Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1861-10-02
4 Tragedy and a Fatal Blunder.


DARNEsTUwN, Sept 23.-A tragical occur
renee transpired near this village yesterday,
in the Pennsylvania 10th regiment, Colonel
Knipe, On their way to join General Banks
column Ia the regiment is a company COM
posed principally Of Irishmen, who have
given The commander much trouble When
near Muddy Eun two Of the men got en-
Gagged III fight and one Of them named
Lanahan, of company |. very bad charac-
ter, was by order Of Major Arnold Q. Lewis
tied to the rear ol ii baggage wagon. After
proceeding about mile it was reported to
Major Lewis that Lanahan was at large
with loaded gun in his hands. The Major,
accompanied 10y Assistant Surgeon W. Chas.
Rogers, rode towards Lanahan and ordered
him to give up the gun. Lanahan refused,
and while the Major was in the act of get
ting of his horse to enforce his order, Lana
ham retreated a few PAGES took deliberate
aim, and shot the Major in the back with u
ball and three buckshyt. Fhe latter fell and
expired in three minutes SithOut utterIng a
word. Lanahan was secured, AMI the body
Of the unfortunate officer was placed IN u
wagon and guarded 20 the camp. Lanahan
is now in the hands Of the Provost Marshall,
and will be tried by drum head court, prob
ably to day. The murderer is a resident Of
Scranton, Pennsylvania.
Major Lewis was thirty two years of age,
was married about year ago, and leaves a
wife but no children. lie served in the
Mexican war, and on the breaking out of the
present rebellion was editing the Catasaqua
tLehigh county, Herald, which occupation
he resigned to enter the army. He was
dearly beloved by the whole regiment, and
bis death hangs like pail upon the spirits
Of his associates.
Melancholy CataStrOlhe-Anotfer BluHder-
Colonel Owen'S Regiment Fires on Batcr's S
and Barter'S Regiments.
The advance of General Smith on Falls
Church from the Chain Bridge was attended
by events of the most deplorable character.
Having passed Yanderwercker' and Wander
berg's houses on their way to the former
place, and when about half mile from it,
by some unaccountable blunder Col. Ovens
Philadelphia Irish Regiment, in the darkness
of the night mistaking for rebels Captain
Motifs battery, which was in the Gdaynce,
sustained by General Bakers California Reg
iment, Col. Baxter's Philadelphia Fire Zou.
aves, and Col. Friedman's Cavalry, fred q
full yolley into the troops last mentioned,
killing and wounding large number. The
CalltOrnia regiment, not knowing whence
the firing came, returned It WITH marked et-
feet. The horses attached to Motifs battery
became unmanageable, and the tongues of
the caissons were broken owing to the mar
rowness of the road. Lieut. Bryant, having
command OF the first section, ordered the
guns to be loaded with grape and cennister,
aud soon had them in range TO rake the sup
posed enemy, when word was sent to him
that he vas ip the company of friends. All
was excitement, and a long time elapsed be-
fore the actual conditien OF affairs was ascer-
tanned and confidence re established. Many
confused stories prevail as to the parties on
whom the blame should rest
ILia Of Killed and founded.
The killed of Capt. Motifs battery is Tim
othy Ray.
K9mGsd,-C0rpQral Bartlett and private