The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1864-04-13
The ARRAY i'm Coles County
Illinois.
A TRUTHFUL ACCOUNT OF 1T.
Shameful Eraggerations and Aisre,re-
sentasioas Of 1t by the Abolition Press.
Special Dispatch to the Chicago Times.
MATToON, Ill. March 81.

MATTooN, ILL, March 81.
Great efforts are being made to give the
recent troubles at Charleston, in this conn
ty, political Significance to which they
are not entitled, and to this end the wild
est exaggerations and grossest misstate-
ments are industriously circulated and
telegraPhed all over the country. From
a visi, to Charleston this afternoon, and
conversation with many who participated
in or were witnesses Of the unfortunate
afray, l have been enabled to arrive at
! the correct facts in the case. For some
time past there have been affrays at
Charleston and in different parts of Coles
county between the citizens and the SOL
diers, to which liquor contributed quite
as much, ir not more than politics Some
citizens from O'Iair's settlement had
been quite roughly handled by the sol
diers, several of whom, it is reported, on
one or two occasions assisted each other
in beating citizens. The people of this
neighborhood became much incensed, and
determined upon revenge, which they de-
signed inhicting by the same means they
claimed the soldiers had resorted to, that
is, i'll superior numbers.
Last Monday was the commencement
of the spring term of Court in Coles
county, day on which many citizens are
accustomed to visit the county seat. Hon.
John r. Eden, the Democratic member
of Congress from this district, was also
advertised to address his constituents.
The two events would necessarily bring a
large number of people together on that
day, and MIR. Eden's promised address
make the assemblage largely Democratic
The people Of o Hairs settlement were
aware of the advantage they would have
ON that day, above all others, in an affray
with the soldiers. They believed all the
} give the soldiers sound drubbing. They
conceived that some interference would be
: made with Mr.. Eden when he attempted
to speak, and accordingly. about thirty of
them prepared themselves for the deem
Niyc or offensive, rs circumstances should
require. Some Of them had pistols, and
, others had guns concealed in their wagons
nndcr the straw. Mr.. Eden arrived
abeut two o'clock. He quickly saw that
both soldiers and citizens had been drink
ing quire freely, Gas they were using ill.,
temperate language and laboring under
2 quite degree of excitement,) and that a
speech would necessarily result in dis
r turbance. He accordingly revoked his
I appointment. The excitement was not to
4 be allayed, and the leading Democrats of
t the county indu ed many of the people
t to return to their homes, and over two
thirds of those who came out to hear Mr..
I Eden left town before three clock, and
|
j, ing any disturbance. About o'clock
Y however, soldier named Oliver SaIee, in
! passing citizen named Arison Wells, ran
: against him, asked if there were any cop
perheads in the county, said he could
: whip any copperhead in the county, &C.
: &c, and finally asked Wells If he was =
!, comprehend. Wells replied in the affir
: mative. Saee put his hand on Wells
n shoulder, who stepped back and said, ''Ii
you lay your hands on me | will shoot
n You" Sa,ce said he would shoot back. '
:, A minute after, it is said, Wells fred his
pistol, whether at Salec or not, is not
n known. Rcvo,yers were drawn at once
d and used with terrible effect, as was also
t the shot guns, with which the people
from O'IIair's neighborhood were pro
Nlutu. COue VI tuc SOiulcTS were aTlneO
with revolvers, and some had their mus
kets where they soon got hold Of them
. In two or three minutes Major York, Sur.
= geon of the 5lth Illinois, and Alf, Cd
- Swain, James Goodrich, and William q
. Hart, of the same regiment and Nelson
:. Wells. were mortaily wounded aAd hav.
: sine" died.
:, Col. Mitchell, Oliver Salee, j ohm Neer
VIM. Decker, George Ross, L. j. Brook !
= soldiers were wounded, as were also VIM
Gilman, John Trimhle. and Sanford
q Noyes, Republicans, and Geo. j. Collins
Q John w. Herndon, Democrats The mel
from o Hairs settlement then left town
About half an hour afterwards prisoner
q named John Cooper attempted tn escape
;. by running into the store of John Jen
=. kins, a very estimable citizen and Re
= publican. A volley was fired, which
killed both Cooper and jenkins, maxim,
the total number of killed seven, and O
wounded eleven.
4 Col. Mitchell telegraphed to Mattoon
and $50 Of his regiment came up t,
Charleston, and squads were sent out, ant
# many persons arrested.
John r. Eden lett town as soon as tn,
atray commenced, which, with othe
;. Democrats, he had been ondeavoring t,
!. prevent.
Rumors are prevalent that some thre,
i. hundred men were congregated at Coli
;, day Mills seven miles from Charleston
: Col. MITCHELL visited that place, where
: he was informed the camp was located at
Nonniken Point, some twelve miles fur
ther, and which he deemed so mythica
he did not visit. Rumors fixed anothe
camp near Windsor, seven or eight mile
west of this place, but the 47th Indian,
=. and 41st Illinois visited the place befor,
. daylight this morning and failed to dis
! cover traces of there having been eaml
in that vicinity. Rumors of Democrat
marching on Mattoon and Charleston
Originated either in the fears of som,
people or circulated by others for effect
E No danger is apprehended, and the 47tl