Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-01-04

n
Pa avenue yesterday afternoon, which resulted
rom the shooting Of soldier by an officer The
iacu In the case seem to be, that John @, Halter
ougier IN company E, 4th U. 9. Cavalry, (which
company is now performing provost-guard duty
on Pa. svenue,) was coming up that thoroup hfare
nom the direction OF the Capitol, about 2 O'Clock
IN the afternoon. He had nearly reached the cor
ner OF sixth street, when the young and spirited
falo robes hanging In front Of Hunt & Goodwin's
store, which Is few doors east Of the National
Hotel
Halter, although young man, Is an old soldier,
tered the service at the age OF thirteen and 10 now
therefore twenty-five years old. With his expe-
hence be 10 OF course an excellent horseman and
when bis steed exhibited signs Of fear, he at once
object Of Its alarm. Hequietly proceeded to urge
his horse towards the robes, and his skilful man
agement OF the animal soon attracted large num-
per OF spectators. In maneuvering his horse, he
brought IL In contact with another which was
standing In front Of the store. man at this mo-
ment approached him, and ordered him to ride
on and go about his business. Halter turned his
mead and answered In pleasant manner that he
the person speaking (who was not in uniformly or
what right he he had to order him (Halter) away
After few more words had passed Halter turned
away, and was riding towards Seventh street,
walking his horse. He had nearly reached the
corner OF Sixth street when the person who had
interfered with him called to him twice to stop,
which he did not do, but proceeded along very
leisurely up the Avenue. The officer, as he was
now presumed to be, ordered the soldier third
time to stop, and no attention being paid to the
command, he drew a revolver and fred, the ball
entering Halter's back, little to the left Of the
spine, and Just above the waist The wounded
man convulsively placed his hand upon the spot
where the ball entered, exclaiming, "I'm shot!n
He was helped of his horse by some Of the BY
ISLANDERS, and conveyed into Stott's drug store,
and from thence In a hack to the office Of Dr.
Dove, on Four-and- "a half street. who, at the
time, was absent. From DR.. Doves office, he
was conveyed to the Government hospital on
Fifth street, where his wound was attended to by
Dr. White. Upon probing the wound 1t was
found that the ball could not be reached, It hav.
body. 'Ao
The officer who fred the shot was Captain
lately promoted from lieutenancy) Thomas
Turner, Of the 4th infantry. He was arrested by
Patrolmen Wilson and Morgan who were passing
at the time Of the shooting They at once took
him before the Superintendent OF police. Patrol
man Leach soon after went to the superintendent
once with an order from Captain Steele, officer Of
the Provost Guard at the Central uardhouse, for
the arrest Of Capt. Turner, but found he had been
released. Patrolman Leach then returned the
order TO Captain Steele so that IL might ne given
to some one who could identify Captain Turner
That ofdcer was rearrested by the military last
night, and is said to be under guard at his quar-
ters. Il - whole occurrence was witnessed by
great number Of our citizens, so that Il will not
be dimcult to get at the facts Of the case.
Halter's condition 10 very critical this morning
and II 10 feared that the wound will prove to be
fatal one. The officers Of his regiment say that
ne was one OF the best men In the corps-sober,
honest, intelli gent, and reliable. That In nine
wears service he was never charged with any
onense, and was never placed under guard. They
also state that he Is one of the best horsemen in
the country. IL was this accomplishment to which
ne probably owes his wound, as Captain Turner
alleges that he ordered Halter away In conse-
quence Of the crowd he had collected
1t Is stated that Captain Turner represented
himself to be an officer Of the provost guard
to Halter, when he ordered him of, and that he
(Turner) had on at the time a military overcoat
without cape, and a military cap.
Capt Thomas Turner was not graduate of
the West Point Military Academy, but was ap-
pointed Lieutenant Of the 4th Infantry Irregular
army from civil life, having served well as an
omcer OF the three monthe volunteers. He is
son Of Capt Robert Turner, L. s. N.
S-Since writing the above the following
andavit has been made in this case before Jus
tice Dom:
Mr.. Robert NJ Beam, OF Baltimore, appeared
before Justice Dom and made oath that on the
80 instant he was on Pennsylvania avenue near
the corner Of Sixth street at or about 2 O'Clock,
p. m, when man named John c. Halter, dressed
In soldiers apparel, was riding spirited horse
and was coaxing him up to a buffalo robe, OF
which he appeared shy, which attracted a num-
to be Captain Turner, Of the regular service,
came up and spoke to the soldier, when the
soldier wheeled and walked his horse of some
fifteen yards, when the oficer halloed to him to
stop; the young man turned his head and was In
stantly shot through the back by the oficer. He
the bystanders that from all witness saw Of the
Transaction, and he saw the whole Of It, he thinks
the shot was unprovoked on the part Of the SOL
dier.