Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-09-12
Tn, A.hburn Murder Case.

1
instant, as follows;
Major General Meade has made re-
mort OF his action, and that Of the mill.
iary officers under him, in the matter Of
the arrest and manner OF treatment oil
the prisoners charged with completely in
the murder OF Ashburn, who was killed In
a brothel in Columbus, Ga, on the 30th
day of March. twill be recollected that
some OF the parties thus arrested have
nuhlisbed a statement Of the cruelty aud
inhuman treatment they we're subjected to
while under arrest, and that Reed. OF the
detectives employed by Gen. Meade and
Gen. Grant to work up the case, has, also
recently made an affidavit to the facts,
which show that certain persons among
the prisoners we're subjected to barbarous
treatment, under authority claimed to
have been received from the military
commander. As a vindication Of himself
against these allegations, Gen. Meade has
asked and received authority to publish
an account Of his doings.
II appears that the murder Of Ash
burn, who had been member of the
Georgia constitutional Convention,
caused great deal Of excitement, which
ultimately assumed the form OF pollti-
cal controversy. II was charged that
Gen. Meade add some Of his subordi-.
mates entered into the pursuit and trial
of the alleged murderers, in part for the
qualification of psrtisans, and to make
nolitical capital.
The report, including exhibits, is quite
volu miuous, but the great bulk Of it is
made up Of copies of orders for arrest
and returns of officers thereon. The re-
mort shows that the civil authorities at
Columbus had undertaken to ferret out
and bring to trial the persons that killed
Ashburn, aud that the military comman.
der whose headquarters were in that place
at first commended the action of the civil
officers, but afterward recommended that
the military take the case in hand. There
upon Mai. Gen. Meade ordered a military
com mission to try such parties as might
be arrested, charged with the crime. A
number of arrests were made, upon the
suggestion of various parties, but espe-
cialIy upon the direction Of two detec-
tives-Whaley and keed-who were en-
ployed by the advice of General Grant,
and at the request of General Meade.
The officer in charge of Fort Pulaski
certifies officially, that "These detec-
tives came to the fort with the prisoners
in charge, with order to have the sole |
control Of them; consequently assumed |
no authority, except to keep them Sc
curely." To discover whether two col. |
ored men. Wells and Stopsler, we're in
rossefsou of information material to the |
case, the officer says: "The detectives
thought proper to operate somewhat
upon their feelings This operation
upon the feelings consisted in lathering
their beads preparatory to shaving them,
blindfolding the prisoners, and placing
them in casemate of the fort. There
the bandage was taken OF, and before
the prisoners there stood q soldier
ready to fire off cannon which was
pointed at the accused. While these
threatening operations were going on,
the detectives endeavored to force the
prisoners to make some disclosures
about the murder, but in vain, for they
protested they knew nothing of the kill
ing.
They were then placed in sweat-boxes,
described as closet in the walls of the
fort, a little wider than the prisoners
body, the door closing within three
inches of bis breast, and the only air ad-
mitted being through few augur holes
in the door. Here they were left, in the
belief that they we're to be kept there for
thirty days, unless they should sooner
disclose important facts. They were al
lowed to remain here thirty three hours,
during which time they were nearly suf-
located, and again questioned, but with
no success.
1t is shown, also, that neither OF the
persons arrested, some twenty odd, were
permitted to consult counsel or converse
with nybody, and that they were thrown
into and incarcerated within the prisons
The prisoners, who
we're confined for long time, and after
ward discharged without trial, describe
their cells as being some four by seven
feet; others two feet ten inches wide, and
dark, with no veniilators; that they had
bad food, eto.
Upon the matter of the size of the cells,
the report includes letter Of one of'tbe
prisoners to the military officer in
charge, setting forth that the cells had
been reduced from six to two feet, and
that they could scarcely breathe in them,
etc. This letter, with others of like
character, was forwarded 10 the COM
General, who shortly after gave
that, if these prisoners would
give bonds not to attempt to escape, or
10 hold intercourse with any person but
such as are authorized by the commander
of The sub district of Georgia. the prison.
ers can be removed to the officers quar-
terra and be made as comfortable as is
consistent with their being under proper
surveillance. e A. .,..oa