The New York herald., 1865-01-08
NEWS FROM KEY WEST.
The Trial Of Major Weeks ClOsed-The
Late Homicide ut Sea-ArrivaI Of Es-
capped Prisoners, &c.
OUR KEY WEST CORRESPONDENCE.

capped Prisoners, &c.
OUR KEY WEST CORRESPONDENCE.
ky WEST Fla, Dec. 27, 1854
THE TRIAL OF MAJOR WEEKS
The court martial Major Edmund G. Weeks, of the
Second Florida cavalry which has been the event Of this
place for the past two months, has been brought to
close. Major Weeks II may be remembered, was tried
charge Of murder--killng 5entryof assault with
intent 10 kill the guard that arrested him. conduct unbe
coming officer aud gentleman, and conduct pre)ud
cia TO good order and military discipline These charges
embraced eight minor specifications growing out OF the
original transaction The will be classed among the
court martial ce,cbres from the legal and other
points involved among others denial OF the authority
OF Major General Banks the War Department TO raise
the regiment The trial lasted fifty three days, and the
record is very voumnous. The summing up by W. j. A.
Fuller, of New York, occupied whole day, and was
a mastery and convincing argument, making most
thorough and exhaustive analysis Of the testimony and
sharp critical review OF the whole case The court
by of the importance Of the case, comprised the
intelligent officers Of the district The President.
Colonel John Wilder Second United States colored regi
men commander of this post pro feD, and formerly OF
Boston, is thorough lawyer and the Judge Advocate,
Captain James Doyle, of the One Hundred and Tenth
New York Volunteers who, by the way, left his right
arm Port Hudson, though not professional lawyer,
has discharged his arduous duties with ability and
fidelity.
The evidence, far from duplicating Major Weeks in
the slightest degree was complete yindication OF his
character and conduct and disclosed concerted plan to
murder him the part Of the sentry who was killed
The principal witnesses for the prosecution were rebel
away the Majors life, because he had subjected them TO
such thorough discipline and had kept them hard on
r @es"yng @ renel puoS r ara ras eom
pIeely broken down In cross examination and the lead
Ing witness was successfully mpeached by six Of the
most highly respectable citizens of this place.
The credit Of erreting out this conspiracy belongs TO
Mr. j. p Lynch, detective police officer, who came
here from Boston express purpose and who has
evinC extraordinary and SlreWdneSe working
up the to a successful issue. Tho finding OF the
has yet been divulged but from the evidence
there be doubt of triumphant acquttal on all
the charges and specifications.
The trial enabled Major Weeks show most enyiable
record naval and military officer. Letters from
Commodore Morris Captain Senmcs of tho United States
Navy, and rieutensut Commander BucbaAan spoke in
the chest terms Of his zeal and efficiency in the navy
he specially mentioned in the official reports for
his conduct in passing the rebel batteries on The potoac
Philip under Admiral Farragut, ut the taking of New
Orleans. His subsequent naval engagement with rebel
iron clad, and with the Mississippi shore batteries
when In command OF United States gunbOat
and his capture OF six hundred bales Of cotton we're
brought out the trial. also the fact that he had
captured over two hundred rebel prisoners and had
fifteen hundred refugees within the Union lines
His military Was even more brilliant than his naval
career. Letters from General Banks, General Grover
and General Brge show that he rendered distinguished
service in this department At Port Hudson he led the
regiment Of skrnishers that planted and held after
sharp and severe struggle the rst and effective line
OF rife pits that enfsded and senced many OF the rear
batteries OF that stronghold and he volunteered ana WAS
accepted by General Banks lead the fororn hope that
WAS 10 have assaulted the works when the surrender OF
the place. consequent the fall Of vcksburg rendered
the movement unnecessary.
LATE HOMICIDE On TIM BARK ANNIE y. GRAY
James Kelly, The seaman who is charged with the
murder of Johnson the second me of the bark Annie
M Gray has been committed for trial at the May term OF
the United States District Court. William Thompson,
John Hughes and Thomas Hayes who were charged with
mufiny exonerated Of the charge but are held to
testify against Kelly. The matter was investigated
before Commissioner Allen and not Captain Welsh, as
enormously stated.
The United States steamer Clyde arrived this morning
from up the Gulf coast bringing five colored United
States soldiers who escaped from the clutches OF the
rebels in Apalachcola Bay also Amos Cook, private in
the Seventy fifth Ohio.
WILLIAM WALL.
Great fears entertained for the safety OF the bark
William H. Wall which left New York on the Sth inst.
However she arrived yesterday morning, in heavy
gale from s. s. r.. On attempting 10 anchor she lost
both anchors whereupon Captain Casner, the master,
had 10 run her the middle ground. She was, how
ever owcd OF and brought alongside 81 her wharf,
The passage from New York very rough, and she
lost several Of her sails.
The French steamer Amphon four guns, Com
mandant Devsrenne from New Orleans arrived here on
the 10th inst She left the evening for Havana.
ON the same day the bark NJ. williamson, Thompson,
in nine days from Philadelphia consigned 10 the navy
agent Mr. Phbrick, arrived at this port.