The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1865-02-23

-Hls 'nterriee nth the Judge Advo-
cate. s-s. .s.----
Yesterday afternoon, Col, Benjamin
M. AnderT lGAMr Nfihe prisoners con-
fined in Mclean Barracks, in this CITY,
for completely sin the Chicago CON
spiracy, made o desperate attempt TO
commit suicide, Between IL and l
o'clock in the afternoon, as one of the
guards engaged as Barrack police
man was in the room in which the
prisoners were confined, Anderson
suddenly snatched a pistol from tho
soldier sbelt, and deliberately cooking
il pointed the weapon at his own heart.
One of his fellow prisoners seeing tho
action of the intended suicide, made a
motion to wrest the pistol from his
hand, but failed in the attempt, and
before others could interfere the pis-
tol was discharged, and the unfortu.
nate man lay on the floor bleeding
.profusely. The interference of bis
friend had somewhat altered the aim
OF Anderson, for the bullet, instead of
lodging in his heart, as he evidently.
intended it should, penetrated the cen.
ter of his stomach, causinga frightful
wound, which will certainly result
fatally. Medical assistance was immc.
dlatciy summoned, but the surgeon,
alter the most cursory examination,
saw that his aid was unavailing, that
the man must die. From the very po-
sltion of the wound, the extraction of
the bullet is almost impracticable, and
though the sufferer may possibly linger
in intense anguish for a day or SO, It is
more than probable that ere this notice
meets our readers, the spirit of the rash
man will have passed unbidden into
the presence of its Maker. Immedi-
atcly on hearing of the occurrence,
Major II. L. Burnett, the Judge Advo-
cate OF the Department and oftho Mill.
tary Commission, before which Colo
mel Anderson was arraigned, repaired
to the barracks and had an interview
with the evidently dying man. On
recognizing his visitor Anderson said,
" l hardly know, Major, whether 1
should shake hands with you or not"
but almost Immediately shook the Of
ticer warmly by the hand. and seemed
almost glad to sec him. Although no
seemed hardly disposed to enter into
the particulars of one or two occur
rences. tho sufferer was quite commu-
nicative, considering The intense ago.
ny which was racking his entiI 9 frame.
lie denied completely with the Chi.
cago conspiracy, but acknowledged
that he had acted unwisely and foolish
ly in many particulars, adding with
much earnestness, though l wei on
ly foolish, know that fooishncss
often becomes crime" Regarding
the letters which have been produced
by the prosecution during the trials,
Anderson admitted their authenticity,
but urged that he had wrote some of
them in spirit of jest. never intend
ing to fulfil tho obligations they i'm
ferred, while somo were emanations
when he was incbriated, and hardly
knew what he was writing. Ander-
son asserts that after ho took bonds
not to take up arms against the Fed
eral Government, he was ever in favor
of tho restoration of the Union, and
consequently never intended to rejoin
the rebel cause. 1t was his intention,
he states, of going to Mexico, and
serving in the army of that country,
though he admits that he might have
told some people that he simply wish
cd to go to Mexico as an easy way of
regaining tho rebel States. When
Major Burnett saw him, the wounded
man, though evidently suffering fear
ful pain, was in full possession Of his
faculties.
Ho evinced no oontrition or even
dissatisfaction at his rash deed, but
stated in cXtenuation or rather as the
reason of his action that "he felt the
trial was going against him" and there
were one of two things adduced by
the witnesses ofthe government which
he could not explain away. Col. An
dcr5on is n young man of thirty -four
or five years fago, of gcntemanly ex-
terror, and possessed of much natural
ability. He was originally Colonel
in the third Kentucky or Missouri
Cavalry, The witness, Maurice Lang
horne, who knew him when in tho
rebel service, testified that he was one
of the most efficient and popular off,
GERS in the service. He was arrested
in Louisville, and the evidence against
him before the Court Martial has been
of a very serious nature. At present
no seems to look upon his approaching
death without tho slightest fear. Ho
expresses no wish to see any of his
friends, nor does he want any medical
attendance, ouly asking to be allowed
to die in peace. .. aai
With the death of Colonel Anderson,
there will be only thrco prisoners on
trial before tho Military Commission
now in session. OF the original eight,
Cantrill was granted severance,
Daniels has escaped, Marmaduko and
Semmes are already disposed of, leav-
ing Judge Buckner S. Morris, Charles
Walsh, Col. G.. st. Leger Grenfell to