The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-11-27
The Murder OF George Ritter ON Board
the United States SlOOp-0f-War Brook
lyn-RevOltinR Cruelty.

We have been placed in possession OF letter addressed
to the sister of George Ritter, the young from this
city who cruelty beaten 70 death board the United
States sloop ofwar Brooklyn, while lying in New York
bay Of Staten Island That such devish acts Of torture
should be perpetrated board of American ships war;
in the presence Of naval officers is burning shame
our country, and disgrace to the flag we
The letter signed by twelve OF the who we're eye
witnesses to the revolving Spectacle and from make
some extracts.
After breaking sister the death Of her brother in
gentle words sailors heart do the
ment s, that the 9TH Of November the deceased
ordered in confinement by Lieut. MITCHELL the officer Of the
deck. marine and the ships corporal, named Charles
Cooper seized Ritter and dragged him to the main hatch.
when Cooper took him by the legs aud pulled him dOwn
the hold OF the ship his head striking each step OF the
der as he was drawn down After this Sergeant Ray of the
Marine Guard struck Ritter in the face With his ceuched
fist several times and then kicked him in the face, say
beach I'll murder you" Ray Afterwards grabbed him
by the hair beat his head against the deck three times
ard then ordered Cooper to bring him gag The order
obeyed and Cooper refused to give Ray the gag
ing he would gag him Cooper then laid Riers head ca
tue deck face upwards. and taking the gag in both
hands, tried to force il Into his mouth Not succeeding in
doing So he raised his clenched fist and struck Ritter
several times in the mouth He thea raised his head and
putting his knee to the back OF his neck forced his
upward with the gag (The gag is about four inches in
circumference foot in lengthy The gag was then
thrown against the bukhead where he laid for twenty
minutes having every appearance OF corpse. Acting
sergeant Powell subsequently in and orders 70
the sentinels not to permit any interfere with
Ritter, or remove the gag from bis mouth About
told that Ritter was suiiocating. He picked him
up and looked at him, and then threw him back
against the bulkhead, saying, Damn him, let him
lay seaman shortly after this touched Ritter and
found him cold, which fact reported to Sergeant
Walsh The gag was then cut from his mouth and the
dead body was then taken out OF the double the
surgeon notified The witnesses to the transaction were
Kept in double irons and not allowed appear the CO.
roner S inquest, or communicate with any person what
ever Cooper Of the principal murderers, was al
lowed to 20 on shore by Captain Farragut aud would
have escaped had not the boats called TO the cit
IN ho,.
Some of the citizens desired to deain the boats crew
as Witnesses but the officer in charge gave his word Of
honor, as officer and gentleman, that he would re-
turn to the shore with Captain Farragut and the Same
boats crew. The boat hoisted up as soon % ii
reached the ship, aud the latter Immediately proceeded
The authorities Of any city at which this ship may ar
rive should cause the Of the parties implicated in
this atrocious murder and the Secretary OF the Navy
will We trust SO act in the prcmsea becomes officer
who cherishcs any regard for his honor aud the
humanity .-PhiJadelphid Ncirs, Nor &c.