New-York daily tribune., 1861-09-11
TRAGICAL AFFAIR AT wILLErTs POINT.

ATTEMPTED DEsERTION IN THE NEw-YoRK
RIFLB REGIMENT-THE FUGTTIyEs FIRED
UPON-Two SOLDIERS SHOT DEAD, AND
POUR WOUNDED DANGEROUSLY.
The n. Y. Rifles, Col LIE Gendre, numbering about
three hundred men, have been for time encamped
at Wietts Point, expecting TO be mustered into the
United States service. On Monday night, about III
O'Clock, upward of forty Of the regiment mostly be-
longing to the company commanded by Captain Cresto
attempted to march from the camp. The appears
to have been dissatisfaction existing among the men
and officers Of the regiment but pa rticulsry between
Captain Creso and the lst Lieutenant Of his company
as it was reported that the Captain had offer of two
hundred dollars If he would take the into another
regiment
1t appears that the plan OF marching away was In
some discovered by the Colonel and to prevent
the men from escaping be had stationed twenty or
thirty Of the regiment with loaded muskets, the
road John Roes Hotel to intercept the deserter
As the ugives approached the guard they chsl-
lenged snd ordered 10 halt, which they did. sharp
dispute arose. the party being determined to leave,
and the other as firmly determined that they should
not As this dispute was going on Sergeant Thomp-
son Of Cresto'e company accidentally fired his pistol,
when the guard, commanded by Lieut.. Georgy, were
ordered TO fire. which they did, killing two and wound
ing four others, among which last was Sergeant
Thompson
The names Of the killed are Francis Marrow and
Dominck Sass privates.
Sergeant Henry Thompson was woauded IN the thigh
NOT dspserousy.
Alexander Sloan received a bad wound in the
shoulders the ball passing through the shoulder rbade,
wac extracted from the back.
I.Ii ,1aAt In skaI he and
Louis Germsny was shot 80 severely in the side and
bowels that be IL not expected to live Two surgeons
were procured from Flushing who dressed tho wound
ed. One of the killed had the top part Of his head
completely shot of, scattering bis brain, on the
ground.
There are various statements about this unhappy
affair, the friends of the different parties concerned
giving different versions of the origin and cOnsumma-
ton Of the difficulty il is stated by members Of the
regiment, who are not parsans of Capt Creso, that
he has made considerable difficulty in the regiment
ever since he joined them, which was at the first
organization and that Col Le Gendre had accepted his
resignation on Monday with tho understanding that be
would Immediately retire from the camp and dissolve
all connection with the command. Capt. Cresto, how
ever, having accepted proposition to transfer lis COM
psny TO another regiment concluded to leave alone.
mans, to accompany him.
The picket guard on Monday night were drawn from
bis Company F), which gave them facilities for desert-
ing, as they were armed with loaded muskets.
Capt Cresto had procured towboat 10 be st White
stone at midnight and take of his Company. About
II o'clock they attempted to DESERT the plan being for
the picket guard to join them on the march. The
Colonel dispatched detachment 10 bring them back,
e. AZ xvith fha
fatal result reported above. stampede followed,
during which q number of Crestos men got away,
though several Of them were brought back to camp.
The Flushing artillery were Immediately ordered
under arms and took possession Of all the landings In
the peiabborhoOd Of the camp They also surrounded
the camp with perfect chain OF sentnes prevent
further desertlOns.
CAPT. Cresto was arrested about daylight yesterday
morning In Flushing L. l., by Sergeant Brush, of the
Hamilton Light Artillery, @ volunteer company en-
campod near that place. He he'd made bis way from
Wilietts Point TO Flushing, where at The hour OF
O'Clock in the morning he went to the house OF Mr.
Harrison and demanded lodging. Being refused, he
departed. AT daylight he was discovered by Sergeant
BrUeh. wrapped up nearly 10 bis feet in d blanket
pacing before hotel and accompanied by one OF his
men.
The sergeant advanced and ordered him TO halt He
drew back, at the time placing his band inside
his blanket as srasp9g %sdsPoIt asaan a% ,ss
him 10 surrender. The private, who had mrskot
under his arm advanced and gave IL into the posses
sion of the sergeantb squad, which was nsar. The
captain then threw aside his blanket and showed his
Uniform saving, in broken manner, am an onicer
YOU have no right TO arrest mel am Captain Cresto
Of Wiiletts Point" Sergeant Brush replied, lyon
are the very man want" and stepped forward, hrs
finger the trigger Of the boree pistol with when no
nenacei the captain. The latter seeing that he could
neither defend himself escape, gave up his sword
and revolver, and was marched Of. He was after
ward placed ia the Jail under guard His pistol was
a six shooter and FIVE Of the barrels were charged.
The private who surrendered was alro locked up.
CAPT. CRKsrOS STORY.
Capt. Cresto occupies q comparatively comfortable
cell the window in which connects with the outer air.
He is an italian by birth, and Is apparently about $,
wears of age. He found lying upon his bed read
ing. On being addressed be promptly came forward,
but declined to make any statement concerning him
self saving thai be was bewdered NEARLY covering
the sdes OF his head with his hands that Il would be
impossble TO do so. Aferward he told his story, in
broken and sometimes almost Ineligible English: He
ssd that few days ago bis st Lieutenant asked leave
Of sbsence for few days. which he gave, but after
ward learned that the Lieutenant was endeayoring
TO obtain an examination as captain. Aherwerd
one Of his came 70 him and stated that
he would have TO 90 into the ranks as private, and
that tie Lieutenant would become the Captain, OF
which there appeared TO be evidence lie then, no
says being poor man, and having family, made up
ble mind that be could not afford TO hight as private,
and would not remain longer in the regiment. There
FORE he officer Of the guard Last night he TOOK
the occasion TO go away, and said to his men thas
body, But just after they had passed off the ground
they encountered guard, whose officer iCaPt Gus
earl demanded chat they should halt. Capt. cresto
answered that he wanted no dificuty-that he was