September 19, 1864-- Part 2: The Plot Discovered

John Yates Beall and his 19 men came aboard the Philo Parsons as passengers, but soon seized the steamers and took it to Middle Bass Island, on the way from Detroit to Sandusky.  (I've been to Middle Bass Island many times in the past, but for drinking wine at Lonz's Winery on it and enjoying the rock bands.  I never knew this to be a Civil War spot.)

While there, Beall was approached by an unsuspecting steamer, the Island Queen,  which was quickly captured and burned.  He then landed the passengers and cargoes of the two ships and proceeded with his improvised warship to Sandusky.

Meanwhile, Commander J.C. Carter of the USS Michigan had discovered the plot and had Captain Charles Cole, one of the organizers  of Beall's escapade, arrested along with an assistant.    As Beall and his men approached Sandusky, the prearranged signals were not made.

Confronted with uncertain circumstances and overwhelming odds, Beall and his men reluctantly, but wisely abandoned their part of the plan and took the Philo Parsons to Sandwich, Canada, where she was stripped and burned.

The Confederates then dispersed.

Worth A Shot.  --Old B-Runner

September 19, 1864-- Part 1: John Yates Beall, CSN, Captures Two Steamers on Lake Erie

SEPTEMBER 19, 1864:  Confederates under Acting Master John Yates Beall captured and burned steamers Philo Parsons and Island Queen on Lake Erie.  Captain Charles H. Cole, CSA, a Confederate secret agent in the Lake Erie region, conceived the plan and received assistance from Jacob Thompson, Southern agent in Canada and the daring Beall.

The plan was for Cole to aid in the capture of the iron side wheeler USS Michigan, which was then guarding the Confederate prisoners (officers) on Johnson's Island, near Sandusky, Ohio, by befriending her officers and attempting to bribe them.

Beall was to approach on a captured steamer from the mouth of Sandusky Bay and board the Michigan, after which the prisoners would be released  and the whole force would then embark on a guerrilla expedition along the lake.

--Old B-R'er

Confederate Activity on Lake Erie-- Part 1

SEPTEMBER 19TH, 1864:  Confederates under Acting Master John Yates Beall captured and burned steamers Philo Parsons and Island Queen, on Lake Erie.  Captain Charles H. Cole, CSA, a Confederate secret agent in the Lake Erie region, conceived the plan and received assistance from Jacob Thompson, Southern agent in Canada, and the daring Beall.

The plan was for Cole to aid in the capture of the iron sidewheeler USS Michigan, which was then guarding the Confederate prisoners on Johnson's Island, near Sandusky, Ohio, by befriending her officers and attempting to bribe them.

Beall was to approach with a captured steamer from the mouth of Sanduskey Bay and board the Michigan, after which the prisoners would be released and the whole force would embark on a guerrilla expedition along the lake.

--Old B-Runner