Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-05-13
VOLUME XXXIII.
SUICIDE OF 4 NOTED REBEL SPY.
Strange Mode of DeRth-His History
Since the Outbreaks Of tIae Rebellion.

Our readers can doubtless easily recall
10 mind the name Of Sterling King, a noted
rebel scout and spy, from the facts connect
ed with his trial and conviction before a
Court Martial in this city in the summer of
1863 on the charge of being a spy, which
are still fresh in their memories. This man,
after passing through all the vicissitudes of
a daring life, yesterday ended his existence
by actual starvation.
In order to get at the cause Of the rash
act with greater clearness it may not be inn
proper to briefly follow King through the
leading events of his life, and particularly
since the spring Of 1860.
He was born in England in 1882, and,
therefore, at the time of his death was "a
years Of age. When quite small child his
parents removed to America, and settled in
a small town in Virginia, about thirty miles
from Richmond. lie received good edu-
cation, and being naturally shrewd, he was,
in 1857, admitted TO practice in all the
courts Of Virginia. He continued the prac-
tice of law until the spring of 1861, when
the rebellion breaking out, he applied for
and obtained commission as captain in the
Confederate service. He was soon, however,
detached from his command, and received
(Stonewall) Jackson. In the first battle in
which Jackson's corps was engaged King
was badly wounded, and laid in a hospital
at Richmond for several months. When he
recovered he was placed on detached duty,
and up TO the time of General JacksOn's
death he acted as his favorite spy.
After Jackson's death, King was sent to
Europe on a special mission by Jefferson
na,,ig l,o rap,o;,oJ tbaro Cor ,avaroI
months. When he returned he made several
trips to Canada as agent Of the Confederate
Government On returning from Canada
he was sent to Join the command of John
Morgan, then at Knoxville, preparing for his
raid into Ohio. Just before Morgan reached
Brandensburg, where he crossed the Ohio
river, Kingwas sent to examine the fortified
tions back of Covington and Newport. He
was detected, and after being chased into the
interior Of Kentucky, was captured and
lodged in the military prison in Covington.
From there he was transferred TO Mclean
barracks, on Third street, in this city, and
a court martial, Of which Col. III. l.. Burnet
was Judge Advocate, was organized to try
him.
The court met, and after lengthy exam
nation, found him guilty, and sentenced
him TO he shot. While confined in Mclean
Barracks, awaiting the signing Of his death
warrant by President Lincoln, he managed
TO make his escape. Strenuous efforts were
made to rccapture him, but they were of no
avail.
Nothing was heard OF him, after his es-
cape from this city, until few days before
the assassination of Mr.. Lincoln, when he
was arrested in Louisville, on some trivial
onense, and ledged in Jail. After a 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 in the South, he
stole two horses, one belonging to a Mr..
Heurman, and another to Mr.. Bigler. He
then fled the city, and was not heard of un-
I'll three or four months since, when he was
again arrested in Louisville and lodged in
Jail.
Ii was at this time that he made the as
sertion that he was the assassin of President
Lincoln that Booth was yet alive, &c. No
attention, however, was paid to this state
ment and he was allowed to linger in Jail.
About three weeks since, however, MesSrs.
Heurman and Bigler received information
which led them to suspect that King was
the man who stole their horses. 4 requisi-
ton was obtained for him, and on Monday
last Detective Hazen was sent to Louisville
to bring him to this city for trial.
When Mr.s Hazen arrived at the Louis
vile Jail, he found King in a terribly ema-
ciated condition, and on questioning him he
stated that he had only eaten fire meals ia the
past forty days. On being questioned as to
his reasons for this, he stated that he knew
he would be sooner or later brought to this
city for trial, and that he preferred death
rather than imprisonment
He was on Wesnesday afternoon taken out
Of Jail, and transferred to the mail boat
United States, in charge Of Mr.. Hazen, and
brought to this city. On arriving mere yes
terday morning he was too weak to be re-
moved from his berth, and led in less than
an hour after the boat landed.
Coroner Carey was summoned to hold an
inquest, the jury returning 4 verdict OF
death from suicidal starvation"
King was a mau of very fine appearance,
about five feet ten inches in height, and,
before his imprisonment, weighed about $50
pounds. His remains will, we understand.
be sent TO Louisville, where he had friends.