The Sun.
London, England, 1865-05-06 00:00:00

CHIPPENHAM.

Mr. W. J. Lysley, the Liberal member for Chip-
penham, has issued an address to the electors, stating
that he intends to seek re-election. Sir John Neeld
will be brought forward by the Conservatives, but
it is not yet known whether that party will bring for-
ward another candidate in place Of Mr. R. P. Long.

Capture of Salisbury and Mobile.

Gen. Stoneman reports that at Salisbury he found
about 3,000 troops, under the command of Major-
Gen. Gardiner, and 14 pieces of artillery, under
command of Col. (late Lieut.-Gen.) Pemberton,
the whole formed behind Grant's Creek, about 10i
miles from Salisbury. As soon as a proper disposi-
tion could be made Stoneman ordered a charge on
the entire line, and the result was the capture of the
whole 14 pieces of artillery, 1,364 prisoners, includ-
ing 55 officers. The remainder of the force was
chased through and several miles beyond the town,
but scattered and escaped into the woods. He scuds
the following partial list of the public property cap-
tured north of Salisbury and destroyed—Four large
cotton factories and 7,000 bales of cotton ; four
large magazines, containing 10,000 stand of small
arms and accoutrements; 1,000,000 rounds of small
arm ammunition, 1,600 rounds of fixed artillery
ammunition and 7,0001 b. of powder, 35,000 bushels
of corn, 50,000 bushels of wheat, 160,0001 b. of cured
bacon, 100,000 suits of grey uniforms and clothing,
and 250,000 army blankets, 20,0001 b. of harness
leather, 10,900 th. of saltpetre, also a large amount of
sugar, salt, rice, and other stores, and medical sup-
plies, valued by the rebel medical directors at
$lOO,OOO in gold. In addition to the arsenals at
Salisbury the military was being fitted up, and was-
filled with machinery sent from Raleigh and Rich-
mond, all of which was destroyed. Gen. Stoneman
adds—" The depots along the route traversed by
our various parties have furnished us with abund-
ance. The number of horses and mules captured
and taken along the road I have no means of esti-
mating. I can say, however, that we are much
better mounted than when we left Knoxville. We
have a surplus of led animals, and sufficient besides
to haul off all our captives, mount a portion of the
prisoners, and about a thousand contrabands,
and this after crossing Stone Mountains once,
and the Blue Ridge three times, and a march
made by headquarters since the 20th of last month
of 500 miles, and much more by portions of the (
command. The rapidity of our movements in 1
almost every instance caused our advanced guard
to herald our approach, and make the surprise com-
plete." At Mobile the chief fighting was in the
capture of the forts. The New York Times corre-
spondent writes On Saturday, the Bth inst.,
all day great preparations were made to get every
piece of ordnance in position, which was accom-
plised about five o'clock p.m. Twenty-two heavy
Parrots were got within half a mile of Spanish Fort,
and half as many mortars, while the 12th Indiana,
7th Massachusetts, and 21st New York batteries
were advanced to within one-third of a mile of the
enemy's works. At a given time, our entire artil-
lery, assisted by two of our gunboats, blazed away
with great fury and alacrity, and at the same tune
our sappers and skirmishers advanced and killed
every rebel artillerist who showed his head. For
several hours the roar of artillery was one of the
most awful I have ever heard, with the additional
vociferations of 20,000 men. As night progressed
there was no abatement of the thunder of our artil-
lery and the racket of our musketry, while the faint-
ness of the enemy's response grew more and more
visible, until shortly after midnight, when the firinglnan
from Spanish Fort almost entirely ceased
hour after the fort surrendered, and at a quarter to
two on the morning of April 9 our troops were in
possession of Spanish Fort and Fort Alexandria,
and all they contained, including 20. odd pieces of ar-
tillery, a vast amount of ammunition, one general
1,000 prisoners. The guns of both
officer, and nearly
forts were immediately turned on Forts Tracy and
Huger in the harbour, at the mouth of the Blakely
and. Apalachee Rivers, but failed to elicit a reply.
It was subsequently ascertained both works were
abandoned by the enemy, after spiking eight heavy
guns. Our monitors and gunboats now went to
work, assisted by some prisoners, and in a short
time succeeded in removing between 30 and 40 tor-
pedoes, and running up almost within shelling
dis-
tance of Mobile. The gunboat Cherokee moved up
at night close enough to throw several shells at the
enemy's water batteries, but without getting a re-
turn fire. Shortly after the capture of Spanish Fort,
intelligence of the capture and the fall of Richmond
was read to the troops, in connexion with orders to
attack Fort Blakely. Acclamations rent the air,
and immediately almost the entire force moved on
the enemy's works. The fire from the rebel bat-

