we have received, through the courtesy of the officers of the Exchange Bureau, files of Northern papers as late as Tuesday last, the 5th inst. The news is not important, but a noticeable fact is that the papers are entirely silent on all army matters. This is significant of active operations. we give a summary of the intelligence:
The Illinois Emeute — the causes of the outbreak — the "Insurrection" Quelled — Mattoon Garrisoned.
The papers contain full accounts of the recent disturbance at Mattoon, Illinois. It appears that some of the Federal soldiers had threatened to demolish a "copperhead" paper, in Edgar county, Illinois, and had forced the editor to apologize for his attacks on the Administration. The people there determined that this bullying operation should be the last in that section of the State, and the anti-Lincolnites armed themselves to prevent another one. None of the disturbance occurred in Missouri, though some of the citizens from adjoining counties in that State participated in it. The fight occurred at charleston, in coles county, Illinois. A letter from that place, to the Chicago Tribune, (Black Republican,) dated the 29th ult., says: ‘ This afternoon a dreadful affair took place in our town, the most shocking in its details that has ever occurred in our part of the State. Early in the morning squads of insurgents came in town from various directions, and, as the sequel will show, armed, and determined upon summary vengeance upon our soldiers. During the day premonitions of the coming trouble were too evident. Some of the soldiers, about to return to their regiments, were somewhat excited by liquor, and consequently rather boisterous, but not belligerent; were more disposed for fun than fight. ’ About four o'clock a soldier, Oliver Sallee, stepped up to Nelson wells, who has been regarded as the leader of the insurgents in this county, and placing his hands good-naturedly against him, playfully asked him if there were any butternuts in the town? wells replied, "Yes, -- --you, I am one!" and, drawing his revolver, shot at Sallee, but missed him. In an instant Sallee was shot from another direction and fell, but raising himself up, he fired at wells, the ball taking effect in his vitals. He (wells) went as far as chambers & McCrory's store, and, passing in, fell dead. The insurgents were gathered behind judge Edwards's office loading their fire-arms, and then would step out and fire from the corner at the soldiers indiscriminately with guns and revolvers.--Of course, having come fully prepared, they had vastly the advantage over the soldiers, who were not expecting such an attack, and were, for the most part, unarmed. Those who were armed would hardly know at whom to fire until they were fired upon. The insurgents were seen to hurry to their wagons hitched at the square, and gather therefrom several guns, which were concealed under the straw. They were freely used and with terrible effect. Thomas Jeffries was the next to fall, receiving an ugly wound in the neck. william Gliman was shot by B. F. Dukes, the ball striking a rib on the left side and glancing off Dukes was then seen to fire at col. Mitchell, and afterwards declared that he had killed him. col. Mitchell received several shots through his clothes; one hit his watch and glanced off, producing only a slight flesh wound on his abdomen. The watch thus providentially saved his life. Dr. York, surgeon of the 54th Illinois, while passing through the court-house, was approached by some one behind, who took deliberate aim and shot him dead, the pistol being placed so close to him that the powder burned his coat! So far as we can learn, Dr. York was not actively engaged in the affray, save in his professional capacity as surgeon, and in trying to restore order. A soldier, Alfred Swim, of company G., 54th Illinois, was shot, and taken to Drs. Allen and Van Meter's office, where he soon died. Mr. Swim lived somewhere near Causey, in Clark county, where he leaves a wife and three children. He is spoken of by all as having been an excellent soldier and a good citizen. william G. Harl, Deputy Provost Marshal, was shot in several places, in the head and vitals; his wounds are probably mortal.--James Goodrich, company c., 54th Illinois, received a shocking wound, being shot in the bowels; his wound, we fear, will prove mortal. Unharmed as our boys were, col. Mitchell soon rallied all he could, citizens and soldiers, and improvising such arms as could he had, gathered at the southwest corner of the square, as the insurgents retreated down the street, running east therefrom. Dispatches were sent to Mattoon for soldiers, and three hundred were soon on the way.