Des Arc weekly citizen., 1867-09-21
[ From the Memphis Ledger. l
s Shameful Outrage.

One of the most atrocious murders since the close of. the war occurred in Mobilea few days since, and we find the details in the Bulletin. A worthy citizen of that city, and q gentleman ol the first standing there. Col. Frederic B. Shepard, having been personally abused behind his back by one Morris 1 Schafl, man who disgraces the uni form of the United States, and is in command of the Mount Vernon Ar senal at Mobile. Col Shepard ad- ] dressed note to this Schaff, asking him in polite terms to state the sub stance of what he had said, and also adding that he felt .'as much as any one the military despotism under which the country was suffering; but certain ly that should afford no prescriptive right or protection to any gentleman wearing the uniform of the army oi the United States" To this Schaf re- piled by saying: You offer me con 1 tcmptuous insult in pronouncipg the infamous lie that this is military des- potism. When you write me a gentle manly note in reference to remarks re- ferred to, then I will give it an answer" Colonel Shepard respond ed by demanding satisfaction which is customary among gentleman For the rest We quote the forciblc Ian guage and just comments of our CO temporary:
 "What does the reader suppose the gallant Schaif did, after writing tlis bold indorsement on Col. Shepard letter, in which he gave the infamous lie" to q bred and born gentleman He refused to give the satisfaction de- mandedl An officer ofthc army, with q uniform on his bsck and sword by his side. which sword it was his busi- ness to use, not only in defense of his country, but in defense of his honor, after having insulted gentleman, played the coward and refused to fight. Shepard resorted 10 the well known alternative posting" Schaf, where upon Schaf sent lieutenant and T file of soldiers, arrested Shepard. and had him brought before him, within the walls of tho arsenal, where he drew a pistol and shot him .-shot an unarmed man. in the presence of lieutenant and soldiers of the United States army Col. Shepard was still on horseback when he wagsshot having ridden into tha arsenal yard with his captors and not having dismoantod. The inlme- diste cause of the shooting was some words used by Shepard to Schafi-ius, such words as brave man would use to coward under such circumstances. The shot took effect in the neck, show
 ing the malignant design of Sehafl, and Col. Shepard died of the wound about week ago. To save appearances, Schaff, before the death of Col. Shep- ard, was tried before his comrades, not on charge of assault with intent 10 kill, but on the charge of conduct ''un- becoming an officer" with what result is not yet known. Shepard having since died, the assassination is com plcte, and we call upon Gen. Pope to hand Sehaff over to the civil authori- ties of Alabama, to be tried for the murder. Dare he, Brigadier General in the regular army of the United States, use his official position, to cover up so gross an outrage upon q people over whom he has been sent to rule ? Is it not his duty, as high officer of q gallant army, to strip the uniform of the back of poltroon and an assassin ? We put the qucssion, not only to Gen. eral Pope, but to the whole army of the United States. We understand that this fellow Schaff with cant and snivel, has pretended to have conseien- tious scruples about fighting duel. This is the cloak under which many 0 cowardly vagabond takes shelter. Where was Conscience when the assassin shot down an unarmed man?