Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1864-04-05
The ARRAY in Coles Coun-
X siid ty, Illinois. sgig
A Trushfai Aceouns Of i.
sham eful Exaggcrations and Misrep-
resenfations of ~ by the AbOlis
fNHcEiff tiOn Press.' iNitt Dist
special Dispatch to The Chicago Times.

Special Dispatch to The Chicago Times.
E .d MATTOoN, ILL.,, March 81.
Great efforts are being made to give the
recent troubles at Charleston, in this coun-
| ty, a political significance to which they
| are not entitled, and to this end the widest
exaggerations and grossest misstatements
are industriously circulated and telegraph
ed all over the country. From visit to
Charleston this afternoon, and a conversat
tion with many who participated in or were
witnesses of the unfortunate affray, 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 soldiers, to which liqdor contribute
| ed quite as much, If not more, than politics.
Some citizens from O'Hair's settlement had
been quite roughly handled by the soldiers,
several of whom, 1t is reported, on one or
| two occasions assisted each other in beat
| ing citizens. The people of this neighbOr-
| hood became much incensed, and deter
mined upon revenge, which they designed
| infiicting by the same means they claimed
| the soldiers had resorted to, that is, in supe-
| rior numbers. .,t,,',,.. .dl
Last Monday was the commencement of
the spring term of Court in Coles county, a
| day on which many citizens are accustom-
ed to visit the county seat. Hon. John r.
| Eden, tile Democratic member of Congress
| from this district, was also advertised toad
dress his constituents. The two events
would necessarily bring large number of
people together on that day, and MIR. Eden's
promised address make the assemblage
largely Democratic. The people of O'Hair's
settlement were. aware of the advantage
they would have on that day, above all
Others, i'm an affray with the soldiers
They believed all the Democrats present
would participate and give the soldiers
sound drubbing. They conceived that some
interference would be made with Mr.. Eden
when he attempted to speak, and according
ly, about thirty of them prepared them
selves for the defensive or offensive, as cir
cumstances should require. Some Of them
had pistols, and Others had guns concealed
in their wagons under the straw. Mr..
Eden arrived about two O'clock. He quick
ly saw that both soldiers and citizens had
been drinking quite freely, (as they were
using intemperate language and laboring
under quite degree of eXcitement) and
that speech would necessarily result in q
disturbance. He accordingly revoked his
appointment. The excitement, was not to
be allayed, and the leading Democrats of
the county induced many of the people to
return to their homes, and over twO-thirds
of those who came out to hear Mr.. Eden
left town before three o'clock, and some
hopes were entertained of preventing any
disturbance. About o'clock, however, q
soldier named Oliver Salee, i'm passingia
citizen named Arison Wells, ran against
him, asked If there were any copperheads
In the county, said he could whip any cop
perhead in the county, &c, &c, and finally
asked Wells If he was a copperhead. Wells
replied in the affirmative. Salee put his
hand on Wells shoulder, who stepped back
and said, aIf you lay your hands on me 1
llshoot you.n Salee said he would 'sshoot
back" A minute after, it is said, Wells
fired his pistol, whether at Salec or not, Is
not known. Revolvers were drawn at once
and used with terrible effect, as was also
the shot guns, with which the people from
O'Hair's neighb0rhoOd were provided
Some of the soldiers were armed with
reyolyers, and some had their muskefs
where they soon got hold Of them. In
two or three minutes Major York, Sur
geon of the 54th Illinois, and Alfred Swain,
James Goodrich, and william g. Hart of
the same regiment, and Nelson Wells, were
mortally wounded and have since died.
Col. Mitchell, Oliver Salee, John Neer, VIM.
Decker, George Ross, Id. Brooks, soldiers,
were wounded, as were also William Gil
man. John Trimble, and Sanford Moves,
Republicans, and Geo. j. Collins, John w.
Herndon, Democrats. The men from o.
Hairs settlement then left town. About
half an hour afterwards prisoner named
John Cooper attempted to escape by run
ming into the store Of John Jenkins, q very
estimable citizen and Republican, A vol
lev was fired, which killed both Cooper and
jenkins, making the total number Of killed
seven, and ofwounded eleven. 3-7~
/, Col. Mitchell telegraphed to Nation, and
80 Of his regiment came up to Charleston,
and squads were sent out, and many pei,
- John r. Eden left town as soon as the af-
fray commenced, which, with other Demo-
Gratis, he had been endeav0ring to prevent.
Rumors are prevalent that some three
hundred men were congregated at Goliday
Mills. seven miles from Charleston. Col.
Mitchell visited that place, where, he was
informed, the camp was located at Nonni-
ken Point, some twelve miles, further, and
which he deemed SO mythical hed did not
visit. Rumors fixed another camp near
Windsor, seven or eight miles west OF this
place, but the 47th Indiana and 41st Illinois
visited the place before daylight this morn
ing and failed to discover traces Of there
having been camp In that vicinity. Ru-
mors Of Democrats marching on Mattoon
and Charleston originated either In the fears
of some people or circulated by others for
effect. No danger is apprehended, and the
47th Indiana has already left, as has also 9
detachment of the 9Th Missouri, commanded
by Lieut.. Galya. The 4lst Illinois will
probably leave In the morning, and, with
the withdrawal of troops, the excitement
will subside, fears viii gradually die out,
and the usual quiet be restored. we g. 4
q Democrats and Republicans deplore the
matter equally. and hold that the conduct
Of those from O'Hair's settlement was
highly reprehensible.
Here follows a list Of some fifty prisoners,
and the dispatch proceeds: y
Many Of these prisoners are simply re.
ported as accessories, and will be examined
by Col. Mitchell tomorrow, and such as
are not directly implicated viii be dis
Too much credit cannot be given Col.
| John True, Of the 62d Illinois, and Col. @.
| M. Mitchell, OF the 54th, for the manner IN