New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-08-11
HOMICIDE AT THE BARRACKS
SOLDIER SHOT THROUGH THE HEART
ANOTHER SOLDIER FATALLY WOUNDED
Causes of the Homicide

| There was some little excitement raised
| in town yesterday by the announcement that
% shooting affray had taken place at the
| United States Barracks, between soldiers
of the Nineteenth Infantry. and that one or
more men had been killed The following
is the correct story. obtained on the spot
from the officers and men who were cog
infant Of the whole facts.
| At half-past seven o'clock Tuesday even
| ing. private Joseph Bowen. of Company T..
walked to the door OF his company quarters,
| and with the simple remark. Il am goino
| 10 Kill YOU fired Il shot from a breech-
LOADING minnie rifle through the heart of
private David Kelly, of the same company.
| The ball passed through Kelly's body. and
through the abdomen Of private Michael
Ford. who was Immediately in his rear.
| leaning against the railing of the gallery.
| After firing the fatal shot. Bowen threw
down the empty musket, and attempted to
effect his escape. He got out of the quar-
| ters and while attempting to reach the
| green surrounding the hospital, and Jump
the picket fence separating it from the
street. he tipped up over drain, and be-
| fore he could recover himself. was seized
and captured by the non-commissioned Off
| GERS of the company.
The surgeon of the post. Brevet Lieutenant
Colonel Clements, was Immediately sum
| moned, and although he could. of course. do
nothing for Kelly, who was already dead
he made every effort in his power to relieve
Ford. The wounded man was removed TO
| the hospital, where he now lies in a condi-
| ton that can only be changed by death
The ball passed through his body and the
lntestines are plainly visible at the oIifice
What makes the chances much worse for
Ford. Is the fact that he is just recovering
from an attack of fever and was on the sick
list at the time of the shooting.
The cause of the trouble between Kelly
and Bowen is almost too lengthy to recite,
but ii has been well known in the company
that Kelly had bore an animosity against
Bowen for many months. He had repeatedly
threatened TO kill him. and Bowen was al
most always found avoiding him, for
fear he would carry out his threat.
Three days ago the paymaster Wis
ited this post. and the men We're
paid of, and Bowen and Kelly. obtain
ing leave of absence, met on the streets.
They drank together at Kclly's invitation.
and the latter demanded that Bowen should
settle for the drinks. On his refusal he
struck him in the face. This was their last
meeting until the shooting. Bowen claims
that he shot Kelly as he did. for he knew
that IL had simply become question of who
should shoot first. He expresses the utmost
regret for the wounding of Ford.
From the officers Of the command we
learn t1at the dead man mad q most ul!en-
viable character i'll the regiment. He was
almost always in the lookup. and never got
out OF il but to rush into fresh trouble.
When he had a leave Of absence he inva-
riably had trouble with the citizens or police.
He was regarded as q uuarrelsOme and dam
gerous man. and had been warned IT,, his
officers that some one would kill him vet.
On the other hand. Bowen, who did the
shooting. bears the reputation OF an ire
proachable soldier. and SO thoroughly did
he attend TO his duties that he was invaIia-
bly, at guardmount selected as the headquar-
ters' orderly. Ford also stood well in the
regiment. and the officers and men regret
his accidental shooting.
Kelly was born in Butler county, Ohio
was farmer by occupation. Ford is ma
tive of Galway, Ireland. Bowen is native
of Galliopolis. Ohio. and although only
twenty-three years old. is a veteran soldier
Immediately after the murder. charges.
in regular military FORM We're prepared by
order OF General Smith against Bowen and
forwarded 10 General Reynolds. command
ing the department, requesting a general
court-martial be appointed for the trial of
the prisoner.
General Smith had no intention of hand
ing the accused over TO the civil power, as
the shooting occurred in a camp of United
States soldiers. He would not have OBJ
the remaias OF Kelly, if any had desired to
hold one. As no coroner appeared, the body
was inferred with military honors in the
National cemetry at P. NJ. yesterday.
Our reporter has to thank Brevet Major
General Smith, commanding the post, and
Brevet Major Pierce. Captain Of Company
E, for cOurtesies.