New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-08-05
FROM NORFOLK.
The Murder Of Lieot. snnturn-Prob"bie
Verdict Against Dr. Wright.

Corsspondenco Of The N. Y. Tribune.
NORFOLK, Va, Aug l, 1863.
The Military Commission, which has been sitting
h this ei,y for tie trial of DR.. Wright for the murder
of Lieut.. Sanburn of tue let Va. Regiment Colored
Volunteers, has closed its lahore, having found q
verdict, which has been sesied and Forwarded to
Washington for the Presidents approval.
Although what the verdict is cannot be officially
known at present, the evidence elected during the
trial leaves no Doubt that the murderer has been
condemned to death; bur the fact that the two
lawyers who acted at the prleoners counsel have
gone TO Washington 10 eGdoavor TO have Executive
cienency shown 10 their client, awakens some fear
among The loyal people here that the murderer may
yet escape.
There never was more brutal, cowardly, and in
excusable murder ever committed than tie one for
which DR.. Wngh, has just heeni sentenced 10 De
hung. The facts connected with the mnrder are aS
follows:
There ore a vast number OF contrsband NEGROES IN
Norfolk, Portsmouth aud Crsney leland. Inc Gov
eminent, carrying out it's settled pon'E III ieo'Vu
20 this class Of men, has been engaged 10 ioruhus
the N into regiments, and drilling them under good
officers.
This bo, aroused the hatred and anger Of the Sc
cessionists here 10 a wonderful pitch. They formed
secret cabsl for the onrpose OF resisting ths arm
inc of negroes and swore in their wrath that the
6rst white officer who led company Of negro col
eiers through Norfolk should not live 10 do 1t again.
parade Of these colored troops was TO come of.
The Rebels, in secret cOnclave, drew lots 10 zee
which OF their numter should be the assassin. Inc
lot fell upon DR.. Wright. The place and The hour
were fixed, aud invitations were Issued 10 certain
female friends Of the murderer and his cosdlutoTs
60 wi ness the killing Of the " dsinned Yankee.
Incredible 1t msy appear, the wife and daughters
OF the assassin Near al hand to see the MURDER
and 10 gioat over II.
The murderer and his friends assembled in q store
o. Main street, Norfolk by which they knew Lieut..
SSnburn would lead his black soldiers. rs they
approached, Or. Wright stepped forward TO the
door, holding p.siol behind bis back
As Lieut.. Ssnburn passed HIM at the head OF hls
nen, DIR. Wright assaed tim with vulgar words,
and cursed him for " Cd ID sOn OF a b-h.
Lieut.. Ssnburn halted his men, cent one Of them TO
the headquarters OF the ffoVost Gusrd iof
squad ~ take DIR. Wright in custody, and then
walked NJ TO Wright, and told him that he must
consider himself under arrest.
Lieut.. S. tlen turned hs back totoard has 0ss1s-
sin, to give some order 10 hls men, when wight
Cred, shooting Sanburn "a the back u tiI head. As
the officer faced toward bis mnrderer, Wright again
fred, this time woundiDg him in Lis arm.
Lieut. 5. then grappled with bis murderer, blt al
most immediately fell and expired. by the action
OF come other officers, Wright was saved from being
killed by the negro soldiers, and gwen over 10 the
Provost Guard, who had by this time arrived.
His wife and daughter accompanied BIN TO jail,
comforting by the assurance that the " nasty Yam
KEGS would net dare TO hurt lin, Notwithstanding
which, be is now sentenced 20 death.
And now, strangest Of all, two men who call
themselves good and loyal citizens, ard who perhaps
Are. have gone 10 Washington TO influence the Ex-
scuiive and the Attorney General TO &c. asde this
verdict, and to paroon the assassin.
Que Of these men excuses himself by saying that
be is a lawyer, and Goes 1t for money the other
says he does II for popularity II they should sue
reed, which God fofDij. Ibe NJ gro recruiting and
Suhstipg will probably cease, and the city b gwen
M TO the rule OF the assassin Rebels.