The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1865-02-25

CoRoNER's lNouEsr.-At four o'clock
Yesterday afternoon, the adjourned OK.
animation before Coroner Little, NJ. D.,
into the circumstances of the murder of
James Clarke, Of the Twenty fourth Vir-
gioia cavalry, took place Mt his office, on
Eleventh street On the opening of the
case, the Coroner stated that at previ-
Gus examination. held on Thursday az.
ternoon at the residence Of the deceaseds
mother, on Fifteenth street. near Poplar,
Mrs. Clarke testified that, on Wednes-
day morning, man came to her house
and inquired for James Clarke, the de-
ceased said he had stolen his gun; that
he was a s--n Of b-h; that he Clarke
had furlough for twenty days, but that
1t wouldn do him any good. Witness
testified further that man named -
came to her house that morning, and
she remarked to him that her "baby"
was killed. He remarked, Eyes," he
knew all about it; was present and saw
the difficulty. Since that time, the
Coroner said he had had arrested certain
parties, who we're then present The
first person examined was young man,
named George w. Deas, member of the
Twenty fourth Virginia cavalry, who was
arrested on Thursday afternoon by Con-
stable f. W. Robinson, of Henrico,
on the charge of committing the MUIR
der. He testified as follows:
fell in with the deceased on the eve>
ming of the occurrence, near the Old
Market; he was in company with some
five or six men, but did not know any
of them. Heard words pass between
him and one of the party; had reason
to believe he would be killed, and tried
to persuade him to 60 home. lie would
not do so, but continued on down the
street. When in Rockets, left him, but
had only gone across the street when |
heard pistol, and knew the cause of it.
On going to Mrs. Clarke's, the mother of
the deceased, next day, was told of the
occurrence, and remarked that knew
all about it. Did not tell her that knew
who did it; but distinctly told her did
not, and could not recognize him if saw
him. Heard before the occurrence that
Clarke was in company with one of Ker-
shaw's men. The difficulty occurred in
Rockets but as to the exact place, I
cannot tell. was under the influence
of liquor, and think that Clarke was,
also.
Corporal A. F. Clements, of the Tenth
Georgia, was next sworn and deposed:
! vas Oh duty at Rockets, for the puv-
pose of examining the papers of all SOL
diers, by order Of General kershaw.-
While going along the street, met Clarke
and told one of the sentinels (Mr. NeaD
to halt him. Neal did so, and asked him
for his papers. Clarke refused to show
his papers, whereupon the sentinel called
me there. When got up, asked Clarke
for his papers, informing him that had
authority to arrest all soldiers passing
that way who did not have proper pa
pers. lie asked me to show my au
thority. l told him, unless he was
commissioned officer, could not show
him my authority, as had received in
structlons not to do so; and also in~
formed him he must show his papers or
so to camp, or l would have to carry
him there. He still refused to show his
papers, and said should not take him
to camp. l took hold of him and
tried to pull him along, when he
struck at me. then jumped back and
cooked my gun, when he put his hard
in his breast~pOcket and said: damn
you, if you take hold of me again will
hurt you" Told him not to draw any
weapon, but to 60 along quietly. lie
then took his hand down, at which at
tempted to lower the hammer Of nv
gun, but it slipped from my fingers and
went of, killing Clarke Immediately. II
was not more than five or six feet from
him. After the occurrence, went back
to camp and informed the commander
what had taken place. Did not see any
weapon in Clarke's hand, nor do know
whether he had any. / did not intend
to shoot him; it was entirely accidental.
The affair occurred in the middle of the
street. at Rockets, about halfpast six
o'clock.
-. A. II. Neal, sworn: Was on guard at
Rockets, and with Corporal Clements
all tho time. entirely cofroborate what
no has testified to. Told Clements he
ought to report the matter to the Pro-
vost Marshal; but he thought it best to
report to headquarters, and Immediately
started there.
Lieutenant J. G. Bent, of Phillips's
Georgia Legion, sworn: Am temporary
Provost Marshal for kershaw's division.
About eight o'clock Wednesday night,
Corporal Clements came to camp and re.
ported to me what he had done. i'm
mediately took him to the Major for in
vestigation. Ny instructions to the
guard are never to show their authority