New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-05-24

Omcial Report Of tho C0ashaet2 Affair,
Lieutenant General P. II. Sheridan has
received An official report of the shooting
affair at Coushatts, Louisiana. 1t will be
observed that it contains new and interest
ing particulars not embraced in the Asso-
oiated Press account received Ut the time:
HEADQUARTERS Posr OF CousHArrA,
Louisiana, Nay g. 1876.
Assistant Adjutant General, Department Of the
SIR have to report in further explana-
ton Of nv kilograms on the subject that
Twitchell Estate Senator) and party were
shot while in the act of landing from . row
boat at Coushatta The boat contained
Twitchell, wounded badly in both arms and
the leg, man named King, formerly tax
collector, and q c0lored ferryman, enot IN
the finger. The animus was. think, d.
reoted against Twitchell alone. and the
GRAFTON that showed calculation. Tho
assassin rode into the town about two
hours before the commission Of the deed, en-
tered blacksmithy on the bank of the river
and engaged the smith in conversation
while he watched the stream and bank ON
the far side. He wore . pair of colored
goggles, and apparently false beard, and
was slightly stained on tho face. he was
seen here in addition by some colored men,
we'll known in the vicinity and town, ana mo
was unrecOgnized. Upon the arrival OF the
mail the majority of the men of the town,
as far as I can gather, went to the post
office. and the assassin took his horse and
strolled leisurely down to the landing used
bv the ferry, hitched his horse about lou
wards off and awaited the boat, which
was then approaching, ana opened
fire with the result above noted: Inree
or more persons, attracted 0y tne
more than usual firing, approached tne
man and were warned of in . most
determined manner and threatened with
his rifle. He allowed Q Mrs. Dr.. Merrill
and tho wife of Lee 1.-THE proprietor OF the
ferry) to approach him, and the former
kneit and begged for him not to commit
the murder, and he replied to their entrea
| ties that he was shooting . black alligator
reiterating q similar remark with each shot
King was killed, and dropped in the ooes
Twitchell was next shot in the ieg' sne
| Jumped overheard. The assassin sheI
walked over to his horse, mounted, reload
ing his rifle, and with heavy revolver II
hand also, and hearing Mrs. Merrill scream
| to the ferryman to save TWitchelI, rode
back to the spot, ordered the negro to drol
| Twitchell, and not being obeyed fired foul
| or five shots at the two while they Wer:
drifting down the stream, and wounoee
the ferrymaD, who meanwhile got his man
| in and pulled to the opposite shore for fur
Their safety. The assassin then rode slowly
through one of the back streets and wa
next seen on the Ringgold road, about two
miles out, still disguised and quietly trot
ting along. As soon as possible saw the
sheriff and offered any assistance he nigh
REQUIRE in aid of the capture OF the muir
derer. He sent posse, but did not accom-
pany it himself, and l doubt if the man !
or will be taken. Twitchell, meanwhile
has been removed to camp adjoining m!
camp, and one of his arms has been smPu
tated by Carson, my assistant surgeon, va
reports the other badly shattered. he V
a critical condition. but has great deal Q
nerve still, and may recover.
Twitchell was crossing the river en- rout
to y meeting of the police board, OF whic
he is president. His errand was known an
remarked by the assassin to the smith:
1 have the honor to be. very respectfully
YOUR Obedient servant.
CAPTAIN Third Infantry, Commanding.