The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1864-04-09
FIGHT BETWEEN COPPERHEADS
AND SOLDIERS.
JONES.


AND SOLDIERS.
Seven Persons Killed and Eight Severely
Wounded.
Below we give an account of the late dis
graceful fight between copperheads and sol
diers, at Charleston, Coles county, Illinois.
Il is taken from the Plaindealer, of that
town. This is net the first outbreak of reb-
els in that part of Illinois. 1t commenced
months ago By their resisting the effo is of
the Government to arrest deserted soldiers.
They are regularly organized, and swear re-
sistance. We hope the rebels who brought
on this fight by an unErovoked attack on
peaceable soldiers, will each and every one
be hung. 1t is time for the Government to
put its heel on the copperheads in Illinois.
Forbearance is no longer a virtue
This afternoon dreadful affair took place
in our town, the most shocking in it's de-
tails that has ever occurred in our part of the
State. Early in the morning, squads of
Copperheads came in town, from various d.
rections. and, as the sequel will show,
armed and determined upon summary
vengeance upon ourlsoldiers. During the
day premonitions of coming trouble were
too evident. Some Of the soldiers, about to
return to their regiments, were somewhat
excited 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 Nathan Wells, who has been regarded as
the leader of the Copperheads in this county,
and placing his hand good naturally against
Lin, playfully asked him if there were any
Copperheads in town? Wells replied,
Eyes, God d-n you, am one !" and
drawing his revolver shot at Sallee, but
missed him. In an instant Sallee was shot
from another direction, and fell, but raising
himself up, he fred at Wells, the ball taking
effect in his vitals. He wv. went as far as
Chambers & MeCrory's store. and passing
in, fell dead. The Copperheads were gath
cred behind Judge Edwards Office, loading
their fire arms, and then would step out and
fire from the corner at the soldiers, indis-
criminately, with guns and revolvers. Of
course, having come fully prepared, they
had vastly the advantage over the soldiers,
who were not expecting such and were for
most part, unarmed. Those who were arm
ed would hardly know at whom to fire until
they were fred upon. The Copperheads
were seen to hurry tn their wagons, hItcbed
at the square, and gather therefrom several
guns, which were concealed under the straw
They were freely used and with terrible
effect. Thomas Jeffries was the next to fall,
receiving an ugly wound in the neck VIM.
Gilman was shot by B. F. Dukes, the ball
striking rib on his left side and CHANGING
off. Dukes was then seen to FIRE at Col.
Mitchell, and afterwards declared that he
had killed him. Col. NJ received several
shots through his clothes; one hit his watch
and glanced off, producing only a slight
flesh wound upon his abdomen. The watch
thus, proVidentiallY, saved his life. DR.,
passing through the Court House, was ap
preached by some one from behind, who
took deliberate aim and shot him dead-the
pistol beng held so close to him that the
powder burned his coat So far as we can
learn, Dr.. York was not actively engaged
in the ARRAY, save in his professional ca
pacity as surgeon, and in trying to restore
order. A soldier, Alfred Swim, company
G, 54th Illinois, was shot, and taking to
Drs. Allen and Van Meters Office, where he.
soon died. Mr.. S. lived somewhere near
Casey, in Clark county, where be leaves a
wife and three children. He is spoken of
by all as having been an excellent soldier
and good citizen. VIM. q. Hart, Deputy |
Provost Marshal, was shot in several places
in the head and vitals; his wounds are
probably mortal. James Goodrich, COM
pany G, 54th Illinois, received a shocking
wound, being shot in the bowels. His
wound, we fear, will prove mortal.
Unarmed as our boys were, Col. Mitchell
soon rallied all he could, citizens and SOL
diers, and improVising such arms as could
be had, gathered at the Southwest corner of
he square, as the Copperheads retreated
down the street running east therefrom.
were sent to NATION for sol
liers, and three hundred were soon on their
way.
About Eve O'Clock the reinforcements
rom Nation arrived, and while in the
Cour, House yard, Mr.. John Cooper, from
was captured. and brought in as
prisoner, by Mr.. w. a. Noe, and q sol
1ier.
How many there were of the Copper
reads, We do not know, nor can we estimate I
he number. save By the size of the squads I
hat retreated in several directions. Wei