CCLHP: April 6, 1864 The Coles County Affray
April 6, 1864 - Charleston Courier
The Coles County Affray.
How it originated.
A Preconcerted Scheme by the Copperheads.
[Correspondence Chicago Tribune.]
Essex House, Mattoon, Coles County, Ill., April 1, 1864.
I have just returned from Charleston, where the great riot took place on Monday last, by which eight persons were killed, all of whom, with the exception of two, were good Union men.
On Monday morning last, numerous squads of the copperheads came riding into town, armed with revolvers, while along with them came several wagons, in which, as the sequel shows, arms were concealed. There were two reasons for the outpouring of the cops, the opening of the county court, and the announcement that John R. Eden, M. C., would address a few of the fifty-fourth Illinois in town, preparing to go to Mattoon, where the regiment was ordered to rendezvous, but were unarmed, save about half a dozen, who had revolvers. About nine or ten o’clock that morning, one William G. Hart, formerly acting Provost Marshall, had a difficulty with a copperhead, in which the latter came out second best. He went and told his story to his brethren, and they seeing that the soldiers were very few and unarmed, determined after consultation to clean them out. In order to do this one Nelson Wells, a big burly “butternut” was commissioned to set the ball rolling. Acting under this order, he went stalking around like Paddy at Donnybrook fair, asking for someone to tread on his coat tail. In the meantime the court had been opened by Judge Constable, and John O’Hair, the Sheriff of Coles county, was attending to the duties of his office. Hon. John R. Eden, however, anticipating what was coming and not wishing to criminate himself, did not attempt to deliver his oration, but quietly started off on foot about half-past ten, accompanied by one Schofield, a leading Copperhead and a member of the K. G. C.’s. It is asserted by some that he has gone to Washington, and will not show himself here for some time.
About 3 o’clock in the afternoon, Oliver Sallee, of the fifty-fourth Illinois, went up to Wells and tapped him on the shoulder, at the same time asking him if there were any copperheads about. Wells replied, “Yes, damn you. I am one,” and drawing his revolver, fired. This was the signal; the sounds of the shot had hardly ceased, when the Copperheads commenced firing indiscriminately among soldiers and citizens. Col. Mitchell, of the fifty-fourth Illinois, was in the Clerk’s office at the time, and immediately rushed out to learn what was going on. His appearance was the signal for the firing of dozens of pistols at him, and although his clothes were riddled with bullets, he escaped miraculously, having only received two very slight flesh wounds. Major York, surgeon of the regiment, was in the drug store opposite the west side of the court house, and hearing the shots, ran across the street. He had hardly entered the court house door before several shots were fired. One scoundrel, who turns out to be Green Hanks, a constable in Paris, and deputy sheriff under O’Hair abandoned his shriffalty, and took up his position as one of the leaders of insurgents. They then ran to their wagons, taking out their guns and retreating behind the small brick building in the court yard. Here they fired whenever they saw a blue coat. The citizens had at this time rushed to their homes, and hastily arming themselves, for the fray. The rebels, then rushing over the fences, mounted their horses which have been tied there and retreated about or ten rods from the court house. Here they made a momentary halt, but again took to their heels, when the citizens took charge on them. At this charge, one John Cooper, a big, loud mouthed Copperhead, was captured and brought back. He attempted to escape by running into Jenkins’ store, when the soldiers fired, killing him instantly, as also John Jenkins, who was closing his shop door to keep Cooper out. This was the last shot fired. The rebels again retreated in a straggling manner to O’Hair’s residence, about eight miles north of Charleston, attempted to rally their cowardly brethren but failed. John O’Hair then took an axe and with the rebels turned North, crossing the railroad track. Here the worthy sheriff cut down a telegraph pole and severed the wire, but not before a dispatch had been sent to Mattoon for the soldiers. The rebels then retreated pell mell out of town, and when the soldiers came up from Mattoon, there was not a copperhead to be seen, save the dead ones, and they were of no particular account.
