The Express.
London, England, 1861-09-16 00:00:00

TWO OPIICERS SHOT BY L PRIVATB

SOLDIER.

The Pewits Chromicle of Saturday publiahe% the
following in a third edition :—" A fearful tragedy,by which
the lives of two military officers have been endangered, and
by which, in all probability, one will be sacrificed, occurred
at Futweed Barracks this forenoon. In the orderly room
this (Saturday) morning a soldier of the 32nd Iteliment, of
the name of M'Cafferay, a young nun of about 20 year, of
age, a native of Preston, who has been in the regiment
about eleven months, was brought before the officer', and
for some breach of military discipline and neglect of duty,
was sentenced to confinement within the barracks for fete.
teen days. On leaving the room M'Cafferay made no
remark, but went direct to hie own room, which was in the
K passage, on the west side of the first, or infantry, qua-
drangle. He took his rifle down, and asked a comrade for a
piece of greased rag, which was given him, and he cleaned
the weapon with it. He then went to an adjoining pwaage,
where it is ■apposed he loaded the rifle. Immediately
afterwards, namely about 11 o'clock, Colonel Crofton, the
colonel of the depot battalion at the barracks, and Captain
Ilanhan, the adjutant of the battalion, were walking across
the square. M'Cafferay was thee seen to kneel down at the
window of his room, take a deliberate situ, and immediately
fire. Both officers were struck, and Col. Croftoe stepped
back a few paces, threw up his arms, and viol, ' Oh, my God,
lam shot.' A number of officers were at the time walking
on the flags in front of the officers quarters at the north
side of the quadrangle, who saw that Colonel Crofton and
Captain Hanhau had been hit. They hastened to their
assistance. Captain Harahan managed to walk to his room
without assistance, but Colonel Crofton was so severely
wounded that he had to be helped to his quarters.
Medical assistance was at once procured, when it was found
that the ball had struck Colonel Crofton on his left side,
gone through his left lung, and out at his right side. It had
then struck the adjutant, gone through his left arm, sad
lodged in his spine, whence it was, about an hour afterwards,
extracted by Dr. Mead and Dr. Clark, the medical officers
of the barracks, and in the presence of Dr. Hammond, of
Preston, who had been called in to their assistance.
M'Caffemy was at once apprehended. lie coolly said to the
soldier who seized him, ' Take my rifle.' The civil autho-
rities were communicated with, and he was taken into
custody by Mr. Superintendent Giesii, of the county
constabulary. When taken in charge he merely said that he
had not intended to hit Colonel Crofton, implying, it was
understood, that he had been desirous of shooting Captain
Harahan. Both the wounded gentlemen are in a very
dangerous state ; the colonel's case is, however, considered
the more imminent. The sad event, as may naturally be
expected, has caused a mast painful feeling, not only
amongst every rank at the barracks, but throughout the
town, where the news of so cold•bloodod and murderous an
attempt on the lives of two superior officers by a soldier was
received with the utmost incredulity. M'Cefferay was re-
moved in the charge of Captain Elgen and Mr. Green to
the Houso of Correction. We understand that the accused
will be brought before the county magistrates on Monday,
to answer the serious charge. M`Cafferay has not borne
the best character while in the regiment. His father also
was transported a few years since for being concerned in a
poaching affray."