The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1872-10-31

ever; tney are trut, brave and I believe
willing and ready, but they have no lead
ers. The vigilance of the Administration,
It's large detective force, the large bounties
paid for treachery, and the respectable men
who have yielded to the temptation. added
to the large military force stationed in these
States, make organization and prepare ton
almost an impossibility. large sum OF
money mas been expended in fostering and
'urthering these operations, and it now
seems to have been to little profit. But, in
reviewing the past, do not see how it could
have been avoided, nor has it been spent al
together in vain The apprehenslons 0. the
enemy have caused him TO bring back and
keep from the front at least O,OOG to watch
and broWbeat the people at home. In this
view of the subject the same amount of mon
ey has effected so much in no other quarter
since the commencement Of the war.
In July last, Captain Charles Fl. Cole, of
General Forests command, made his es-
cape from prison. He represented to me
that ne had been appointed lieutenant in
our navy; sent him around the lakes with
instructions to go as lower-dsck passenger
to familiarize himself with all the channels
and different approaches to the several har-
bors, the strength of each place, the deposi-
taries of coal, and especially to learn all
that he could about the war steamer Mich-
gan, and devise some plan for her capture or
destruction. This duty he performed very
satisfactorily. He was then Instructed to
return and put himself In communication
with the officers Of the Michigan, feeling his
way, to endeavor to purchase the boat from
its officers.
For time he thought he would succeed in
this, II he could give the guarantees of pay
mcnt of the sums stipulated, but by degrees
the question was dropped, and he asked per-
mission to organize force, board, and take
her. This was given, and Acting Master
John Y Beall was sent him toad in the or,
ganization and in carrying out the enter
prise.
Their plan was well conceived, and held
oat the promise of success. It had been
previously ascertained from escaped prison
ers from Johnson's Island that an organiza-
eASAA NAl0GSN oAiASbF VIC PiAoOuO on buG Is
land for the purpose of surprising the guard
and capturing the island; the presence OF
the steamer Michigan, which carried four
Seen guns, was the only obstacle. Secret
: communications were had by which they
were advised that on the night OF the 9th OIL
September an attempt to seize the Michigan
wOulc be made
On that night, Captain Cole, who had pre-
viously established the frieadliest relations
with the officers ofthe steamer. was to have
a vine drinking with hem on board, and at
given hour Acting Master Beall was TO ap
pear en- a boat, to be obtained for that pur-
pose, with a sufficient body of Confederate
soldiers TO board and take the steamer
Should they capture the steamer cannon
shot senI through the officers quarters or
Johnson's Island was to signify to he prison
ers that the hour for their release had come
Should they take the island boats were to be
improvised and Sandusky attacked. If TAX
ell, the prisoners were to be mounted and
make for Cleveland, the boats cooperating
and from Cleveland the prisoners were tc
make Wheeling, and thence to Virginia
The key to the whole movement was the
capture OF the Michigan On the evening OF
the 10Th by some treacheIy Cole WAS arrest
ed, and the messenger who was to meet Act
ing Master Beail at Kelly's Island did not
reach him Disappointed, but nothing
daunted, Acting Master Beall, having pos
session of the Pnio Parsons, passenger
orr SrIns frOp natr,njt Fn Nv IN
hio way toward Johnson's Island. Having
landed at Middle Bas Island to secure a sup
ply OF wood, The steamer Island Queen, with
large number Of passengers and thirty two
soldiers, came up alongside and dashed her
self to the Parsons. An attack was at once
Resolved upon. The passengers and soldiers
were soon madeiprisoners, and the boat de-
livered up 10 cur men. The soldiers were
regularly paroled, the passengers were LETT
on tho island, having given their promise
not to leave for twenty-iour' hours, AID the
boat WAS towod out into the lake and sunk.
The Parsons was then steered directly for the
Bay of Sandutky here the men, from certain rea
sons rot altogether satisfactory but possibly for
tmnately, rcfuseI to make the attack on the Mich
gan. Beal returned, landed at Sandwich O. w.
and tae men scattered through the country. Most
OF them have returned to the Confederate States but
a few days since Acting Master EanneG q. Bnrley
arrested, and the trial is gong on for his
delivery under the extIadtion treaty. 1--we had
Coles Bealls, or his own commission | should
not fear the result AS it is, they will have to
prove that they acted under my order, and that
will, in all probability, cure his release but II
may lead to my expulsion from the provinces; -
Ieast, have it from reliable source that this
last proposition has been pre- ssed upon the Cana