Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1864-04-14

The Illinois State Journal says that the
Copperbeads of Coles County acknowledge
their connection with the K. g. G. frster-
nifty. Immediately after the affair at
Charleston, the members Of the order gath
ered at their various rendezvous in large
numbers, but the more sensible members
seeing that they had been deceived by their
leaders. or fearing the consequences of their
treason, began to return home. The speedy
arrival of troops caused rapid disband
ment Of the insurgents. The affair proves
conclusivcly the existence Of that order in
Illinois. Judge Constable and other Dem
acratic politicians Of Charleston, confess
that the attack upon the soldiers was pre-
meditated, and that the whole affair was
conspiracy. ..
In commenting on the late attempted in.
surrectiou, the Peoria Transcript says:
From the commencement there has been
strong Southern party in that region, and
it has been active in opposing the war meas
ures Of the Administration, and in various
ways has aided the rebels. 1t isby no means
unlikely that the presence Of Forrest was
invoked for the purpose of iBaugurating a
civil war within the borders Of our State, in
conformity to plan long since agreed upon.
1t is no secret that in some Of our Southern
counties the disloyal element is in the as.
cendant--that deserters from our army and
rebel spies are harbored and protected by
the citizens--that traitorous lodges have
been established, and the organization of
tho nan,noratto in arfy ncod n holm tho do
signs of these traitors. The growing inso-
lence and holiness of the Copperheads of
Coles and the adjoining counties has been
patent for some time past.
This fact, with the developments made by
tho Chicago Post, that there was danger of
an armed attack upon Union men, led by
desperadoes from Canada, aided by raid
of rebel forces through Kentucky, filed the
loyal people of that region with the liveliest
apprehensions for their safety. 1t is also
well known that considerable amount of
arms and ammunition have been taken to
Southern Illinois under various pretexts,
and it is not unlikely they were put into the
hands Of those who sympathize with the re-
bellion, and would go into open revolt when
ever at opportunity presented itself. For
the purpose Of making this opportunity
was Forests raid, which was happily cut
short at Paducah.
1t must be borne in mind that Forrest
attack on Paducah was on the afternoon OF
the 25,h, and that up to the time Of the
troubles in Coles county it was not known
that he bad abandoned the intention of in
vading Illinois. Under the impression,
doubtless, that by killing few persons in
this locality would draw away the attention
Of the authorities from the movements of
Forrest, was the Charleston affair planned,
and executed by the Coles county Copper
heads. The defeat Of Forests forces dis
arranged the plan Of action, and, without
doubt, prevented general uprising of the
traitor faction in Southern Illinois, and per
haps in other localities in the State.
We are further strengthened in this view
from the fact that no small body of men
would be toolhardy enough to commence
such an affray as that at Charleston without
an explicit understanding that they were to
have the CT operation OF forces sufficient to
carry out their plans. We know very well
drunken set of men may sometimes get
into difficulties on the spur of the moment
and life may be taken, but such towards do
not 20 armed and with arms and ammuni
ton in reserve, as was the case with that al
Charleston. The legitimate conclusion i,
that they went by previous arrangement
that it was determined that point should bt
the place to inaugurate civil war in the
State, and that if Forrest should be able tt
cross the Ohio river general uprising O.
the Copperheads was to take place.