--The insurgents halted somewhere near Mrs. Dickson's, and remained for some time, then turned and went off. Beyond J. H. O'Hair's residence they gathered together, consulted for a time, and then moved off in a northerly direction, cutting the telegraph wires as they went, unfortunately before a elspatch could be sent to Dr. York's family, at Paris, giving notice of his assassination. About five o'clock the reinforcements from Mattoon arrived, and while in the court House yard, Mr. John cooper, from Salisbury, was captured, and brought in as a prisoner, by Mr. w. H. Noe, and a soldier. Mr. cooper had taken an active part in the affray; when in front of Jenkins's store he attempted to escape, and when commanded to halt refused to do so, whereupon Mr. Noe fired over Mr. cooper's head, who, in return, fired at some of our men, when orders were given to fire upon him, which was done, and be fell dead at Jenkins's door. Unfortunately one of the balls passed through the closed door and struck Mr. Jno. Jenkins in the groin, producing a serious and probably mortal wound. Mr. cooper was shot through the neck and shoulder. when the insurgents were halted near Mrs. Dickson's, he was heard to say that as they now had no leader he was ready to lead them back and kill the — soldiers and burn the town, or die in the attempt; and at various places he was heard to threaten to cut out the hearts of the " --Abolitionists," and use kindred expressions. How many there were of the insurgents we do not know, nor can we estimate the number, save by the size of the squads that retreated in several directions. we think there may have been from one hundred to one hundred and fifty, and all mounted. who their leaders were we do not know precisely. J. H. O'Hair, Sheriff of this county, was seen to fire three times at the soldiers. John Frazier, while sitting on his horse, was seen to deliberately fire five times at them, and then leave. Others of less prominence were equally warlike. The St. Louis Democrat says: ‘ It is nothing new that in many portions of Illinois, particularly the southern portion, there have existed the most dangerous elements. The worst kind of copperheads are to be found there. Not only are resident Illinoisan to be found among them, but a considerable number of dangerous characters properly belonging to this State have taken shelter there, where they have found congenial company, and would not be likely to be so closely watched by the military authorities as here. we have not failed to give timely warning, as far as we had the ability, of the movements of these men, telling our Union neighbors across the river to be on their guard against them. This warning is never more appropriate than at the present time. The President's amnesty proclamation has brought rebels in large numbers among us from the enemy's lines, many of whom may find it agreeable to extend their travels to points where they are not so well known as here. ’ Another letter from Mattoon, dated the 31st ult., says: ‘ Throughout last night and all of this morning the excitement continued among our citizens, and the most vigorous measures were in progress to resist the apprehended attack, but it seems that the capture of the spy last night was of more importance in a military point of view than was at first believed. He was taken in a suspicious locality, and at once owned his mission. On being pressed he gave full information relative to the position of his friends, stating that there was a large force of them at Windsor, in Shelby county, about eight miles west of this place; on the Terre Haute and Alton Railroad, and also at Copaim's Mills, a few miles south. His aggregate numbers, in some instances, as high as fifteen hundred. ’ Yesterday, it is now positively known, the insurgents near Windsor took a vote in their camp and unanimously resolved, with much enthusiasm, to move at once on Mattoon and release the prisoners. The failure of their scout, above named, to return, dampened their zeal, and when it became known that he was arrested the leaders of the gang became frightened, and, after much hesitation, the whole movement was given up. The copperhead party from Neoga, twelve miles below this place, have returned home, telling their neighbors that there are five thousand Federal soldiers in Mattoon, and that it is no use to try to release the prisoners. A wise conclusion, but accepted a little too late for some of those fellows. The 4th Indians, ordered here from Indianapolis, have left for Cairo, en route for New Orleans, there being an adequate force here without them. The 41st Illinois, colonel Pugh, who were ordered here by telegram from camp Bever, have gone into barracks, and will constitute the "garrison" for a short time. There is no doubt that the thirty copperheads now in custody will not only be held, but will have plenty of company. Prisoners are continually coming in. Everything indicates the murderous and rebellious intent of these men, who lacked only numbers to continue the open war they had begun. Last night the body of one of our settlers was found on the railroad track shot through the head. The most intense indignation prevails among the loyal men, and many, of before doubtful proclivities, have got their eyes opened to the real intents of their associates. Dr. Shubal York, of the 54th Illinois regiment, murdered in the first outbreak at charleston, was spoken of as the Union candidate for congress in the seventh district, in place of John R. Eden.