V ZS 1

teries was most terrible for a short time,- but, failec:"
to check the advance of our intrepid tisOps,.livlio,-V4
under a murderous fire of grape and cani3t4:i.
head, and torpedoes under foot, tore away4tbe7ii
elaborately constructed abbatis and chevaux de frisc,
swept over the ditches, and at the point of the
bayonet carried the whole line of works. The suc-
cess of the assault was manifested by the vociferous
shouts of the troops, and for many minutes their
demonstrations of joy exhibited no signs of relaxa- ,
tion or discontinuance. Quiet at last prevailed,
but was again disturbed when the announcement
was made that the result of the assault was the cap-
ture of several batteries of artillery, large quantities
of ammunition, Generals Gibson and Tiddell, and
nearly 4,000 prisoners. Our loss in the whole affair
is much less than 2,000 killed and wounded, and
none missing. The enemy's loss in killed and
wounded will amount to about 1,500. A division
of coloured troops under General Hawkins, on our
extreme right, behaved handsomely, and, like their
white comrades, exhibited unmistakable pluck and
intrepidity. The enemy's works were very strong,
-and during the assault our lines were enfiladed by
12.4-pounder shells from the rebel ironclads Nash-
ville and Huntsville. During the whole siege our
troops exhibited the most remarkable valour and
endurance. For two weeks the enemy's forts on
shore and in the bay and four gunboats kept up an
unceasing fire day and night."

The Alleged Murder of a Young Woman
by a Soldier.

Yesterday afternoon, Mr. C. St. Clair Bedford held an
investigation at the Westminster Hospital into the circum-
stances attending the death of Margaret Sheridan, aged 33
years, who was burnt to death, it was alleged, by the act of
a private of tho Grenadier Guards, named Thomas Har-
rington.

Inspector Humphreys had the management of the case
for the police authorities.
The man Harrington was brought up before the court by
an escort, under the orders of the military authorities.
Catherine Sheridan, 31, Golden-lane, Barbican, said that
the deceased was her daughter. She had been a servant,
but she was latterly out of a situation, witness 'believed.
George Graham, 186 B, said that he was called in to the
deceased on Sunday morning and found her dreadfully
burning. He tore all the clothes off her, and as she was
naked, and then out in the yard he put her into the water-
closet while he went and got a sheet to put over her.
Witness asked how it had occurred. She answered that the
soldier had set her on fire, and that she rolledon to the bed
to try and get the flames out, and that thereby she set fire
to the bed. Witness then went into the parlour and saw the
bed all burnt. He saw no candle. He met the soldier in
the passage. He seemed to be sober. The deceased did not
then seem to be the worse for drink. Witness heard Ser-
geant Mason, a quarter of an hour afterwards, ask the sol-
dier how it occurred. The soldier said, " I know nothing
about it." The sergeant said, " You must know something
about it, for you were in the room." To which the other
replied, " I only that moment entered the room. She was
on fire then, and I pulled her off the bed." He said he went
there to pass the night with her. The sergeant said, "Why
did you not say at first that she was on fire when you went
in." The soldier then replied, " Well, I was there a little
time before." That is a curious sort of yarn, said the ser--
geant, " and I shall take your name.

George Humphrey; inspector of police, said that at eight
o'clock on Sunday evening he went to the hospital and saw
the deceased. She said that she believed she was dying.
She was quite collected. Witness asked her to tell him the
exact truth with regard to what had happened. She then
said—" On Saturday night a girl called Staffordshire Liz
let in a soldier and a civilian. Liz and the civilian went
out, leaving me with the soldier. About twelve o'clock
the soldier tried to get the upper hand of me. When he
found I would not let him he set fire to the back of my
dress with a match, and threw two lighted matches in my
lap. Liz had taken the candle away. She came back and
got into the bed with the soldier. I threw myself on the
bed to put the fire out, and neither of them would assist me
in putting it out. I then ran into the passage. I recollect
nothing more. I was not sober, nor was Liz or the soldier.
I think the soldier goes by the name of Jack Roberts,
Grenadier Guards."' Witness caused inquiries to be made,
but there was nothing ascertained to strengthen her state-
ment. She made a similar deposition in presence of the
soldier on the Monday, before the magistrate.
John Coulson, 17, St. Ann-street, labourer, said that when
he went into the room, after the alarm of fire, he saw a
candle, not alight, on the floor. There was a pipe on the
table. It was daylight at the time. The candle was in a
candlestick, and had " guttered" much; the tallow had
melted down from the wick. The pipe was deceased's pipe,
and she was in the habit of smoking.
Thos. Minchington, 64, Orchard-street, a shopkeeper, said
that he ran into the yard, where he found deceased burnt
and groaning. She said that the candle had set her on fire.
She also explained to witness that she leant against the
candle and caught fire, and that she rolled on the bed to
put out the flames. The bed was fiercely burning- in the
parlour, and witness put the window shutters on it to keep
down the flames. The candlestick was four feet away, but
was quite hot. There were matches lying about.
Inspector Humphreys said that the statement of the wit-
ness was quite new to him.

