The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1876-10-27

ment was 10 De ndQe Oechlue KNOWN
to Mr.. Mcdonald, candidate for Gov
ernor of Indiane, and believing it
would mar his prospects for election
unless prevented, he threatened to e1-
pose all the parties engaged unless the
project was abandoned. Thus the day
passed by and nothing was done. The
Chicago Convention came; the crowd
was immense; general impression
prevailed that a reconstruction could
be had, and that it was necessary to SO
fsr pander to the military feeling as to
take Gen. Mcclellan to secure a Ger.
tain success. This nomination, fol
lowed as it was by divers disclosures
and arrests of persons, prominent
members, totally destroyed the "Sons
of Liberty" The feeling with The
masses is as strong as ever; they ere
true, brave and believe willing and
ready, but they have no leaders. The
fiSilouCC VI JIc AuuluieIT6liOU. lis
large detective force, the large Dor ties
paid for treachery, and the respectable
men who have yielded to the tempta-
ton, added to the large military force
stationed in these States, make organi-
zation and preparation almost an i'm
possibility. A large sum of money
has been expended in fostering these
operations; and it now seems to have
been to little profit. But, in review
ing the past, do not see how it could
have been avoided, nor has it been
spent altogether in vain. The appre-
tensions of the enemy have caused
him to bring back and keep from the
field in front at least 1000 to watch
and browbeat the people at home. In
this view of the subject, the same
amount of money has effected so much
in no other quarter since the com
men cement of the war.
IhE FLOT 10 CAPTURE THE WAR
STEAMER MICHIGAN.
In July last, Capt. Charles H. Cole,
of Gen. FORESTS command, made his
escape from prison. He represented
to me that he had been appointed a
Lieutenant in our navy. l sent him
around he lakes, with instructions to
go as lower deck passenger, to famil
iarize himself with all the channels and
different approaches to the several har-
bors, the strength of each place, the
repositories of coal, and especially to
learn all he could about the war steam
er Michigan, 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. and, feeling
his way, endeavor to purchase the boat
from the officers.
For long time he thought he would
succeed in this, if he could give the
guarantee of payment of. the sums
stipulated, but by degrees the question
was dropped, and he asked permission
to organize a aforce. board and take her.
This was given, ard Acting Master
John Y. Beall was cent him to aid in
the organization, and in carrying out
the enterprise.
THE PLOT TO RELEASE THE PRISONERS
ON JoHNsoN's ISLAND.
Their plan was well conceived, and
held out the promise of success. 1t
had been previously ascertained from
escaped prisoners from Johnson's
Island that an organization existed
among the prisoners on the island for
'hc purpose of surprising the guard
aad capturing the island; the presence
of the steamer Michigan, which carried
fourteen guns, was the only obstacle.
Secret communications were had by
which they were advised that, on the
night of the 18th of September, an at
tempt to seize the Michigan would be
made.
On that night Capt. Cole, who had
previously established the friendliest
r, lations with the officers of the steam
er, was to have a wine drink with them
on board, and, at a given hour, Acting
Master Beall was to appear on the
boat, to be obtained for that purpose,
with sufficient body of soldiers to
board and take the steamer. Should
they capture the steamer, a cannot
shot sent through the officers quarters
ON Johnson's Island was to signify to
the prisoners that the hour for their
release had come. Should they take
the island, boats were to be improvised
and Sandusky was to be attacked. I'll
aiken, the prisoners were to be mount
ID and make for Cleveland, the boats
20 operating; and from Cleveland the
prisoners were to make for Wheeling,
md thence to Virginia. The key to
he whole movement was the capture
If the Michigan. On the evening of
he 10th, by some treachery, Cole was
srrested, and the messenger who was
20 meet Acting Master Beall at Kelly's |
Island, did not reach him. Disap-
but nothing daunted, Acting |
Master Beall, having possession of the
ohilo Parsons. passenger steamer from
Detroit to Sandusky, went on his way
o Johnson's Island.
HE CAPTURE OF THE STEAMER IS
LAND QUEEN.
Having landed at Middle Bass Island
o secure supply of wood, the steam
T Island Queen. with large number
# passengers and thirty-two soldiers,
anne up alongside and lashed herself
o the Parsons. An attack was at
ice resolved upon. The passengers
nd soldiers were soon made prisoners,
nd the boat delivered up to our men.
The soldiers were regularly paroled;
he passengers were left on the island,
aving given their promise not to leave
Or twenty-four hours; and the boat
1as towed out into the lake and sunk.
The Parsons was then s.eered direct
: for the Bay of Sandusky. Here the
len, from certain reasons not altogeth-
r satisfactory, refused to make the at
l. -. Al. nl;.Li. D.n -..--I |