The National tribune., 1882-02-11

island with the prisoners on it could not have
been refused With the only armed vessel on
the lakes IN our possession the towns and cities
on their banks would have been virtually at our
mercy. With the Parsons and Island Queen we
had captured, and the Georgian we had purchased
some time before, and which was now plying
along the Canada shore loaded with arms. we
had ample transportation facilities and with an
iron vessel ON Lake Michigan the whole COM
merce of the lakes would have been absolutely
at our command. With confederate army of
10000 men added to this water advantage sta
toned In section where our cause had many
friends, and where discomfort at the war was
daily spreading, this would have given us an
advantage that could not have been Overthrown
Inere were the men all ready and wondering
why the signal was not given There were the
Parsons and Island Queen lying in sight in the
hands of friends. On Johnsons Island were our
three thousand Confederate officers well informed
Of our plans, with fifteen hundred navy revolyers
distributed among them, and but six hundred
soldiers guarding them. The Michigan was the
only enemy on the lakes and the only one that
could be gotten there
Il was in the ward-rOom drinking wine with the
officers and was ust making an excuse to 90 on
deck to give the signal when an officer from
Johnson's Island stepped aboard the Michigan
and approaching me, said:
Captain Cole you are my prisoner"
Captain of what 1 asked with a laugh;
certainly no one accuses me of being soldier"
No. replied the officer, whom / knew well;
but here is telegram saying you are a con-
federate spy, and are in conspiracy to capture
Johnson's Island. 1t orders your arrest We
must, at least, take you into custody
Oh, that's all right L answered, although I
felt it was all up with US. A moment later.
however, and it would have been all up with
them.
Sergeant search HIM" ordered the officer.
The sergeant began his work, and almost the
first thing he found was my commission from the
| confederate government. OF course. that was
enough. I was put under arrest and closely
guarded"
What became of your men ~
The moment it was found I was an enemy
they demanded to know who, beside myself. were
In the conspiracy. Quick as flash l thought:
Here is chance to save the men, | named
twelve of the most prominent citizens of San
dusky could think Of knowing that thew would
be at once arrested, and sHspecting that nv fe-
male accomplice in the city, who was watching
the bay for the signal of success, would be warn
ed of my capture and doubtless alarm the men
In the boats [ was not mistaken The first
man arrested was Mr.. West, who kept the hotel
where we stopped She knew | had failed the
moment it occurred. Quickly slipping from the
hotel she took a small boat, roWed out and gave
the alarm to the men in the fishing boats, and
they to the Parsons and Queen. Beale scuttled
the Queen and sunk her in sight of the Michigan.
and running the Parsons over to the Canada
shore sunk her too. Every man but myself es-
capped. Anna Davis also got away, but she was
captured day or two after when she came back
to bring notice from the confederate government
that they would hold two officers as a ransome
for me, and would execute them if l was dealt
with except as confederate soldier engaged in
legitimate acts of warfare.
After ny arrest l was kept confined on board
the Michigan until after General Dix, General
Heintzelman, and General Hitchcock came to
make the investigation. was then removed to
JOhnson's Island.
Il had some $4,000 in gold and something over
3d. 900 in greenbacks which the Government con-
iscated, as it did the steamer Georgian after the
failure OF our enterprise. Before leaving Detroit
to capture the Parsons | transferred to Anna
Davis all my interest in the Mount Hope Oil
Company, as she was British subject and could
hold Them as could not after the attack, whether
l was successful or unsuccessful"
ITO be continued