Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 33.djvu/77

 John Yates Beall, Martyr. 73

federate Navy. Beall's interview with Secretary Mallory convinced him that the plan was feasible, but the project was held in abey- ance.

RAIDS ON THE POTOMAC.

In the meanwhile Captain Beall organized a company to operate on the Lower Potomac, and he made several successful raids. His daring adventures on water caused much excitement in the North, and the Federals made extra effort to capture him, which occurred. He was put in close confinement with Lieutenant B. G. Burley and 20 men, all manacled with heavy irons. Captain Beall sent a note to Secretary Mallory, stating his case, and the Secretary of the Con- federate Navy forthwith placed the same number of General B. F. Butler's soldiers in close confinement. It had the desired effect, and General Butler soon granted an exchange.

CAPTURE OF THE "PHILO PARSONS " and "ISLAND QUEEN."

Captain Beall yearned to release the Confederate prisoners on Johnson's Island. September, 19, 1864, he and several Confed- erates boarded the Philo Parsons at Sandwich, Mich. When the vessel arrived at Amhertsburgh, sixteen men boarded her, with one trunk, containing arms. Very soon Captain Beall exclaimed: "I take possession of the boat in the name of the Confederate States. Resist at your peril !" Quite a commotion prevailed, but when Captain Beall explained matters, the prisoners became reconciled to the situation. They were soon released, and not one cent taken from them. Another vessel, the Island Queen, met the same fate. Thirty Federal soldiers were aboard and all of them were parolled. One vessel was deemed sufficient for the purpose in view, conse- quently the Island Queen was scuttled and sent adrift.

CAPTAIN BEALL'S SCHEME OF OPERATION.

The United States gunboat, Michigan, guarded Johnson's Island, Lake Erie, and its capture was necessary before Captain Beall could release the Confederate prisoners. So it was arranged with Captain C. H. Cole to have the officers of the Michigan at a banquet in Sandusky, Ohio, on the night of the proposed attack and a sig- nal rocket was to be exploded to inform Captain Beall that the offi- cers of the Michigan were absent. There were more than 3,000 Confederate officers on Johnson's Island, where they received bad