--The copperheads claim that the original disturbances grew out of some heated remarks of the deceased, called out by Eden's assault upon him in a speech to the meeting held at charleston on Monday. Dr. York was a gallant and estimable man and officer, and was connected with the regiment from the time of its first organization at Anna, in 1861. The main part of the 54th regiment, as before stated in your dispatches, was here at the time, but was forthwith sent to the scene of the affray. The copperheads at the very outset of the disturbance cut the wires cast of charleston, with the design of preventing aid being summoned from Indiana, but in this they failed. Help enough has been received from all quarters utterly to cow the insurgents, who are disbanding more rapidly than they assembled. It will doubtless soon appear whether they have discharged all the debt they owe the Government by now slinking home. The Union men of this section insist that the Government shall take such measures as will rid this section of the pestilent gang of home rebels, whose treason has been now declared and placed within reach of punishment. Mattoon citizens will never forget how near the war came home to them. The Chicago Tribune has the following article on the affair: ‘ Both coles and Edgar counties furnish striking proof and warning to all other counties in the State, that no local office can safely be entrusted to disloyal men. Two meaner tools of the rebellion cannot be found in Illinois than the two infamous brothers, wm S. O'Hair, Sheriff of Edgar county, and John S O'Hair, Sheriff of Celes county. Their father is ex-Sheriff Mike O'Hair, of Edgar, and both are "chips of the old block," and of the three it may be said that it is a misfortune to the loyal cause that the three are out of reach of the rebel conscription, which would find them ready made to its uses, and far less dangerous to us in the rebel service. ’ The share of Sheriff John O'Hair, of coles county, in the late disturbances, is set down in our despatches elsewhere. Both he and his brother are men of desperate character, and he seems to have led in the bloody work begun and carried out.--It was a deliberate and murderous attack on the soldiers and Union citizens, resulting in the loss of several lives, many wounded, and the flight of the assailants. It is noticeable in this case, as in Paris, Edgar county, a short time since, that the assembling was not a chance one, that the copperheads came armed, with wagons, which were arsenals in reserve, and this with a deliberate and deadly purpose. In the Edgar county disturbance the brutal and outrageous assaults of the copperhead sheet at Paris had excited the veteran soldiers, who threatened to demolish it, but the apologies of the editor saved him and it. But the copperheads, indignant at the success of the soldiers in backing down the organ of treason, had determined on vengeance, and, as is sworn to in the testimony, the infamous Sheriff, wm. S. O'Hair, of Edgar county, secretly collected one hundred armed copperheads from coles, Clark, and Edgar counties, impudently calling them in the secret missive a posse comitatus.--The gallant soldiers had seen rebels before, and a cleaning out and rapid flight of the miscreants took place. One of them, named Canady, was captured, says the Paris Beacon. The sworn statement of Canady was taken by a notary public. He declared that Sheriff O'Hair had sent for these men to come to Paris in squads of three or four, without arms, their guns to be brought in a wagon, and secreted until occasion called for their use; that a paper to this effect was read to him, signed by william O'Hair, and witnessed by some of the best citizens of Paris — among others, Amos Green, and we believe Jonathan Mayo was mentioned in this connection col. Mayo positively denies having signed or seen such a paper. can it be that forgery has been committed for the base purpose of inaugurating a civil war in Edgar county?The Yankee congress — Passage of an important
resolution on Mexico — Thompson, the British
Lectures.
The proceedings of the Yankee House of Representatives on Monday last are of some interest:
Mr. Davis, (Md.,) from the committee on Foreign Affairs, reported the following joint resolution:
Resolved, By the Senate and House of Representatives in congress assembled, That the congress of the United States are unwilling by silence to leave the nations of the world under the impression that they are indifferent spectators of the deplorable events now transpiring in the Republic of Mexico; therefore, they think it fit to declare that it does not accord with the people of the United States to acknowledge a monarchical Government erected on the ruins of any Republican Government in America under the auspices of any European Power.
Mr. Brooks (N. Y.) said, if it be not a mere paper fulmination, I do not object; but if it be a detonation only to burst in the House, what is the use of it?
Is anything to be done with it?
Mr. Davis (Md.) replied that whether it is a mere paper fulmination or not depends upon whether congress will adopt it, and whether, in adopting it, they represent the opinion of the people of the United States.
The resolution is simply a declaration of what our policy should be touching our interests very nearly.
I suppose it is not a subject any one wishes to discuss, and so I move the previous question.
Mr. cox (Ohio) said the resolution had received his concurrence in the committee, but he preferred that it should have been more emphatic.
It ought to have been passed before.
It will be looked upon now as a mere ,brutem fulmen, unless backed by arms.
Are we ready for that?
Mere paper resolutions do no good after statesmanship has failed in its duty.
Perhaps the blame for neglecting Mexico attaches somewhat to the previous Administration of Buchanan, certainly to this.
The McLane treaty should have been pressed.
It was pressed, when too late, and beaten by New England Senators, aided by Southern Secessionists.
