The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1864-09-23
Copperhead Conspiracy-Two Lake
Steamers Captured-Traitors
Arrested.

from Tue Cic'eIanu HeTutd ol tuesday
About eleven o'clock this forenoon. the
following important dispatch was received
by Provost Marshal Nash, from the Mill.
tary Commander at lohnson's Island. an
nouncing a daring outrage committed by
Canadian rebels:
JonNsoN's ISLAND, A. NJ, Sept. 90. ?
Via Sandusky.
To ProroSt MarShalS and Military Com
mHlees:
Rebels from Canada captured The steam
ers Parsons and Island Queen near Inc
Bass Islands yesterday afternoon, and
have gone down across the lake, disap.
pearing from the Islands between ten and
eleven O'Clock last night; probably gone
Tor reinlorcements, guns and ammunition
TIE capturing party were about thirty
with abundance Of revoivers and bowie
knives. No other arms noticed. A,
Middle Bass Island the captors took wood
enough 10 last two days. Warn all YES.
sells and steamers, and send all important
information here.
We have one Of the principal conspira.
tors in arrest. CHAS. W. HILL,
Colonel Commanding
The Island Queen is n small sde.wheel
steamer that has for long time been run.
ming between Sandusky snd the Islands.
She is owned by the Kellys on Kellys
Island and is commanded by Capt. Orr.
The Phio Parsons is steamer OF some
what similar build and about a third
larger, running between Sandusky and
/ Detroit. She is owned on North Bass
Island, and commanded by Capt. Atwood.
During the past winter She was extensive.
ly repaired, and had new engine
When captured. she must have been on
her way down from Detroit, which place
she leaves AT eight o'clock on Monday
morning. The rebels probably got poss
ession of her before reaching the Islands
and ;ben lay in wait for the Island Queen,
which they then captured.
The L. S. Steamer Michigan was or.
dered away from Johnson's Island some
days since, but she was lying off Sandus
by yesterday at three O'Clock.
The captured steamers, il supplied
with guhs, as they probably will be from
Canada, can do considerable damage to
our lake marine before they can be recap
tured.
Notice has been given to the officers o.
vessels in port to be on the lookout fol
the pirates, and efforts will be made &c
/ capture them.
BY Conductor Thomas, Of the Sandus.
hy train, we get some additional and high.
ly interesting particulars in relation to the
affair. Several days since stranger
made lis appearance in Sandusky, and
on various preences succeeded in getting
acquainted with the officers of the U. S.
steamer Michigan, and with severa! OF the
military officials. He was very liberia
with his money and leasled bis friends in
the most expensive manner. Frequen
suppers were given. at which no expense
was spared. and matters went on swim
mngly. Yesterday (Monday) suspicion.
were excited in relation to the character
and proceedings Of the agreeable stran.
ger, and he was arrested. On him were
found a number OF letters ana documents
revealing a plot TO capture steamers, sink
the Michigan, free the prisoners on John.
sons Island, and destroy Ssndusky.-
Letters were found duplicating several
leading Copperheads Of Sandusky in the
plot.
| The whole scheme was to be put into
operation yesterday. The Sandusky con
spTators were to 90 out 10 the camp OF
the Cleveland Artillery Battery, spiL e
the guns, and use other means 10 max,
! resistance useless. A gang of rebels
were to take passage on the Phlo Par
sons at Detroit and capture her on tn,
way down. with such other steamers a.
could be seized
The Michigan was lying at anchor OF
JOhnson's Island, and the purpose was t,
seal down quietly on her with the Par
sons. and then suddenly run into he
amdbhips, cutting her down and sinkin,
her. The rebel prisoners were then I,
rise, and, with the assistance Of their Can
adian reinlorcemenls and Copperhea(
traitors, overpower the guard, make thei
escape, commit all the damage possible
r and either open campaign in Ohio witt
the help OF the "Sons Of Liberty" or els,
escape 10 Canada.
: The steamers were captured accordin!
J to programme, but the arrest OF the chic
conspirator in Sandusky upset all tn
plans Of the rebels and their Copperhea,
allies. The steamer Michigan started ou
after the Parsons and Island Queen, bu
probably missed them among the Islands
/ The dispatch from Col. Hill, shows that
finding their original plan frustrated
| they had gone down the lake.
Six OF the SandusEy traitors were ar
rested, among them being Capt" Strain
hardware merchant; John Williams
another hardware merchant, ard former
, ly partner of Strain; Doctor Stanley;
, Dutch Jew clothing dealer. named Rosen
, thai, and man whose name Mr.. Thorn
, as could not remember. All those rsmed
, are prominent members of the Copper
head Democratic party, and have bee
distinguished by their opposition 10 tn