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The Saga of a Plucky Gunboat, a Civilian Steamboat, and Civil War Intrigue on Lake Erie by DAVID RAYMONT

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The Saga of a Plucky Gunboat, a Civilian Steamboat, and Civil War Intrigue on Lake Erie by DAVID RAYMONT The Union POW camp at Johnson Island. POWs BY DAVID from both sides suffered greatly during the RAYMONT Civil War and POW deaths accounted for USS Michigan was launched in 1847 and during its life it went through almost ten percent of all Civil War fatalities. During the 1940s, a US Navy article on the USS several configuration changes as well as a number of different paint These camps were a black mark on humanity The saga of a plucky gunboat, a civilian Michigan commented: “Practically nothing was known schemes. for both the North and the South. at that time [Editor’s Note: Early 1840s] in this country steamboat, and Civil War intrigue on about designing an iron ship, or the technique of Michigan, stationed in Chicago, was transferred to fabricating the unfamiliar material. Nor were other Sandusky. Lake Erie than the most primitive construction facilities available at Launched in 1847, in the aftermath of the Oregon he Great Lakes have been a peaceful artery Erie. As a result, the crisis, USS Michigan was a small, 687-ton, wooden of commerce for well lines adopted for the Michigan were paddlewheel gunboat. Originally armed with only one those of the sailing ship of the period, and the T over 150-years. frame was designed to afford the requisite gun, her new responsibilities augmented her The Rush-Bagot Treaty of 1817 restricted the size structural strength without recourse to the armament to six Parrot rifles and eight howitzers. and number of naval ships that could occupy the strength available in the hull plating, providing a Although weak in comparison with her salt-water Lakes, thus preventing the build up of great fresh- hull so strong that, despite years of abuse, it is structurally sound today [Editor’s Note: This sisters, Michigan was the only armed ship on the water fleets as occurred during the War of 1812. was written when the Michigan/Wolverine Great Lakes — and a power to be reckoned with. But in the summer of 1864, the plans of was 100-years-old!].” Throughout the Civil War, the land around the Great Confederate agents operating in both Canada and the Lakes seethed with intrigue. Canada, a colony of border States threatened to return Britain, was neutral. However, partisans of both sides in the horror the Civil War found willing supporters for their causes of naval north of the border. While slaves found freedom and USS Wolverine docked in a Great Lakes port during the early 1900s. warfare to these waters. And the object of work in Canada, and Federal recruiters enlisted willing Confederate plans was two Federal installations on volunteers; Confederate secret agents operated without During his short stay in Sandusky, Beall was Lake Erie —the prisoner of war camp on Johnson fear and draft dodgers found safe refuge. In addition, the satisfied that Cole had successfully established his Island and the gunboat USS Michigan. prominent “Peace Democrat,” or “Copperhead,” Clement cover and won the confidence of the Federal authorities In February 1862, Federal authorities Vallandigham, made his home in Canada after losing his in the area. Indeed, Cole had been so successful that he constructed a camp for about 4000 Confederate 1863 bid to become Governor of Ohio. had been able to involve a young vagabond from New Prisoners of War on Johnson Island, off During the summer of 1864, a Confederate agent Orleans named John U. Wilson in his plans without Sandusky, Ohio. This camp immediately arrived in Sandusky and registered at the West revealing the fact that he was working for the became the object of Confederate House Hotel. This agent was John Yates Beall, a Confederacy. Satisfied with the way events were intrigue, and to help foil escape Confederate Navy officer who had been in command unfolding in Sandusky, Beall returned to Windsor to attempts the gunboat USS of a successful commerce raider off the coast of complete organization for his part of the plan. Maryland before his capture in 1863. Exchanged In September, Cole proposed that the officers of several months later, Beall was inducted into the Johnson Island and the Michigan join him in an Confederate Secret Service and sent to Canada to outing to the Seven Mile House, an inn outside organize agents in the Windsor area. One of these Sandusky, and was overjoyed when a majority agreed agents, Charles Cole, proved particularly resourceful to accompany him. With Beall, Cole had planned to and Beall made him his second-in-command for a lure the officers out of Sandusky on the 19th of the daring mission to seize the USS Michigan and free month, to enable a team of Confederate agents to the prisoners on Johnson’s Island. seize the gunboat and then free the POWs. With the Cole had set himself up in Sandusky early in the Michigan in Confederate control, Lake Erie and the summer of 1864, posing as a wealthy oilman. upper Lakes would be at their mercy while the freed Together with another Confederate agent, known as prisoners of war could wreak havoc ashore. “Irish Lize,” he established the reputation of a bon On the morning of the 19th, the Detroit steamer vivant — buying race horses, renting a yacht, and Philo Parsons called in at Sandwich, Canada, on her entertaining the officers of Johnson Island and the regular run across the west end of Lake Erie. At this Michigan in lavish style. Frequently baskets of wine stop, John Beall came aboard in the company of several and boxes of cigars made their way over to the men. The steamer then went on to Malden where 20 gunboat and the prison camp with the compliments of men came aboard with a large trunk. These men joined Charles Cole. with those who had come aboard at Sandwich, while 18 SEA CLASSICS/August 2019 seaclassicsnow.com 19.
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