The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-08-05
OUR NEWPORT NEWS CORRESPONDENCE.

bN" 'ic men tIer lull ratIohs
OUR NEWPORT NEWS CORRESPONDENCE.
NEWPORT News, August l, 1861.
A man named Michael Cogley, belonging to Company A.
FIRST regiment New York Volunteers was shot last even
ing ny Captain Bernard of same company The ball en-
tered the neck on the right sde the collar bone and
came out on The upper part Of the shoulder is not con
sidered dangerous The particulars OF the affair as near
as can learn foows-Iae in the afternoon Cog
icy got drunk aud was put in tho guard house About
eight O'Clock he escaped from the guard house and went
10 his tent and being greatly excited by liquor he dared
any one 10 take him out of his tent the guard house
First Sergeant Yeppcr OF the company instantly ran To
him and was trying TO alay his excitement, ard had
taken his muske from him and Cogey had consented to
20 with him. but Cogey still retained the onc re-
fused to DO taken by any one else but tho Sergeant
just ut this moment Captain Bernard made
his appearance at the door of tho tent and
ordered Cooley to lay down the bayonet and
60 with him TO the guard house, which Cogley
refusing TO do, Captain Bernard instantly drew his
pistol and sho, him. Cogey fell the ground AS il was
supposed mortally wounded. The doctor was quickly
upon the spot and had the wounded man taken to the
hospital, and In few moment he skifaly extracted the
ball and had the man as comfortable possible Captain
Bernard Immediately fed TO Colonel Phelps Headquarters
and was sent aboard the steamer Express lying al the
wharf Company A, and in fact nearly the whole req
ment were In fearful state of excitement all the even
ing and could Captain have been found by any of the
members OF his company he would have been killed as
the feeling against him Is most intense The particulars
OF the AFFAIR received from Sergeant Yepper who was
supporting Cogley when lie shot, the ball passing
close by the Sergeants head Captain Bernards version
OF the AFFAIR is that private Cooley very nsubordnate
and abusive, and threatened TO take his Captain B's)
HE, and that he shot him in self defence have not vet
learned that tho Captain has been arrested what steps
wii be taken to examine into the matter 1t is to be
hoped that will be brought to trial aud Justice done for
III ! n
Some Of the most disgrnceul that have ever
witnessed have occurred during the past week at Camp
Butler, Newport News. These have been caused by King
Alcohol who has been having full sway here and IL is
only during the past few days that any measures
have been taken 10 suppress the sale of liquor this post
and scenes Of violence and were be met
with at all hours of the day and night some officers
as wen as privaes seemed TO have lost atsef respect
and have become disgrace TO themselves aud also to
the position they occupy In the First and Seventh reg
ments, New York Volunteers, have noticed drunk
eaness than in any Other regiments; in fact, cases
have come under my observation. in either the First Yer
mont regiment, Colonel Hawkins, Ninth regiment New
York Volunteers But IN the First regiment Colonel VIM
H. AHens IL has become regular habit with several Off
GERS to make beasts of themselves with quor thus setting
disgusting example for those under their command
This regiment is inta complete of demoralsaton
and a''nos; OF insubordnation, caused by the
absence Of Colonel Allen, while am informed that
previous 10 his arrest the regiment would
compare favorably with any regiment this post in dis
cpline and good order Since his confinement at Fort
Monroe there have been efforts Keen up the
character Of the regiment but, the contrary there
has been series Of drunken quarres msnt aimed among
The regiment is in perfect fever u excitement
awaiting the decision Of the court martial IL will proba
bly, he known bore on Mondny next upon decision
The fate OF the regiment now hangs should he be
missed from the service the regiment will have dis
banded for all the good ofcersand there number
IN the Iegiment-wl resign, or possible, have their
companies transferred and attached another regiment
Should the charges against the Colonel be dismissed and
he BIO honorably acquitted, ! have every reason 10
believe that the regiment will be rcorganized and with
few removals Of officers, and efficient temperate men
to ill their places may become an ornament of
me- Wi faror
bly, with any here and only need good officers ana course
Of thorough discipline " make them good and scryicea
bic regiment.
The resignation Of Colonel John f. Bendix Seventh
regiment New York Volunteers has been accepted AMI he
will leave here next week for New York. He will proba
bly, bring another regiment into the field very us he
Is well known to be able and efficient officer and well
Versed in military tactics Board Of Inquiry met at
Camp Butler yesterday to examine the claims and APP
praise the property destroyed and used oos at
mis- place said property being supposed 70 belong to VIM
j. Wilbur and g. H. Merriam. Tie following named
officers detailed TO Investigate and danages
Major IT. n Worden, First regiment Vermont Volunteers
Ninth regiment New Yo4 volunteers and Icaiepopt
T. Christensen First New York Volunteers The property
claimed 10 have been croTs Of wheat corn
and potatoes on the ground where Damp Butler IL now
located Four horses ami cafinee twenty head OF
cattle and one hundred hoes were n sid 10 6aye heen
taken by our troops. There fair estuatc made
upon the above named crops and stock, Mr. Wilbur also
claimed thousand dollars for negro twenty-five
years old and six hundred dolaa apiece for two negro
boys aged ten and twelve years. bit the Board could not
see the claim in the same light Mr. Wilbur, took
notice OF the ntfabands The place is becoming filed
with datRies and unless are taken to
dispose Of them, 1t will cost much to keep them
in food and clothing, as does for OF reg mcnts
There is splendid opening at this point for Gene
Greeley and Chaplain Beecher to recruit regiment from
among the contraband at This place Many of them al
ready uniformed N the cast oclohng the soldiers anil
with little training and few Brother
Beechcr they would soon be IN trim 10 take the ei
uness they taken Of by their abolition friends
they viii soon become burtlcn, and heavy tax
for which 20 provision has rs yet been made Additions
are being daily made to the already large number around
Fortress Monroe There here who, at the North
were of the Greeley school Of abshonsts and never
knew anything about the Southern negroes they are
heartily sick Of them and that unless they are
actually driven to il, they will do anything to earn
their living. Almost all the officers have coDtraband |
servants and expect that the prvatcs aso viii be fur
nished with them ere long