Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1899-04-04

afterwards as Capt. Eeali. From
April to November, he with few
bold spirits, engaged in privateering
in Chesapeake Bay. He had only
two little boats, named, from their
color, the Raven and the Swan. With
these he captured several slonpS and
schooners, and Inflicted such damage
on the enemy's commerce that they
sent quite a large expedition of in
fantry, cavalry, and artillery. with
gunboats, to capture him. This they
succeeded IN doing early in Novem-
her. He and his companions were
thrown into Fort McHenery, and
heavily ironed, on a charge of piracy.
By threats of retaliation, the Confed-
erateGovernment secured for him the
same footing as other prisoners of
war and he was duly exchanged in
May, 1864.
Capt. Beall was still eager to carry
out his plans for war on the Northern
lakes. He believed that he could
secure secretly well-armed vessel
and, placing her on the lakes, could
sweep them, from Buffalo to Detroit
and Chicago, laying all the cities
along their shores under coutribu-
ton to the Confederacy. He be-
lieved that he could surprise the war
vessel guarding the prisoners at
Johnson Island and release them,
and adding this vessel to his strength,
that he could release other prisoners
confined near the lakes; and that
this force, marching through the uu-
protected Northern States, would
create demand for peace among the
people already tired of the war.
OF course the undertaking was full
of danger. and required carefully
prepared plans for concert of action
among the prisoners atvarious points !;
but it came so near success that its
feasibility was shown. If ali in whom
he trusted had been as cool, brave,
and determined as Capt. Beall, it
would have succeeded; but in the
critical moment some of his men fail
ed him, and among the Confederate
officers there was traitor.
the plan was to capture the war
steamer, Michigan, which lay off
Johnson's Island. in Lake Erie.
Then, at preconcerted signal, the
prisoners on the island were to rise
against the guard, and, under cover
of the guns of the steamer, were to
make their escape 10 the mainland.
The Michigan, with her fine arma-
ment, was then to be used as priva-
teer.
A Mai Cole, one of John Morgan 5
men, "a manof great hriliancy polished
manners, utmost conlness and daunt-
leess courana. was To have Charge of
the expedition. When all was in
readiness, he went to Sandusllv CITY,
opposite to J0hnson's Island. where
he could be in easy communication
with Capt Beail, who had gone to
Canada. Mai, Cole was supplied
abundautIy with means, and passed
as very wealthy Philadelphia heir
to immense estates. He entertained
lavishlv, won the regard of prOni-
neut men of all parties, and by his
winning ways ingratiated himself
with all classes, civil and military.
He became intimate with the Off
GERS of the Michigan, who invited
him to visit them, and showed him
over the ship, and allowed him TO go
onto the island and converse freely
with the prisoners. He entertained
the officers in splendid style, and
used to have long confidential talks
with the engineer of the vessel.
On the evening set for the capture
he had invited the officers of the
Michigan to a supper at his hotel.
They were there to he drugged, so
as to incapacitate them for duty.
Capt. BeaIl's part was to secure and
man vessel, and to be near enough
that when the officers were in the
midst of their entertainment, lie
could, at a given signal, steam up
beside the warship and suddenly
board her, taking possession of her
in the name of the Confederate
States. Then Maj. Cole would take
command, and they would carry out
the remainder of the plan,
On the 18th of September, 1864.
Bennett G. Burley, who had been
under Capt. BealI in his privateerfug
ventures on Chesapeake Bay, went
aboard the steamboat Philo Parsons,
at Detroit, taking passage to Sand
usky City. She was boat of 220
tons burden, plying regularly be-
tween the two cities. He arranged
for her to touch ut Sandwich and
Amherstburg, small Canadian viii
lages, to take on some friends of his.
Capt. Beall and two companions
got on at the firstnamed place, and
at the other place sixteen men came
aboard, throwing on an old trunk
tied with ropes, which afterwards
proved to he filed with graphing
hooks and hatchets. There were 80
passengers besides the newcomers.
About four O'Clock in the after
noon, just as the boat was leaving
Kelly's Island, I've miles north of
Sandusky City, Capt Beall suddenly
presented a pistol at the head
of the helmsman, and giving a
signal, his men gathered to him with
hatchets and graphing hooks, and
they took possession of the boat in
the ma me of the Confederate States.
The attack was so sudden that there
was no resistance. The Confederate
flag WAS hoisted, the boats books
and papers were secured, and the
passengers and most of the crew
we're landed at Middle Bass Island.
According 10 their own testimony,
Capt. Beall treated all with marked
courtesy and kiudnass ut H. ~