CCLHP: Deposition of Joseph Nesbit
State of Illinois
Coles County
Joseph W. Nesbit on his oath says, I am a single man and have boarded at Jacob L Rardins for nearly a year last past I was at said Rardins on Sunday before the Riot at Charleston, there was present Jacob S. Rardin, David Rardin, Franklin Rardin, John Toland, and myself. It was said by someone present that John R. Eden, was to make a speech on the next day at Charleston. John Toland said he thought all had best go prepared, (meaning to go armed) as he thought there might be some trouble &c. I went to John Rardin's and stayed over night. Mr. Jacob L. Rardin had left home this Sunday evening, before I left= and I understood has gone to Young Winklers. I think he was not at home that night= I understood he and his wife were at his wife's Fathers. That night about dark on Monday evening Joseph Carter, and others came along the way from Charleston saying there been a big fight in town, said there was to be a meeting at Harrington's blacksmith shop- they wanted everybody to come out & c & c.
Monday evening after some of them got home, I went over to Young E. Winklers and found Robert Winker, at home he was wounded in the hand, and in conversing with him, he said he had been in the fray, and had had a scuffle with one of them, (I understood him to mean one of the soldiers) he said he had him down (meaning that he Winklers had the soldier down) I understood him to say that someone interfered and pulled him off- or come to the assistance of the soldier. Think he said he should have been able to manage him or something to that effect- if he had been alone.
I went back to Rardins and from there to the blacksmith's shop, David Winkler went with me. There was from 75 to 100 men there- the men were called in line and a short speech made to them by B. T. Williams, John O'Hair, & John Frazier Williams & O'Hair seemed to be chief managers, the men were urged to go to Donika's Point and such as could not there to be there in the morning. I went back home but news come that the Soldiers were coming right on after us and that we must run, and I took my horse and went out and soon met Frank Williams, and went to his house, and from there to the point, left there and went to the Rich Woods- (from here he was in same company with William Clapp.) The wood was brought to us to come from home and was brought to us by a man named Thomas, I think he was a soldier.
(signed) Joseph W. Nesbit
Subscribed and sworn to before me this April 6, 1864(signed) W. A. Whittemore M. P.
