The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1864-02-08

enjoyment oil excellent health up to the very
moment of his death. He was a brother Of
Gen. Wilcox, Of the army of Northern Vir-
ginia. At one time he was Representative
in the Federal Congress from the State Of
Mississippi, and during the Mexican war was
Major OF Mississippi regiment. Truly, "in
the midst Of life we are in DEATH"
Shocking Accident-A Soldier KR1ed-On
Saturday morning last, about half past ten
Court were startled by the report of a heavily
loaded musket, which proceeded from the
second story Of the City Hall In an instant
the crowd present rushed up stairs, when
most awful spectacle met their gaze In the
centre of the passage, directly between the
Offices of the Register of the Gas Works aud
5ealer of Weights and Measures, there was
lying well dressed soldier, stark dead,
while the floor for several feet to his right
was strewed with large quantity Of blood
that had spirited from the fatal wound Which
had been inflicted upon the unfortunate vic
tim. On inquiry, 1t was ascertained that
Lieut.. Ferneyhough, with Sergeant and
three men, members of "DAbney's Heavy
Artillery" had been detailed to proceed to
the City Hall for the purpose of obtaining
some blankets, which had been purchased
with the appropriation made by the City
Council for the rel ef of the soldiers from
this CITY, While the Lieutenant and Ser
geant, in company with Councilman Jas. A.
Scott and Mr.. JAS. Epps, were in the room
occupied by the Sealer of Weights and
Measures, selecting the blankets, Robert A.
Crump and Daniel Callahan, alias John Ad-
ANS, who were outside the room, began to
fence in play with their muskets, when the
weapon in the hands of Crump accidentally
fired of, driving the entire lOai through the
head of Callahan, and embedding the ball in
the brick wall at the north end OF the build
ing. Simultaneous with the discharge OF the
musket, the unfortunate man reeled around
once or twice, when he fell a corpse into the
arms of his distressed cOmrade and murderer,
who, seeing what he had done; rushed to-
wards him in time to prevent his falling In
his own gore. There was only one witness
to the deed, and his testimony substantiated
the facts of the case as above stated. Upon
examination of the body, 1t was found that
the ball had entered the right nostril and
passed out in direct line at the back part
of his head, penetrating through the brain.
The distress of Crump since the unfortunate
afIlir has been painful to witness, and ne has
the sympathy of all who have seen him
That the melancholy circumstance was
purely accidental there is not doubt, for it
is admitted by all the members OF his COM
pany that the deceased and himself were on
terms Of the most intimate friendship, and
only q few minutes before the accident they
were seen laughing and talking Ill the most
agreeable mauner. Crump is about twenty
two years Of age, aud we learn, was born
and raised on Union Hill, in lIenrico county.
The deceased was originally from Boston,
but had been a resident Of this city for a
number OF years. He was about nincteon
years of age, and entered the service as u
substitute before he was liable to military
duty. He has father and sister living in
Richmond, both of whom, on hearing OF his
sudden death, Immediately repaired to the
scene of the occurrence, and remained with
him till the removal Of his body to their
residence Upon first observing the lifelcss
form of Callahan, his sister and father
seemed over 1hemed with grief, and their
lamentations might be heard some distance
beyond the building.
Capt. Dabney Informs ns that on Friday
night Crump was made a sergeant pro ten,
and had charge oi a guard around some OF
the Government property. AS he was not
required at the time to have musket he
drew the load from his own gun and put it
among some Others. In the morning, how
ever, when he WAS about leaving for his
company, it is highly probable that he got
a muSket belonging to some other member,
which was loaded. The unfortunate man
says he had no idea that the gun was charged
at the time, or he would never have used it
in the manner he did. Crump is regarded as
au excellent soldier, and the other members
attached to the battery are often challenging
him, in playful manner, for bayonet cxer-
else, &c. Unfortunately, he INDUCED in the
sport once too often, the fatal consequences
Of which shonld be a warning to all future
trihing with deadly weapons No one can
be too careful in handling them.
A Jury of inquest was held over the body
of Callahan on Saturday afternoon, who ren
dered q verdict that che came to his death
from the accidental shooting of musket in
the hands of Robert A. Crump.' After
Wards, Captain Dabney took his remains in
charge, and they were yesterday followed to
their last resting place under an escort OF
the whole company.