Maritime History of the Great Lakes

Telescope, v. 13, n. 2 (February 1964), p. 35

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Telescope February 35 this city to the lake. This is by far the most impudent raid during the war. From prominent citizens of Amherstburg we learn that the party which committed this daring deed of piracy arrived there on Saturday (September 17). They inquired if any Kentuckians resided there, and were directed to the residence of several. This was the last that was seen of these men until they were noticed on their way to the Parsons on Monday morning. Various rumors are afloat as to the object of this raid on Lake Erie, but as yet there is nothing authentic, beyond what we have stated in our news columns. No one with reasonable sagacity could have been engaged in such a raid, and the whole affair bears the marks of being projected and executed by crazy fanatics, who were intent upon temporary success, without regard to the ultimate failure and destruction of all engaged in it. We hope that our government will be prompt in demanding the arrest and extradition of these pirates, and in placing them on trial for one of the highest crimes known to our laws. * * * Washington. Considerable excitement exists in government and military circles in regard to the two rebel steamers which have appeared on Lake Erie. It will be recollected that some time ago Gen. Hal leek ordered that the gunboat Michigan should be stationed at Johnson's Island to prevent the threatened liberation of the rebel prisoners confined there. By a special treaty with Great Britain, the United States is prohibited from having more than one gunboat on Lake Erie, and hence a protest was made by England against the Michigan's armament, which was eighteen guns. As the Michigan is confined to the surveillance of Johnson's Island, it is feared that the rebel steamers will ravage our commerce, and perhaps lay Buffalo under contribution. * * * Toledo, Sept. 20. Capt. Orr, from the Island Queen, arrived here from Detroit River this morning and furnished the following statement with regard to the piratical operations in Sandusky last night. The Queen left Sandusky at 3 p.m. yesterday, Captain George W. Orr of the steamer Island Queen FROM SKETCHES AND STORIES OF THE LAKE ERIE ISLANDS. PAGE 80. stopped at Kelly's Island for thirty or forty soldiers, passed to Middle Bass Island where she found the Parsons in possession of the pirates, who at once seized the Queen. The soldiers were paroled as Confederate prisoners, and the passengers sworn to secrecy for twenty-four hours. The Queen was then lashed to the Parsons and both started. The pony engine was broken off, opening a hole in Island Queen's side, and she was cast off and left to sink. The Parsons passed on to the mouth of Sandusky Bay, and after hovering about for some time, apparently

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