The New York herald., 1866-08-05

The MuROER IN WEST CHEsTER.-The wanton
murder Of Miss Hicks by United States
soldier, In the town OF West Chester, on Thurs
day morning, presents . case Of no ordinary
interest According to the testimony five
soldiers belonging to the military post at Fort
Schuyler, two Of them non-commissioned off,
GERS, got into fight with man named Elliott,
for whom some Of them appeared to have had
grudge, and after violently assaulting him,
breaking his arm with bar Of iron, and hunt
ing him from the public house whore the alter
cation commenced to his own home, burst In
the doors upon his mother and family, and
finally, driving the wounded victim of their
indignation to jump from window, some Of
the party pursued him, while the others pre-
sented their bayonets and pointed their guns at
the aged woman, and another, moro determined
on blood than the rest, shot dead young lady,
cousin OF Mr.. Elliott. Mr.. Elliott, it seems only
escaped with his life by swimming river with
his unbroken arm, and seeking shelter in a
friends house.
These facts are startling enough In them
selves, but the affair becomes more alarming
when we consider that these men were soldiers
of the regular army, forming part Of tho garri-
son al Fort Schuyler, and yet were permitted
to run riot through the country at midnight,
with the United States uniform on their backs
and United States muskets and bayonets in
their hands. What has the commanding officer
of the fort to say to this outrageous breach Of
military discipline The question FIRST sug-
gcsts itself We're these men on duty out
side the post. If so, how came they to be
drinking and gaming in public housef If
they were out on furlough, how came they to
have their arms with them. one Of which, at
least, was loaded with ball cartridgef But it
now turns out chat the actual murderer deserted
his post to join the party who had been allowed
to leave the fort by Sergeant Doran, their COM
panion in crime Who commands at Fort
Schuyler Sergeant Doran or the commandant
of the posts Whoever is in charge, there
seems to be no military rule observed there,
but disgraceful condition Of anarchy. These
points require to be cleared up, and wo hope
that the military authorities will investigate
them while the civil authorities are taking
charge of the alleged murderer and the accesso-
ries before the fact The man charged with the
murder admitted en- examination that he in
tended to shoot Elliott, and seeing as he cup
posed, q man and woman standing in the
doorway, be fred and shot Miss Hicks through
the body. This Is clear admission Of murder
according 10 law, and no doubt the confessed
criminal will be duly dealt with but there is
something Of more Importance to the commu-
nifty than The punishment OF the parties impli-
Gated in this transaction. Suppose that this
loose military discipline Is permitted and
that portion Of the garrison at Governors
Island should fancy TO come over to this city
some night and get up row for their amuse-
ment. bringing loaded muskets and bayonets
with them, or that similar thing should hap
pen at any Of our garrisons around the city,
what would be the consequence? 1t is not one
life, but probably hundreds that would DO sac
ri6ced. We call upon the proper military au-
thorities. then, TO ascertain by what rule or
breach Of rule these soldiers OF Fort Schuyler
werl permitted TO carry their arms outside the
post and use them for the qualification Of pri-
vate revenge, which seemed TO be the motive
in this case. Public safety demands the closest
investigation into the conduct Of the officer in
command of Fort Schuyler.