The National tribune., 1891-08-13
THE YORK ASSASSINATION.
An Illinois Soldier Tells How Ills Surgeon was
Murdered.

Murdered.
EDITOR NATIONAL tribune: In my paper
Of March George Mock, Of Co. i. 30th Ill,
writes about the O'lIair affair at Charleston,
H., in lS63, which was made on a few of the
5itb H., which COmrade Mock wrongly calls
the I5th III. As l now remember the affair
after period Of over % years, il was as fol-
lows:
The 5ith III. wcro in camp at Nation, ILL.,,
during March, 1864. on veteran furlOugh, hay-
ing served three years and re-enlistcd for three
more, or during the war. On the evening pre-
Won, 10 the day of our intended return South,
Col. q. VI. Mitchell, Lieut. Col A. III. Chapman,
Capt Robbins. Capt. Blankenbaker, Maj. York,
Surgeon of the regiment and a number Of
Others, went 10 Charleston, II miles east of Mat
t0on, 10 visit their families and friends who
resided at and near that place. District Court
was IN session al the time, aud Judge Constable
was on the bench. Arriving at the town the
boys dispersed TO their various homes with the
exception OF some 10 or II, who were standing
around the courtyard talking with friends.
There suddenly came up the street a crowd
Of 20 or so men n wagons and on horseback.
After dism0unting they filed into the court
yard. apparently led by 0'Hair and drawing
TeyOlvcrs commenced firing at the 5ith boys,
most OF whom were unarmed, only few hay-
ing reyolvcrs with them. Among the first TO
fall was Mai. York lie was shot in the back
anu lAll AtdA lllH llulANItl AlNlA TIC iiHAhl "
close TO his victim that the powder burned his
coat. Col. Mitchell received a shot which struck
his watch, thereby saving his life. Sallee, Of
Go. G. was shot down, falling forward. With
Spartan courage, with the swiftly gathering
shadows Of death closing around him, he raised
his pistol, glanced along the barrel with fast
fading eye, aud sent bullet through the heart
Of his murderer, and then sank TO rest forever.
Some others were wounded, but do not re-
m hgF fhair t5a UbaEa If tho hnrg ~ I'm
were unaTmed fought with anything they could
find. Many good aud loyal citizens OF the town
were now railying. The Knights became
panic-strickcn aud fled. leaving their dead and
wounded behind. Ia the meantime court had
adjourned pell-mel aud did not stand on the
order Of their going Judge, lawyers, plaintiffs
aud defendants fed frantically through the
town, thoroughly imbucd with the spirit OF the
devil catch the hindmOst
Col. Mitchell sent a special train 10 Nation
for the regiment, gathered up what boys were
there, and being Joined by number Of yOlun-
teer citizens, at once started in pursuit Of the
raiders.
Soon the regiment arrived and were quartcred
In tho courtyard. Strict orders were issued
for no one to fire a shot without orders from
the proper officer Soon some scouts came in
driving prisoner who had been captured.
The pent fires Of Vesuvius could not be re.
strained. The boys fired by patOons. The
prisoner fell pierced by many balls. Soon the
regiment was ordered back TO MattOon, aud re-
manned in camp there until the excitement
had subsidized, when il returned South arriving
AZ Cairo just in time TO be sent 10 Paduca,
KY, 10 head of Gen. n. i. Forrest who was
reported as marching on that place. We ar
rived on time, aud SO did Forrest. After ex-
changing compliments with artillery for an
hour or so Forrest left. Within few days we
did the same. Ii is now in order for any one
Of the comrades 10 write up different and
better version than haye.-A. Is. BALCH, Co.
u, 9th Ill, Formoso, Kan.