The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-05-15
1rrom the Cincinnati Ganetts tRadicslt
s.,,.sae of n Noted Rebel Spy from VIZ
rinaa-Hi. History since the Ouf.
hv.oapx ar the Rebellion.

break Of the Rebellion.
orr readers can doubtless easily recall
n mind the name of Sterling King, n noted
rebel scout and spy, from the facts con-
nected with his trial and conviction before
n court-martial in this city, in the summer
of 1868, on the charge of being spy,
which are doubtless still fresh in their
memories. This man, after passing through
all the vcissitudes of daring life, yester-
day ended his existence by actual starva-
ton.
In order to get at the cause OF the rash
act with greater clcarness, ii may not be
improper to briefly follow King through
the leading events of his life, and particu-
larry since the spring of 1860.
He was born in England in 1882, ana
therefore at the time of his death was
tbirty.four wears of age. When quite a
small child his parents removed to Anne
RIGA, and settled in small town IN VIZ
GINA, about thirty miles from Richmond.
He received good education, ana, Delhg
naturally shrewd, he was in 1857 admitted
to practice in all the courtSR Virginia.
He continued the practice of law until the
spring of 1861, when, the rebellion Dreak-
ing out, he applied for and obtained COM
mission as captain in the Confederate ser,
vice. He was soon, however, detached
from his command, and received an APP
pointment as aid on the staff of General
lStonewalD Jackson. In the first battle IN
which Jackson's corps was engaged, hlng
was badly wounded, and laid in q hospital
at Richmond for several months. when
he recovered he was placed on detached
duty, and up to the time of General Jack
sons death he acted as his favorite spy.
After Jackson's death, King was sent to
Europe on special mission by jeff. Davis,
and he remained there for several months.
When he returned he made several trips
TO Canada as agent of the Confederate 10
vernment. On returning from Canada he
was sent to Join the command of John Nor
gan. then at Knoxville preparing for his
raid into Ohio. Just before Morgan reach
ed BrandcnSburg, where he crossed the
Ohio river, King was sent to examine the
Notifications back of Covington and New
port. He was detected, and after being
chased into the interior of Kentucky, was
CAPTURED, and lodged in the military prison
in COyinrtCn. From there he was trans
ferred to Mclean barracks, on Third street,
in this city, and court-martial, of when
was organized to try him.
The court met, and after lengthy eX.
animation found him guilty, and sentenced
him to be shot. While confined in Mclean
barracks awaiting the signing of his death,
warrant by President Lincoln, he managed
70 make his escape. Strenuous efforts were
made to recapturc him, but they were u
no avail.
,f i'm
cane from this city until a few days before
the assassination of Mr.. Lincoln, When ne
was arrested in Louisville on some triViai
offence, and lodged in Jail. After short
confinement, however, he was discharged,
and we believe came to this city. upon
arriving here, he was entirely out of funds,
and having no opportunity OF obtaining
ANYTHING from his friends III the South, he
stole two horses, one belonging TO Mr..
Hucrman, and another to Mr.. Biglcr. lie
then fled the city, and was not heard OF
until three or four months since, when he
was again arrested in Louisville, and lodged
in jail.
1t was at this time he made the aSser-
ton that he was the assassin OF President
Lincoln, that Booth was yet alive, etc.
No attention, however, was paid to this
statement, and he was allowed to lngcr III
iail. About three weeks since, however,
Messrs. Heurman and Bigler received in
formation which led them to suspect that
King was the man who stole their horses.
4 reauisition was obtained for him, and on
Monday last Detective llaZen was sent to
Louisville tcsbring him to this city for trial.
When Mr.. IIazen arrived at the Louisville
Jail he found King in a terribly cmaciated
condition, and on questioning him he stated
that he had only eaten fire meats IN the past
forty days. On being questioned as to his
reasons for this, he stated that he knew he
would sooner or later be brought to this
city for trial, and that he preferred death
rather than Imprisonment.
He was on Wednesday afternoon taken
out of Jail and transferred to the mailboat
United States, in charge of Mr.. Hazen,
and brought to this city. On arriving here
yesterday morning he was too weak to be
removed from his berth, and died in less
than an hour after the boat landed.
Coroner Cary was summoned to hold an
inquest, the jury returning verdict OF
death from suicidal starvation"
King was man of very fine appearance,
about five feet ten inches in height, and
before his imprisonment weighed about one
hundred and eighty pounds. His remains
will, we understand, be sent to Louisville,
where he had friends.