The Placer herald., 1856-06-28

gave up the weapon without more ado, and
stood apparently undetermined what course
to pusrue. Mr.. Hopkins was struggling with
Judge Terry for the possession of the rifle,
while Russell was holding an angry controver-
sy with policeman John Nugent. At this
moment pistol in the hands of Russell was
accidentally discharged, the ball passing
through the left lapel of Mr.. Caprice's coat.
At this time DR.. Ashe and Mr.. Bowie were
on the side walk on the north side of the
street half way between the Alley and engine
house of Pennsylvania Co. No. II.
Meoney Bowie, Rowe and McNabb were
fastening towards the Armory, Mr.. Hop
kins had taken hold the barrel of Terry's
rifle, and Terry was in the act of pulling the
trigger, but Mr. Caprice succeeded in wrench
ing Terry's right hand away from the guard
while Hopkins still retained his hold of the
rifle. Terry managed to free his hand from
the grasp of Caprice, and with a rapid move
ment drew out his knife and plunged it into
Hopkins neck: with this Terry let go the
rifle and accompanied by Ashe fastened to
the Armory.
Some minutes had elapsed before the per-
sons in the company of Hopkins was aware
lutt lC iltu pScll SltUUCll, 81 Ia I'ltl HN Soh-
fused were the movements which we have at
tempted to describe. Mr.. Hopkins did not
stagger or show any signs of being wounded
until he reached the door of the Pennsylvania
engine house, where he was almost instantly
attended by DR.. r. b. Cole and other ply
scians. 1t was found that the blade had pen
etrated the left side of the neck, and passing
inward and forward severing the carotid artery
and wounding other important parts.
THE ALARM AND RESPONSE OF THE COMMITTEE
TRooPs.-RAPID MILITARY MOVEMENTS.
The scene which followed the announce
ment that one of the Committee men had
been struck down while in performance of
his duty, is hardly to be described. At the
tap of the alarm bell on the roof Of the Sac
ramento street Armory, at least one thousand
infantry were under arms; three hundred
cavalry troops sprang into the saddle, and a
few minutes later five companies Of artillery
were reported ready for service. We had
heard of the remarkable proficiency exhibit
ed by the Committee troops, at their nightly
drills and we had some proof OF the tormlda-
bility Of two thousand men under arms, on
the occasion of the taking Of the county jail;
but it required an emergency like that of
Saturday to fully illustrate the immense
strength and efficiency of the peoples army.
The movement of the troops was necessarily
rapid but there was no confusion; indeed, but
single accident Of any consequence occur
red during the whole proceeding, and that
was the accidental discharge of a pistol be-
longing to one of the Citizens guard which
became loose and fell from the holster while
the regiment was passing up Washington
street on full run. The movement of the
Citizen Guard, numbering some three hun
dred men, was a remarkable sight, Starting
on a full run, they maintained the order and
precision of the line, and defled into squads
or closed up the ranks with the greatest IA
pdity at the word of command.
INvEsTURE OF THE ARMORIEs OF THE oPPO-
sInON TROOPS.
Within twenty minutes after the first alarm,
there were four thousand infantry troops
under arms, and prepared to undertake any
enterprise necessary for the complete over
throw of the "aw and ORDER forces, who had
begun to assemble at their armolies and
were preparing to make resistance. An artil-
lery company with two field pieces. were sta
toned at the corner of Kearny and Clay
streets, in front OF the old California Ex-
change building, where it was known that a
considerable quantity Of arms and ammunition
Of the opposition We're stored, in their armory,
on the second floor Of the building. A troop
of cavalry were drawn up on Washington ST.,
in front Of Palmer, Cook d Co.'S Bank,
the building in which the office of the Navy
Agent is located, and where it was, for some
reason, suspected that arms had been placed
for the use of the opposition troops. Small
detachments were stationed at the doors OF
other buildings in different parts Of the city,
where ever it was known that claw and order
companies had met for drill. With the view
of preventing the members from obtaining
possession of their arms.
The main body of the Vigilant troops
we're drawn up on both side Of the armory
at the corner of Dupont and Kearny streets,
where Judge Terry and his party had taken
refuge The iron doors and window shutters
were closed and fastened, and the aspect OF
affairs in that vicinity began to promise warm
work; but after the lapse Of fifteen minutes or
more, the party inside through DR.. Ashe, gave
notice that they did not contemplate making
any resistance, but desired to confer with
some member Of the executive committee up
on the terms Of surrender. The request was
granted without hesitation, and soon after a
delegation of the committee, consisting Of
Messrs. Dempster, Vail, Truett, Smiley, and
Tilinghast, made their appearance, and held
short conference with the parties inside,
which ended with a written demand being
made for the surrender of the building, nclu-
ding all the arms and ammunition therein,
together with the persons of Judge Terry,
MeIoney, and Phillips. An answer was re-
quired within fifteen minutes, at the expiration
Of which, the party inside were again notified
of the determination Of the Committee to gain
possession of the building and of the parties
above named. To this was replied that they