It would have given us not annexation, but a firm alliance with Mexico, aiding our commerce, and in time foiling the schemes which France began in 1860 to get control of Mexico.
The old Democratic policy of defiance of foreign dictation was the policy of this emergency.
while he favored this resolution, he only wished that it could be so framed and go backed up as to prevent king craft and the arch-dupe of Napoleon (Maximilian) from establishment on this continent.
Mr. Davis (Md.) was very sorry that the gentleman from Ohio had thought it necessary to make an argument against the resolution.
Mr. cox replied he did not make an argument against it. He would vote for it; but he wanted the language to be more emphatic.
Mr. Davis (Md.) said he did dot know how the language could be more emphatic, for the resolution declared that a monarchical Government will not be recognized by us. He did not know whether it was becoming at this time to say what we will do, and whether we mean to resist by force of arms the permanent establishment of a monarchy in Mexico.
when the gentleman referred to the Democratic policy in regard to affairs on this continent, he begged to remind him that when France and England more than once jointly intervened in the affairs of the South American republics, if there was a protest against it by the Government of the United States he did not remember ever seeing it, and certainly there was no armed protest on our part.
The Democratic policy with regard to our Southern brethren had the tendency rather that Mexico should ultimately be annexed to the South.
The resolution was then adopted unanimously, 100 members voting.
The House next took up Mr. Eldridge's resolution requesting the President, Secretary of State, and Secretary of war, to furnish the number of persons who have been arrested and held for political offences, or any other alleged offence against the Government, by order or with the knowledge of either of them, and who have not been tried or convicted by any civil or criminal court, together with the charges or accusations for such arrest or imprisonment; and the number of prisoners in the forts; whether any persons have been banished from the loyal States, etc.
On motion of Mr. Rollings, (N. H.,) the resolution was tabled — yeas 62, nays 38.
Mr. Morris (Ohio) offered a resolution setting forth that--
whereas, George Thompson, of England, in March, 1834, declared that the dissolution of this Union should be kept steadily in view: Therefore
Resolved, That the resolution heretofore passed, granting the use of this Hall to the said George Thompson on the evening of the 6th of April, is hereby rescinded.
Objection being made.
Mr. Morris moved a suspension of the rules, which was decided in the negative by 44 against 56; so the resolution was not considered.
The Way elections are to be conducted in
Maryland--the questions to be asked of
loyal voters.
Governor Bradford, of Maryland, has written a letter to Gen. Lew wallace, the Military Governor, in which he expresses the opinion that at the election the judges of election should not be contented with a mere general dental on the part of voters of sympathy with the rebellion, but should require responses to particular interrogatories.
The following is a list of the "particular interrogatories" which have been adopted, and for refusing to apply them a judge of election is liable to "a fine of $500 and imprisonment:"
- 1.
Service in the Rebel Army.
Have you ever served in the rebel army? - 2. Aid to those in Armed Rebellion.
Have you ever given aid to the rebellion?
Have you never given money to those intending to join the rebellion?
Have you never given money to their agents?
Have you never given money, clothing, or provisions for the purpose of aiding the emigration of persons from this State to the South?
Have you never sent money, clothing, or provisions to persons in the South since the rebellion? - 3. comfort and Encouragement to the Rebellion.
Note.--comfort or encouragement means advocacy, advice in favor of. we aid the rebellion by giving money, clothing and provisions; we give it comfort or encouragement by our words. A man who has advocated the cause of the rebellion, who talked in favor of Maryland going with the South, who rejoiced over the victories of the rebel army, has given comfort and encouragement to the rebellion.
Have you ever given comfort or encouragement to the rebellion?
Have you never, in conversation, attempted to justify the course of the states in rebellion?
Have you never expressed a wish for the success of the rebellion or its army?
Have you never, in conversation, discouraged the cause of the Federal Government?
Did you rejoice over the downfall of Fort Sumter? - 4.
Disloyalty.
Note.--If the judges are satisfied that a man is disloyal to the United States, it is their duty to refuse his vote, for such person is not a "legal voter" of the State of Maryland.
Are you a loyal citizen of the United States?
Have you been loyal ever since the beginning of the rebellion?
Have you never rejoiced over the defeat of the Union army?
Have you never rejoiced over the success of the rebel army?
when the Union army and the rebel army meet in battle, which do you wish to gain the victory?
Note.--After interrogating the person offering to vote, the judges may hear other evidence to prove or disprove his statements, and must be governed by the weight of testimony.