The witness said that some of the police must have
known of that statement. He had repeated to several
persons what deceased had told him. Witness's son, also
knowing the deceased, put the same question to her, and
she said that the candle had set her on fire.
In answer to the Coroner,
Inspector Humphreys said that the soldier, Harrington,
was under remand, and was out upon recognisances.
Thomas Harrington was then cautioned in the usual
manner, and having expressed a wish to be examined, he
said that about a quarter-past one o'clock last Sun-
day morning he went to 17, St. Ann-street, and having
knocked he was admitted. There were three young women
there, the deceased being one. He was in drink at tho
time, and he took off his tunic and boots. Ho laid on the
bed and fell asleep. He did not know exactly when ho
awoke, but it appeared to be night and the candle was alight.
Deceased was sitting down. Witness went out to the closet,
and there fell asleep. When he awoke it was daylight, and
he heard screams. He went into the back parlour, and
there saw the deceased in flames and reclining towards the
bed. There was no candle alight then. He began pulling
the " fire " off her. A policeman came. Witness got part of
his clothes and his boots the fireman gave him when the
fire was over. He gave his name to the police, and went
straight to the barracks, where ho was confined for being
out without leave. Ho had nothing more to say.
The Jury expressed a desire to have evidence as to the
statement made by the deceased before the magistrates.
The Coroner said he should adjourn the proceedings '"
with a view to obtain the additional evidence necessary.
The court was accordingly adjourned.

LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC MEETINGS FOR THE
ENSUING WEEK.—Monday—Royal Institution, at 2,
General monthly meeting ; Geographical, at Eq--„ " Physical
Geography of Seas between England and India," Captain
Toynbee ; "Rovuma River, East Africa," Dr. Kirk ; "Re-
cent Travels in Madagascar," Dr. Gunst. Tuesday—Royal
Institution, at 4, " Chemistry," Professor Frankland ;
Actuaries, at 41; Syro-Egyptian, at 71-, "-Book of Revela-
tions," Mr. Sharpe ; Ethnological, at 8, " Indians of South
America," Sir Woodbine Parish ; Photographic, at 8, " Dry
Plate Phytography," Major Russell; Engineers, at 8,
" Uniform Stress in Girder Work," " Maintenance of
Railway Rolling Stock," Mr. Fletcher; Zoological, at 81
" Cyclanosteus," Dr. Grey ; " Supposed New Zebra, South
Africa," Mr. Babies. Wednesday—Archwological, at 4},
annual general meeting; Society of Arts, at 8, "Laying
Submarine Cables from Ships," Captain Selwyn, R.N. ;
Geological, at 8, "Rocks, South New Brunswick," Mr
Matthew ; " Results of Observations in Baden," &c., Dr.
Sandberger ; " Changes in Geological Map of South
Africa," Mr. Rubidge ; Graphic, at 8; Microscopical, at 8.
Thursday—Royal Institution, at 4, " Chemistry," Pro-
fessor Frankland ; Royal, at 81- ; Antiquaries, at 81.
Friday—Royal Institution, at 8 ; " Magenta from Coal
Tar," Mr. Field. Saturday—Royal Institution, at 4.
Physical Accompaniments of Mind," Professor B •
n.—
Athenman.

---
MUTINY AND MURDER.—On the 19th of March
the captain of the William Tell, an American ship,
boarded the English ship Orix, anchored outside the reef
at Pernambuco, for the purpose of leaving 'letters for tho
American Consul, after which the William Tell pursued
her voyage, but came in sight next evening, having signals
hoisted of mutiny on board and assistance wanted. On
being boarded the next morning the first mate stated that
on the 19th, at 9 44 pm., hearing a groan in the cabin, ho
went down and found the second mate on the floor,
covered with blood, and the left side of his face broken by
a hatchet stroke. On questioning him the wounded man
said he was awakened from his sleep by the blow, and
could not identify the assassin. The first mate then ran to
the captain's cabin and shouted to him that there was
mutiny on board, but not being able to rouse him he pro-
cured a light, and then discovered the captain dead, and
with his throat and head cut in various parts with a hatchet.
The mate then hastened to the quarter deck and called
those sailors whom he had most confidence in, and, arming
them and himself, seized and ironed six others whom he
suspected, and then changed the vessel's course for Per-
nambuco, in order to hand them over to the Consul. This
gentleman, Mr. Adamson, as soon as he heard of the fatal
occurrence, went on board with a posse of the city police,
and had three men brCiught on shore in custody. No
motives were ascertained for the outrages, and the only
stuck to
blood at the, eye and some hairs from to the
proofs found were some spots of bloowdbofonbthweae wet, shirto faosnife
of the prisoners, the right sleeve
of
recently washed, and a hatchet, which
a be
had somear coagulatedduc
blade. The body of the captain, whose name was William
W. French, was interred in the English cemetery, and the
second mate was taken to the British Hospital.—Anglo-
Brazilian Times.

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