Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-11-01
GREAT EXCITEMENT In TOWN!
CLEVELAND THREATENED
CROWDS OF RoUcHs IN
THE cITYI ~


citement yesterday by reason of a report
which had swift currency, that an attack
would be made during the night, stores and
banks be sacked, houses burned, and all
manner of depredations committed. There
are so many conflicting stories, reports, and
theories aAoat, it is next to impossible to
evolve from this weltering chaos one single
solid point of certaintyi but the origin of
the alarm seems to have been this: General
Hooker sent dispatch yesterday to Lieut.
Colonel Palmer, Commandsnt of the post
of Johuson's Island, stating that reliable
| information had been received that one
hundred men hadlef Toronto, with the de-
sign of swelling their numbers as they pro-
ceeded, and of falling upon either Detroit
or Buffalo for the purpose of piIlage.
This dispatch received By Colonel Palm
er was transmitted to those cities, while a
dispatch of the same nature was sent to
Colonel Smith, commandant of the camp
in this city, by Captain Potter, Adjutant
General in Hooker's staff. This fact taken
in connection with this other, that Captain
Sanford, ofSandusky, had sent a telegram
asking a cOnsultstion last evening with
the Mayor of this city together with the
City and Provost Marshals, led the people
to entertain the widest and most extrava-
CANT spPrehensions
A score of things added fuel to the
flame, and gave seemingly solid grounds
for the fears and apprehensions which
were indulged. Tho recent disturbances
in sondusky, the reported raid on Buffalo
which was still more recent, the declara-
ton of citizens and the police, that an un-
usual number of suspicious-IOoking and
| appearing characters had been for several
days prowling about the city, lurking in
low dens, and blinking and sinking like
owls in sunlight when suddenly confront
ed in those sinks.by the police-all these
things rose up like spectres on the receipt
of the above mentioned dispatehes, which
asserted that hostile movements were on
foot, and might burst in upon our quiet at
any moment, and gave color and reality to
every rumor and suspicion.
We were not OF the number who shared
in these apprehensions. Nevertheless we
admit that ' st. Albsns raid upon this
city,is notimpossible, and that itis the duty
Of the authorities, to be constantly in e
state Of preparation to receive warmly any
body of men who may consider this an
available point for pIunder and eonfagra-
ton. And for the purpose of sllaying the
public fears, We are happy to assure our
readers, that all necessary and proper
safety as we'll as that of their property.
We need not detail the plans which have
been adopted, but the authorities are vigil
ant, and what with an increased police
force. the arming of several companies,
perfect system of signsling alarm, and an
efficient patrol, the city need have nothing
to fear. Three companies of the gallant,
l5Oth were on patrOf last night.
Out of the excitement cropped several
incidents which, transpiring when and ss
they did, threw over the grave occasion
and topic aspects which provoked some
thing akin to merriment, as the following,
for example:
The widest fumors were current last
night-that the esst-bound Sandusky train
had been thrown from the track and
sacked, the wire cut so that communica-
tion with s i.dusky was severed, &c. But
it turned out thzt-th train was all right,
only behind time, the wire intact, and
Captain Sanford, who was aboard, neither
murdered nor prisoner.
The venerable and gallant DR.. Kirkland,
having heard and given credit TO these re-
ports, came riding pell nell into the city
last night, at the head of squad of ten or
fifteen men, among whom was the indefat-
gable Unionist, John Bennett, of Rock
port, all armed to the teeth with such
weapons as they could hurriedly gather up,
as muskeis, swords, artillery ssbres. and
tho Iike-these patriots came tearing up
to the Central Union Club Headquarters,
and reported for duty.
Happily their services were not needed,
but their charge into Cleveland, while it
was made in good faith, and showed in
domitable pluck, was decidedly amusing.
''AxD TIE Sow THAT WAS WASHED, /" &C.