1864-03-31
Murderous Outbreak by Illinois Cop.
perheads

PSIuGdQS.
NATION, Coles County, ILL.,, March 20, '64
Yesterday about 80 or 100 Copperheads,
the most desperate characters in this and a
few adjoining counties, assembled at Charles
ton, where the Circuit Court was in session
few officers and soldiers of the 54th Hi
nois veterans were there on a furlough.
A little after 2 o'clock p. M, while Court
was quietly in session, man named Nelson
Wells suddenly fired on a soldier in the
court yard. AS though this was precon-
certed signal, the Copperheads in the Court
House and yard, opened general fire on
Union men and soldiers with revolvers, max
ing rush at the same time to wagon
where they had guns concealed, and fir
ing with these as fast as they could get
them.
The few soldiers present being taken en-
tirely by surprise, fought manfully with
their pistols, and soon the dead and woun-
ded were scattered around the public square
The soldiers and Union citizens ran for guns
as soon as possible, but as they returned
the rebels were in full retreat, the whole
affair thus far having occupied but short
time
| Col Mitchell, of the 44th Illinois, was with
out his revolver when it commenced While
attempting to take pistol from man, he
was shot by another man, the ball striking
his heavy gold watch and inhicting slight
wound. Another man put pistol to his
back and would have killed him had it not
snapped. Still another man was Just about
firing fatal shot at him when a soldier
knocked him down with brick bat The
Colonel was shot at a dozen times or more.
Major Shubal York, Surgeon of the 54th,
was shot dead while CALAMITY defending
himself
Within an hour from the beginning of the
affair, Lieut.. Col. Chapman with portion
of the 54th-about $50 men-arrived from
Nation, twenty miles distant, and
squads were sent out after the retreating
Copperheads About thirty five of the raid
erS were arrested during the evening and
night, and are now here under guard.
They cut the telegraph of Charleston as
they retreated. They met soldier-Levi
Freisner, Co. G, 54th-whom they took
prisoner at the command of John S. O'Hair,
Sheriff of Coles county, who was at their
head.
The soldier was retaken at daylight this
morning, and six rebels who were guarding
him were captured The following is list
of killed and wounded as far as known:
KILLED.-Major S. York, Surgeon, 54th,
James Goodrich, C,54th, A. Swain, G, 54th,
VIM. Hart GID Ill, John Geddings, Union
citizen.
WOUNDED. Colonel Mitchell, 54th, Oliver
Sales, G, 54th, private unknown, G, 54th,
- Decker, G. 54th, Geo Ross, G, 54th,
e. Noyes, l, 54th, William Gilman, citizen,
Thomas Jeffries, citizen
CoPPERHEADs KILLED. Nelson Wells who
began the affray, John Cooper
E. Wrinkles was wounded, and several
other wounded Copperheads were hauled off
in wagons by their friends.
Colonel McHenry Brooks, who is author
lied to raise new regiment, took part in
the fight, and was quite active in following
up and arresting the rebels in their hiding
place last night.
night. 1t is now known that the rebels
camped, to the number of 100, several miles
east of that town.
STILL LATER.
-Four hundred men of the oath Illinois
leave Charleston tonight to attack the reb
els, who are said to be 300 strong, under
command of Sheriff John S. OHair, intrench-
ed at Gollidays Mills, ten miles northeast of
Charleston.
A portion of the 54th is here to protect
Nation, it being threatened from Shelby
and Moultrie counties.
Two companies of the Invalid Corps, en-
route for Springfield, were stopped at Charles
ton for garrison duty. Pickets are on all the