Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1864-04-09

PARTICULARS OF THE AFFAIR.

The Chicago Tribune has some fuller par
ticuiars of the Copperhead riot in Coles
county. III. A letter to that paper, dated
at Mattoon on the Goth of March, says:
yesterday, about 20 or 100 Copper
heads, the most desperate characters in this
and a few adjoining counties, assembled at
Charleston, where the Circuit Court was in
session A few officers and soldiers of the
54th Illinois, veterans, were there on u fur
Tough.
"a little after 8 o'clock p. m, while Court
was quietly in session, man named Nelson
Wells suddenly fired on soldier in the
courtyard. As though this was precon-
certed signal, the Copperheads of the Court
House and yard opened general fire on
Union men and soldiers with revolvers,
making q rush at the same time to q wagon
where they had guns concealed, and firing
with these as fast as they could get them.
The few soldiers present, being taken
! entirely by surprise, fought manfully
with their pistols, and soon the dead and
wounded were scattered around the public
! square. The soldiers and Union citizens
ran for guns as soon us possible, but as they
returned the rebels were in full retreat, the
whole affair thus far having occupied but u
short time.
Col Mitchell of the 5ith Illinois was
without his revolver when it commenced
While attempting to take pistol from a
man, he was shot by another man, the ball
striking his heavy gold watch and inficting
q slight wound. Another man put q 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 II sol
dier knocked HIM down with u brickbat-
The Colonel was shot at dozen times or
more Major Shubal YORK, Surgeon of the
54th, was shot dead while gallanty defend
ing himself
"Within an hour from tae beginning of
the affair, Lieut.-Col. Chapman, with por-
ton of the 5ith-about 250 men-arrived
from Mattoon, 90 miles distant, and squads
were sent out after the retreating Copper
heads. About 35 of the raiders were ar
rested during the evening and night, and
are now here under guard.
They cut the telegraph east of Charleston
as they retreated. They met asodier-Lcyi
Freisner, Co. e., 54th-whom they took
prisoner at the command of John 5. O'lIair
Sheriff of Coles county, who was ~ their
bead.
THE soldier was retaken at daylight this
morning. and six rebels, who were guarding
him, were captured. The following are Z
list of killed and wounded rs far u known
"killed-Maior 5. York, Surgeon, 54th
James Goodrich, G, 54th; \. Swain. G
54th Wm. Hart, 62d Illinois; Jno. Jend
ings, Union citizen.
"Wounded--Col. Mitchell. 54th: Olive
Sales, c, 54th aprivate unknown, G, 5lth
- Decker, G, saith Geo Ross, {, 54th
i. Noyes, l, Oath; Vim. Gilman, citizen
Vhos. Jcttries, citizen.
"Coppcrheads killed-Nelson Wells, who
began the atfray John Cooper.
IL. Wrinkles was wounded, ana scyerG
other wounded Copperheads were hauled OF
in wagons by their friends.
"Col. McHenry Brooks, who is authorized
to raise new regiment, took II part in th
fight, and was quite active in following u
and arresting the rebels in their hiding
places last night.
'All was quiet in Charleston during th'
night 1t is not known that the rebel
camped, TO the number of 100, several mile
east of that town.
The St Louis Democrat SAWS:
'lt is nothing new that in many portion
Of Illinois, particularly the southern portion
there have existed the most dangerous ele
ments The worst kind of Copperheads arr
TO be found there. Not only are resden
Illinoisans to be found among them, but
, considerable number Of dangerous churac
tiers properly belonging to this State hav
taken shelter there, where they have tount
congenial company, and would not be likel.
to be so closely watched by the militar.
authorities as here. We have not failed I,
give timely warning, as far as we had tn
ability, of the movements of these men. tell
ing our Union neighbors across the river t.
be on their guard against them. This warn
ing is never more appropriate than at TIA
present time. The Presidents Amncst
Proclamation has brought rebels in larg
numbers among us from the enemys lines
many of whom may find it agreeable to cX
= tend their travels to points where they ar
) not SO well known as here