The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1863-11-04
For The Ashland Union.
Assault, with Attempt to XIII. at
LOudomville.
g LoUDoNvILLE, o.,
HOotohar on 1919

LoUDoNvILLE, o., S
October 20, 1858.
EDIroR AsHBANDsU NIoN "a little over
two years ago, William Hay, a resident of this
Hanover township, enlisted in the Goth Reg
iment Ohio Volunteers, and on the last day of
last year was taken prisoner at the battle of
Stone River and paroled. Since some time
last March he has been at home awaiting an
exchange. Several weeks ago he reported to
the Captain of his company, who is now a re-
cruitiug officer stationed at Mt. Yern on. 1t
was there arranged between them that Hay
should, at a certain time, return to his Regi-
nent. On last Saturday he came to this place
on business, and while here, was arrested by
one Critch6eld, a Deputy Provost Marshall
one of an almost numberless host of such who
are eating out the substance of our people,
and under cover of their little brief authority,
playing such high fantsatic tricks as are a dis
grace to the times in which we live and to the
spirit of the people who tamely submit to
them. ~ bs w $3.50
HaYa who lives a couple of miles from here,
when arrested, asked the privilege of going
home for the purpose of making some arrange
me1G preparatory W ACdN1uS. u
to return the same evening, and to make all
sure, would take with him any one or more
whom the deputy Marshal might select. But
no, Hay, not being a "free American of Afri-
can descent" was entitled to no mercy at the
hands of his august deputyship. To end fur
Their parleying, the Marshal seized Hay with
the intention of dragging him along, when he
I-zJz l1.1o oo.-- H. NTo.oLa1 J,o- liz
pistol, he started to run, as if to escape being
shot. It was a poor attempt at a run, howev-
er, as he was quite drunk, and could have been
overtaken in less than thirty yards. So say
those who saw the whole affair. But unluck-
lily our deputy wasn't inclined to make any ex-
~ertioDs in that way. He relied on his trusty
pistol to bring his victim down, and besides,
it was a rare. chance he then had to show the
people the extent of his authority which he
had received almost directly from Old Abe
himself. He ran a few steps after Hay and
when he had got near enoughtto make his
shots sure, he fred twice. Both balls took eff
feet, entering the back audIodging in the alb
afterward.- On examination, the surgeon pro-
nounced the wounds as probably fatal. Then
our deputy began suddenly to have a lively
sense of the fact that absence of body would
conduce more to his personal safety than pres
ence of mind, and taking most unceremoni-
GUS leave, soon disappeared in 1.-The distance and
the gathering shades of evening. A warrant
for his arrest was Immediately issued and
placed In the hands of the constable who ar
rested him in Ashland on the following day.
The prisoner waived an examination and was
recognized in the sum of $1,000 for his APP
pearanoe at the next term of Common Pleas.
But for the reliance of our citizens that
proper justice would be done in due course of
law, a strong rope and a short shrift would
have ended this astrange, e~ventful history" as
far as the aforesaid deputy was concerned.
Hay suffered the most intense; agony during
the first night after be was shot. lie is now
in less pain, though the chances for his recoy-
cry ale decidedly against him.
1t may be added that Hay has been rather
addicted to drinking to excess at times, and
one of our most earnest home patriots, who,
stomach for the fight" taking advantage of
this fact, first made him drunk and then in
duced him to volunteer. Returning soberness
opened the victims eyes to the fact that he
had been ataken in and done for" Still, as
there was no way of retreat from his act of
enlistment, he determined to fulfill his part of
the contract to the very uttermost, and up to
the present time he has done SO faithfully
Shall the man who by base methods induced
him to enlist, go aquit of all share in the deep
damnation of his attempted murder
HANOVER.