Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1864-03-03
Serious Disturbances at Lancas-
t... .- .-. ... ter, ..Ig 81 s...,' '..rt ,

o.. 4H j.. 81 . srA
Difficulty bst,eee,, Soldiers ard Copperheods
Too Soldiers Killed Threatening = De
smonstrotion on Utepart Of tie iSoLdierse-
One Of the party beaten nearly TO death
Special correspondence OF the Cincinnati Gazette. r.
...- lls COLUMBUS, o.. Feb %.
The city has been full of rpmors to-day
concerning the riot at Lancaster, most of
which have grown to alarming proportions
The facts in the affair are as follows The
l7th Ohio. Col Durbin Ward, were assem-
bling at Lancaster prior to rendezvousiug
at Camp Dennison. Ut course Olds New
Church movement could not go uuheeded,
and the patriotism Of the boys stirred up
the venom OF the Copperheads OF the
latter class were father and son by the
name Of See, who kept a. drinking saloon.
At an early hour Saturday evening the
father armed himself with e revolver and
took his seat by window. About uine
o'clock some of the soldiers being in there
drinking, one of them by the name of Little,
put his hand on the shoulder of young See
and said: "George, understand you.have
become Copperhead." This was followed
by some ill.natured reply, and young See
turning upon Little, the latter pushed him
away with his arm. Thereupon the elder
See drew his revolver and shot the soldier
through the heart. As his comrades rush
ed forward to catch the body Of murdered
Little. the old villain, fred at them and NOR.
tally wounded one Of them. This soldier
has since died. This then was the act that
fred the soldies, and they armed themselves
with the rapidity of lightning and threat
ened the destruction of the town. They
first sought to burn the saloon where their
comrades were shot, but Colonel Ward
appealed to them so earnestly as to change
their purpose. But while he was speaking
some of the men entered the building and
completely gutted it, pouring the liquor in
streets. The excitement among the citizens
was intense, and collision between them
and the soldiers was only prevented by the
untiring efforts of Colonel Ward and General
Ewing, who happened to be present. The
Mayor of the, place zealously dogged the
steps OF the former, but he made no effort
to arrest the murderer and his son, and get
them safely in jail. All the civil officers SEEM
ed to care nothing for the crime committed.
The soldiers made a vigorous search for the
Sees, and about two o'clock Sunday morn
ing their efforts were. partly rewarded as
they found young See just as he was escap.
ing from the town, and arrested him. They
offered him no violence until they reached
the market house, when they assaulted
him and beat him nearly to death. Colonel
Ward hearing of this, threw himself among
the infuriated men at the peril of his lie,
and rescued the victim and got him to a
physicians house, where everything possi-
Bile was done for him., But he was injured
so badly that it is quite likely he is dead ere
this. At later hour the, soldiers hearing
he was not dead. surrounded.the house with
the intcnon of dragging him forth and
hanging him, but we're prevented by
Colonel Ward. Word coming that Berne
township-t the banner Copperhead township
had armed and were coming to drive out
the soldiers, the latter armed themselves
more thoroughly and took possession of the
Court House which they barlicaded But
Berne township did not venture, and thus
was further bloodshed prevented saf
General Ewing desired another regiment
to be s,nt there, but the Governor, did not
favor it, nor did it prove necessary Too
much credit cannot be given Colonel Ward
tor his brave and discreet conduct. He has
returned to this city. r.a.. .fs
A transcript of the facts elected at the ex-
animation before the Coroner will be
received here to-day, which will forward
you. The regiment have selected half
dozen good fellows who are in pursuit Of
old See f..f ..1j-;..1r ..s.. .lut Jon -4..