Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-09-21
REBEL RAID ON LAKE ERIE.
COPPERHEAD SKEDADLERS
FROM CANADA SEIZE
TWO STEAMERS.
Attempt to Release 5000 Rebel
Prisoners on john
son Island,
PLOT TO SINK TIE UNITED STATES
STEAMER MICHIGAN AND
BURN SAKBUsKY.
Six Sandusky COpperheads are Impli-
Gated, and are Arrested.
FAILURE OF the OPERATION AND SINKING OF
ONE or THE STEAMERS

About eleven o'clock yesterday, the fol-
lowing startling dispatch was received By
Provost Marshal Nash from the Military
Commander at Johnson's Island, announe-
ing a bold movement of Canadian rebels:
JoHssox's ISLAND, via SAKDUsKY,
September 20-5 An.
To Provost MaysGals ana NsliaTy 0oHmit-
tees
Rebels from Canada captured the steam
ers Parsons and Island Queen near the Bass
Islands yesterday afternoon, and have gone
down or across the Lake, disappearing nom
the Islands between ten and eleven o'clock
last night; probably gone for reinforce
ments, guns and ammunition. The eaptuT-
ing party were about thirty with abundance
of reyolverH and bowie knives. No other
arms noticed. At Middle Bass Island the
eaptor5 took wood enough to last two days.
Warn all vessels and steamers, and send all
Important information here.
We have one of the principal conspira-
tors in arrest. CBAs- W. HILL,
Colonel Commanding.
The Island Queen is a small side-wheel
steamer that has for o long time been run
ming between Sandusky and the lslands.-
She is owned by the Relley's on Kelley
lEldnuy dHu 10 EOulAhduutu Oo PbnAAA C-A
The Philo Parsons is g steamer of some
what similar built and about third larger,
running between Sandusky and Detroit.
She is owned on North Bass Islaud, and
commanded by Captain Atwood. During
the past winter she was extensively repair
ed, and had new engine. When captur-
ed she must have been or her way down
from Detroit, which place she leaves at
eight O'Clock en- Monday morning. The
rebels probably got possession Of her before
reaching the Islands, and then lay in wait
for the Island Qeen, which they then cap
tured.
Ii those steamers are supplied with guns,
the navigation of the Lake is rendered
hazardous.
Notice has been given to the officers of
vessels In port to be on the lookout for the
pirates, and efforts will be made to capture
them.
Mr.. Thomas, conductor of the sandusky
train, gives some additional particulars in
relation to this bold feat. A few days
since stranger appeared in sandusky,
and succeeded in getting acquainted with
the officers of the United States steamer
Michigan, and with some of the military
officials. he was dsshing, generous fell
low, and gave several suPpers to his new
friends. These proceedings began exciting
suspicion as to the character and purposes
of the stranger, and he was arrested on
Monday. On him were found papers re-
Vealing plot to capture steamers, sink
the Michigan, burn, ssndusky, and free
the prisoners at Johnson's Island. The
letters implicated several prominent Cop
perheadso of the city in the conspiracy.
The steamers were seized, but the arrest
Of the leader in the city frustrated all the
plans of the rebels. The Michigan started
in pursuit of the two captured steamers, but
without finding them.
sixofthe sandusky traitors were arrested,
among whom are Capt. Strain, DR.. Stanley,
John Williams, Jew named Rosenthal,
and another whose name Mr.. Thomas could
not remember. All these were leading
COpperhesds.
Later kilograms state that the rebels
landed the passengers of the two steamers on
Middle and South Bass Islands. VIM. Cole
of Cleveland was among the passengers on
the Island Queen. The rebels sank this
steamer and ran the PhiIo Parsons into
Sandwich, Canada, and left her after CUT
ting her steampipes.
Doubtless we shall receive more particu-
lars before we go 70 press.
The programme was to have been carried
out on Monday. The city co-plotters were
to spike the guns of the Cleveland Bat
terry in camp; crew of rebels were to take
passage on the Philo Persons, at Detroit,
and capture her on the way down, with
other s4esmers if they could be found
The Parsons was TO run into the Michigan
as she was lying off Johnson's Island, and
cut her in two. The prisoners were then
to rise, aud, by the help of their Canadian
friends and Copperheads, Overpower their
guards and escape to Canada, or join the
'sOns of Liberty" and make campaign
in Ohio.