The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1882-04-01
DRG. OREGON, SATURDAY, APRIL 1, 1882.
Hope Oil Company before 8 o'clock to.
10 - n r

Hope Oil Company before 8 o'clock to
| day. Be prompt. C. H. Cole.
This meant that the attack would bf
made on the Michigan at 5 o'clock thai
evening. Cole left Sandusky for Detroit
on Saturday, with all arrangements per
iected. de had previously determined
to capture the Philo Parsons, vessel
plying in the lake trade for service in
transporting our troops. The plan was
to go aboard of her at Detroit, and the
mon who were to assist in
HER CAPTURE
Were to get on at the various points al
which she touched on the Canadian
shore. Cole went on board the Parsons
ct P. N. of the 18th, and spent most OF
his time with Captain Atwood, her CON-
mander. He had made his ACQUAINTANCE
some time before, and frequently came
over on his vessel. She left her wharf
on the moraing of the 18th, and touched
at her various stopping places on the
Canada side of the Detroit river. At
Windsor and at Maiden Coles men got
on board. He was in the pilot house
with Captain Atwood when the boat
touched at both places, so that he could
note the men as they came on board, and
be where they could see him. At Nal
den, Atwood, observing the unusual
number of seedy looking men getting
aboard, said: "How many skedaddlers
are coming on this morning? These
fellows are all well off, They ran out of
the United States to escape the draft,
and are now returning. They look hard
but all of them have means, and are
men of position"
Eyes, poor fellows, Cole replied, .'they
have had hard time.''
j. Yates Beale, Coles second officer,
was in readiness for the work. When
they left Maiden Cole gave him signal
to assign the men to their positions. He
did so. A fine engineer, well armed was
placed near the engine, and one of the
men well equipped for the work appoint
ed to every important place ON the boat.
Cole himself preferred to deal with the
Captain. When Beale had every thing
in readiness, Cole gave the signal, and
clapped his revolver to Captain Atwood's
head, and said. Captain, you are my
prisoner"
whats the matter, Cole?" he asked,
in great astonishment.
You are my prisoner. I take pos
session of this ship in the name of the
Confederate States Government. Go be-
low."
THE ARREST OF THE CAPTAIN
Was followed by the capture of other
men by other soldiers. They were sent
below and the matches put down. The
passengers were assured that they should
nnt hl nnf.inSfod Tho cfo I,ax
were run up with the announcement:
This flag is guarantee of protection
to women and children" This assurance
was sacredly kept, although it cost some
effort. The regular Confederate soldiers
perfect gentlemen, but some Of those
hired from Philadelphia. New York and
other cities were net. 1t was necessary
to put some of them overheard to make
good the promise given when the Con-
federate flag was hoisted. About 1890
the Parsons caught the Island Queen un-
loading freight at Put-in-Bay Island.
She carried large number of passen-
gers, among them 800 dnarmed soldiers
going to Cleveland to get mustered out.
The Parsons ran alongside of her, made
fast, and captured her. The two steam
ers then went to Fighting Island, where
The passengers were put ashore. There
was no possible means Of escape, and
therefore no danger that they would give
The steamers then ran toward
the Michigan, which lay in sight. Cole
left the Parsons in q small boat, and |
rowed directly to the Michigan. His |
plan was to capture the ship by strategy.
Before going to Detroit he had arranged
20 give the officers an entertainment on
oxl hat 4k -
lad sent the wine and other requisites to |
he vessel before he left Sandusky.
Therefore his coming on board that day
excited no suspicion. The men selected |
20 make the capture were to come out |
rom the shore in small boats, ostensibly
ishing, and surround the Michigan
When Cole went aboard, they were to |
iraw nearer to the ship. At given Big
lal from him they were to board her,
out down the matches, and the vessel |
would be won without firing a gun.
Everything worked like charm. On |
he verge of success Cole delayed giving |
he signal a moment too long. He was
himself
instead of capturing the Michigan. He |
vas in the ward-room drinking wine |
With the officers, and was just making an
'xcuse to go on deck to give the signal |
vhen an officer from Johnson's Island
approached him, saying: Captain Cole,
'ou are my prisoner.
Captain of what?" he asked with a |
augh. Certainly no man will accuse |
ne of being soldier"
'No," replied the officer, "but here is
) telegram saying you are Confederate
py, and are IN conspiracy to capture |
Fohnson's Island 1t orders your arrest.
We must at least take you into custody
'Oh, that's all right" Cole answered, |
Though he felt that it was all up with
lin.
Sergeant search him!' ordered the
'ficer.
The sergeant began his work and al
most the first thing he found was COM
mission from the Confederate Govern
nent. That was enough. Cole was put
lnder arrest and closely guarded. A
Jolonel Johnson, of Kentucky, had be-
rayed him. He dropped a paper con-
aiming the information of his purposes
lpon the wharf just as they were leaving
1t was picked up and the
hal at Detroit. He telegraphed to the
'ficers of the steamer Michigan, but the
ispatch was by accident delivered to
he commanding officer on Johnson's
sland. It was merely by chance that
he message reached the boat in time to
ave her from capture and to upset Coles
'lans. On his arrest Cole was asked who
gere his accomplices. There they were
II around the vessel, and still unknown.
QUICK as flash he devised a plan to
ave them. He named twelve of the
most prominent citizens of Sandusky as
lis co-conspirators. knowing that thew |