Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1864-04-07
The N eWS.
COMPILED DAILY FOR THE REPORTER
BIZ THURSDAYS Nail.

By THURSDAYS Nail.
St Louis March ga special to the
Democrat, from Charleston Coles Co., Ill SAYS
the copperheads came into that town vester-
day to attend Court with guns concealed in
wagons and armed with pistols. Some sol
diers in the Court House drawn into an
atfray, and a general fight instantly occurred
The County Sheriff sprang from the Judges
stand and commenced firing pistol at Union
men. Major York, Surgeon 54th regiment,
was one OF the first victims. The Union men
being outnumbered at the Court Heuse, ran
to the houses and stores for arms, and were
fired upoa from the windows Ten or twelve
were badly wuunlcd; Col. Mitchell, j4th reg
iment was badly wounded Oliver Saler was
killed; James Goodrich, Wn. Hart, T. c.
Jetftrys aud several soldiers belonging to the
9th regiment were wounded severely.
The 14th Regiment arrived III the after
noon and formed the square. Nelson
Wells, the nan who fired the first shot in
stantly killed John Levaper A prisoner was
shot wnile trying to escape. Leaf Brooks,
with squad of men went in pursuit of gang
of copperhcads about miles distant. Capt
Williams has some twenty prominent secesh
implicated iii the affair under guard at the
Court House. Col. Mitchell had conference
with The Hon. 0. b. Ficklen, and Judge Con
be taken to prevent further outbreak
Matloon, Coles County, H., March 90
iS6f.-1 esterday about 50 er 100 Copper
heads, the most desperate characters in this
and few joining counties, assembled at
Charleston, here the Circuit Court was in
session.
few officers and soldiers of the 54th Hi
nols veterans were on furlough.
little after 3 o'oclock 2. NJ, while Court
was quietly III session. a man named Nelson
Wells suddenly fired on a soldier in the court
yard. As though this was a precoucerted
signal, the copp2rhcads in the Court House
and ward opened a general dre on Union men
and soldiers with rtvolyers, making Il rush at
the same time 10 Il wagon where they had guns
concealed, and firing with these as fast as
they could get hem.
The few soldiers present being taken en-
tircly by surprise, fought mantullv with their
pistols, and soon the dead and wounded were
scattered around the public square. The
soldiers AMI Uaion citizens ran for glrs as
soon as possible, but as they returned the
rebels were in full retreat, the whole affair
thus far having occupied but Il short time
Col. Mitchell, Of the J4th Illinois, was with
out his revolver when it commenced. While
attempting to take pistol from man, he
WAS shot by another man, the ball striking
his heavy gold watch and indicting IL slight
wound Another man put a pistol to his
back and would have killed him had it nol
snapped. Still another man was just about
firing fatal shot at him when a soldier
knocked him down with Il brickbat. The
Coonel was shot at dozen times or more.
Maj. Shubal York, Surgeon of the 54th, was
shot dead while gallantly defending himself
Within an hour from the beginning of the
affair." Lieut. Col. Chapman with portion of
the 54th-about $50 men-arrivcd from Mat
tooH, % miles distant. and squads were sent
out after the retreating Copperheads. About
80 of the raiders were arrested during the
evening and night, and are now under guard.
They cut the telegraph east of Charleston
rs they retreatcd They met soldier-Levi
Freisner Co. {. 5ith--whom thev took pris-
oner at the command of John S. OHair. Sher-
if Of Coles county, who was at their head.
By Fridays Nal
Mattoou, H., March 50.
On receipt of the news Of the riot at Charles
town, two hundred and fifty of the 54th Hi
nois, rendezvousing here, went to Charles
town. The Copperheads having left before
their arrival, pursuit was made and about
thirty prisoners were taken and brought to
this place. The Copperheads in this an d ad-
joining counties Immediately commenced mus
tering forces with the avowed purpose of res
cuing the prisoners.
Reports from different sources states that
they are ten to fifteen hundred strong and
intend to attack the town tonight. Every
preparation has been made to give them a
warm reception. 1t is believed that with uni
ted efforts the citizens and soldiers still here
will be able to hold the place until armed re-
Inducements arrive.
LATER. insurgents are said to be for
alhed twelve miles from Charlestowa
Cei True, IN command of the post has au-
Shenuc information that thev are also in force
at Copairns Mills, ten miles south, and at a
place eight miles west of Mattoon.
Col. Cakes, Provost Marshal General of
the State has arrived
The 4lst Illinois has been ordered here
from Camp Yates, and five hundred men have
been ordered from Indianapolis
Gen. Heintzeman is expected to-niubt
Sheriff O'Hare has been Joined at his rem.
devious by the Sheriff of Edgar county. with
band of desperadoes.
A spy sent out by the insurgents was can.
tured this afternoon. He contessss that large
bands are at the two places above mentioned
but refuses. to give farther Information
The telegraph wires east and south of here
have been cut.
Scouts who had returned at half past elev
en- reports force of fifteen hundred thre,
miles east of Mattoen.
BIZ 7,eesday's lfaa.
New York, April 2.--The Washington cor
respondent of the Commercial states that tn
Government intends to call out the all the or
ganized militia of the States for sixty days
to occupy certain fortified points, and tha
the District of Columbia militia will be calle,
to occupy forts around Washington, so tha
the veterans may be put in the field.
The Copperhead outbreak in Illinois ha
subsidized, and the prisoners sent to Spring
field.
Tac a.r a--s - he past week is yer,