The Sun.
London, England, 1861-01-07 00:00:00

11 URDER IN PLYMOUTH BARRACKS.

PLYMOUTH, Jan. 6.—Another of those shocking
cases of military insubordination, attended with
murder, that have of late prevailed in the army,
took place in this garrison on Saturday night—a
lance-sergeant of the 61st Regiment being shot
dead by a private of the same regiment at their
quarters in Milbay barracks. The assumed provo-
cation offered to the murderer on this occasion by
his victim was of the most trivial character—the
more apparent cause of the crime being drunken.
ness.
The deceased, Henry Jones, was 33 years of age,
and a native of the parish of St. Mary's, Dover.
He joined the regiment in 1851, since which, for
his creditable services, he had been raised to the
rank of lance-sergeant, and was respected in his
sphere in the regiment. The prisoner, Robert
Hackat, is a native of Queen's county, Ireland,
about 29 years of age, and a very fine-looking
young man. He had served between nine and ten
years in the army. He had served in India in the
96th Regiment, and from that regiment volun-
teered to the 61st, at Dinapore. He afterwards
served at the siege and capture of Delhi, and had
a medal for that service, and also bore a good
conduct stripe. Lately he has been servant to
Lieutenant Hamilton, of the 61st. On Friday the
prisoner was paid his wages by his master, since
which he had been drinking. On Saturday he
ordered, at a public-house adjoining the barracks,
a quart of whisky, a half gallon of ale, and, sub-
sequently, a pint more of whisky, and with some of
his comrades disposed of the liquor. At the din-
ner hour he was visited by an old military pen-
sioner named Purcell, also an Irishman, an itinerent
dealer in blacking, and frequent visitant of the
barracks. Purcell entered into a long con-
versation with the prisoner about the division
of the booty taken at Delhi, and the prisoner
gave him his dinner. The deceased, who
was present, laughed at Purcell's story, and said
to the prisoner, alluding to the pensioner, " Go
along you fool, he is spinning that cuffer' to you
to get your dinner." This remark was much re-
sented by the prisoner, who was subsequently
heard to say that if it had not been for the 50
lashes he would have resented the insult to his
countryman, and struck the deceased. Through-
out the afternoon he continued to drink ; and, on
another occasion, when being asked what he was
putting on his shell-jacket for, he said he did
it because he was sure he should go to the
guard-room that night. Towards the evening he
went to the officers' servants' private room, and
there loaded his rifle, and, returning to barraek-
room No. 8 about six o'clock, he pointed the rifle
into No. 9 room, which was adjoining, and calling
out to. "stand aside," fired at the deceased at
about a distance of 20 feet. Deceased was standing
talking about the orders he had just brought to
Colour-Sergeant Allen. His back was towards the
prisoner. The ball passed through the vertebra of
the spinal column, and through the epigastric
region, and struck against the opposite wall. De-,
ceased staggered, fell, and died instantaneously.
The prisoner was immediately captured, making
no resistance. He was taken from the barrack
to the police cells. When there he said he did
not intend to shoot Jones, but some one else.
During the night he maintained a spirit of bravado ;
but towards the morning, as the effects of the
drink passed off, he seemed to become sensible of
his position. An inquest will take place on the
body to-morrow at the barracks.

THE POOR LAW BOARD AND THE SIIOREDITCH
WoßKnousE.—Mr. Faradll has been directed to inquire
and report upon the quarrels that have for some time
existed between the workhouse authorities and the magis-
trates of the district. The official inquiry began this morn-
ing. It will occupy several days.
THE COASTGUARD.--The
a:2d Navy Gazette) n
changazeosin the cnocas t-
we(Army
as likely to take place, are to take effect
immediately;
and Captain E. A. Inglefield goes to the
Majestic,
Captain George E. Patey to the Pembroke, and
fgeuvar numbers
which
back
Captain James Willcox, C. 8., to the Dauntless.
THE ACCIDENT ON THE NORTH-WESTERN RAIL.
wAY.—On Saturday night Mr. Brent, the deputy-coroner
for Middlesex, held an inquest at the Drummond Arms,
Drummond-street, Euston-square, relative to the death (I
William Michael Kelly, 37, Upper Baker-street, Regent's-
park, which occurred in consequence of an accident on the
previous night. The cause of the fatal result appeared to
be the breaking of one of the couplino. chains. The inquiry
was, however, adjourned, in order that the carriages might
undergo a minute examination,