Star.
London, England, 1809-09-30 00:00:00

GOUR7S-MARTIAL.

Wednesday a Court-Martial was held at Pimlino on
Serjeant .1. CLINTON, belonging to the recruiting staff
of the tiistrict, " For having been absent without leave,
al, during that time being frequently in a state of
intatication." The Court, after finding him guilty
0 the charge preferred against him, and severely re-
primanding him, ordered that his pay should be sus-
pended for two months.
On Wednesday the 20th inst. a Court-Martial was held at the
Moot-hall, in Leeds, on Lieutenant Wlll. White, of the 22d Re-
giment of Foot, and Lieutenant M. Hiffernan, of the litk ditto.
President—Colonel Goldie, 6th Dragoon Guards.
Lieut. Col. Sibbald, 15th foot Major French, 6th D. G.
Major Milne, 15th foot Conyers, 82d regt.
Capt. Lisle, 19th L. D. Capt. Williamson, 4th foot
M'Docald, 19th foot Firman, s2d
Da'e, 94th foot Wright, 15th foot
Quill, 15th foot Glenle, 15th foot
Wilson 15th foot Hartwell, rich D. G.
• Deputy Judge Advocate—Lieutenant Atcheson, Royal Artillery.
Charge i.—For going into the streets of Leeds, in liquor, on
the night of the :14th of August last and then and there breeding
a disturbance, quarrelling and fighting with some of the inhabi-
tants, which conduct is unbecoming the character of Officers mid
of Gentlemen, contrary to the Articles of War, and subversive
of good order and military discipline.
Charge 11.—For disturbing the peace of the town on the same
night, 24th of August last, by most unwarrantable acts, viz. First,
By committing Wm. Duffield, Chief Constable of the town, who
was in the streets in the execution of his duty, to military con-
Inenient in the regimental guard-house. Secondly—By assaulting
Thomas Sharp, the landlord of the White Bear, Kiriggate, Leeds,
In his (the landlord'.) own house. Thirdly—By committing Win.
• Sommersgill, a dyer, an inhabitant of Mill-Hill, in Leeds, a man
who was quietly drinking in the house of Thomas Sharp, of the
White Bear, to military confinement in the regimental guard-.
house of the 6th Dragoon Guards; which conduct is unbeeonting
the character of officers and of gentlemen, contrary to the articles
-of war, and subversive of good order and military discipline. • I
Charge 111. For calling out the regimental guard of the 6th 1
Dragoon Guards, on the same night, 24th-August last; marching
the said guard into the streets, and these charging the people ;
which conduct is unbecoming the character of officers and of gen-
tlemen, contrary to the articles of war, and subversive of good
order a id military discipline.
The Court being duly formed, and the charges read, the qttes-
• tion of—Guilty, or not Guilty, was put to I,leutenant White,
who pleaded guilty to all the charges. The same question being
'Art to Lieutenant Hiffernan, he pleaded guilty to the first and
not guilty to the second and third charges ; but he afterwards
'mkt-acted his pica of guilty on the first charge, and pleaded, in
general terms, not guilty.
Captain 'Mart, the lirst.witatess called, was informed that
.Lieutenant White having pleaded guilty, it would be necessary
to confine his evidence solely to the case of Lieut. Hiffernan ; the
witness then proceeded to state, that as he was passing along
'Boar •lane, about 9.o'clocit on the night of the 24th of August,
:his attention was attracted by a scuffle in the street; that he sow
the Lieutenant in the crowd, but that so long as he remained;
which was for the space of about three minutes, he was not en-
gaged in the scuffle.
Question by the Cogar—lf Lieutenant Hiffernan had been
'fighting, must you not have seen it ?—A. Yes.
Patrick Sheridan, a private in the Carabineers, deposed, that he
saw lieutenant Illffernarf in the streets abOet rine o'clock on the
night its question ; that severs! Of the towns-people were endea-
rousing to trip him up; *rant the Lieutenant adied for the witness
to go with him, and that be did accompany hint to the White
73eaf, in Kirkgate, but that he could not undertake to say whether
be was drunk or sober.
' Vltlianr Tfliffield, the Chief 'Constable, said, that be saw a dis-
-terhante in Margate; aneFteas infbtrited tfik le Was. occasioned
by two drunken officers; while he was making the inquiry, he'
heard the cry---•' They are corning," and the people synevidtr,(l.
'On looking round, he saw one of the guard approaching with
Jived bayonet; Lieutenant Hiffeman•vraa behind the guard, say-•
ing sot-settling, hut he did not hear what; he then saw others of
_the guard coming, and endeavoured to stop dam, by crying out'{
.tnthetn-4,1 Guard, guard, you are wrong."
Question by the. COURT—Did Lieutenant Hiffernan commit
yoti, orwur he accessary to your committal to the Gliard•Hoise ?
—A. I chargedtirienarit Haman to keep the peace, midi did
not hhu disttrrb the peace afterwards.
.Q. DI. I ioutemwtt Hiffernan go along with tbeltersons who
committed you to the Guard-House?---A. I did not see him.
Q. Did Lieutenant Hillman ternonstrate against your com-
mitment ?—A. Not to my knowledge.
- Q. Was lieutenant Haman aiding and assisting in commit-
ting you to the Gnaril-House?—A. Nor to my It now ledge.
Sesjeatit Coffin, Serjeant of the Guard an tit...24th of August,
, deposed, that Lieutenant Hiffernan was not aiding and assistu:g in
the connuittal of William Duffield to the Guard• House.
Thomas Sharp, of the White Bear public house, said, Lieut•
Hiffernan was present when the assault was committed, upon
bins, but was not one'of the agailants.
• Wm. Sununerigill; dyer, said, be was, on the night of the 24th
tilt. taken from the White Bear, and conunitted to military con-
finement ; but that I.ieut. Hiffernan, though present, did nee take
any part in'his committal.
Serjeant Collin being recalledtogiye evidence out the 34 charm
was asked if lieut. Hiffernan was aiding and abetting in the
charge made by thg guard upon the inhabitants ? ..To which he
answered—" The Lieutenant was present, but did'not assist."
The evidence being gone through, Lieut. Hiffernan was asked •
ih he chew tb make any defence ? This he declined, cittitenting
himself with calling Lieut. Colonel Sibbhid to speak to his general
character and demeanour.
Lieut. Col. Sibbald--" 1 have ktiown I.kut. Hiffernan for 11
months, and 1 do not conceive that there is a more peaceable and
Well4whaved deer in his Majesty's service."
TheCautt was cleared, and soon after adjourned to 11 o'clock
on Thoiaday morning.