Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1878-07-12

1erkl0S. AS muUIcT OI COURSE, DOJn-
ing was spoken of but the death of
Captain Summerville. During the con-
versation messenger arrived from Lieu
tenant Scoresby, bringing the following
letter to General Perkins:
DEAR SIR: Allow lie to ask the question
whether or not the second lieutenant Of our
company, Andrew Jersey, showed his pistol
10 you this afternoon? lie had large horse
pistol and one of the men of our escort pri-
vste SAKE, told me just now that Hersey's pis-
toll was not in bis belt this afternoon, and that
during the examination he manifested the ut
most agitation. shall be in camp at day
break Tomorrow with further information up
on this subject, which ] dare not trust to paper
yet. Very Respectfully,
EARNEST ScoREsBy, First Lieutenant.
The general showed this note to Colo
mel Pinkney.
The latter after reading it whispered
to the general:
Lieutenant Hersey is present."
The general stood up and said in
loud voice:
"Will Second Lieutenant Hersey step
forward?
A tall, handsome young officer re-
sponded. He looked pale, and there was
in his eyes visible expression of I'M
easincss
Lieutenant Hersey," said the gener-
al, "have you no pistol ?"
II had until this afternoon, general"
he replied in tremulous voice, "but
when the target firing commenced, L took
off my uniform, coat, and belt, in which
| had the pistol, and after Captain Sum-
merville had been shot missed the pis-
toll"
There was hum of excitement among
the assembled officers.
Lieutenant" said the general grave
ly, did you leave the block house from
which your men were firing at the tar
get before Captain Summerville was
shot ?"
81 did, general" replied Lieutenant
Hersey. "Lieutenant Scoresby asked
me to 60 with him and see whether Lar
ry Bootby, the color marker, was not
making wrong signals. He said that he
would 90 along the right side of the
shooting ditch and asked me to 90 along
the left side. Before We met the fatal
shot was fired. That is all I have to
say, general"
"And you declare upon your word as
an officer and gentleman, lieutenant,
that you did not have your pistol with
you, and that it was afterwards miss
ing'?"
81 do, general, az sure as there is a
living God |" replied the young licuten-
ant soemnly.
II am sorry to have to order you un-
der arrest, lieutenant" said the general,
gravcly.
The lieutenant bowed and a captain
took his sword from him. Next day
Scoresby reported to General Perkins.
General" he said to him, II am
sorry to inform you that Lieutenant
Hersey had yesterday morning quarrel
with Captain Summervillc in my pres
ence. During this quarrel he repeated
ly threatened he would shoot the CAP
tain
Upon this evidence Lieutenant Her
sey was sent to the Winchester Jail on a
charge Of murder. lie was young
clerk, without relatives or special friends
in Winchester, and owed his appoint
ment as lieutenant solely to his familiar
ity with the manual of arms and tactics.
The grand jury met, and indicted him
for murder in the first degree.
Two days before the prisoners trial
came Of, Larry Bootby, the colored mark
er, called upon young Jersey.
Lieutenant" he said, you have al
ways been very kind to me. Now, I
have found something that will stsrtlc
you. Look at this"
He produced n largo horse-pistol.
"Great God" cried Jersey, lit is
my pistol; Larry, where did you find
itT
II found il in the bolc under the tree
from behind which Captain Summcrvillo
was shot"
ITO the right Of tho ditch, Larry 2"
ayes"
Hersey sent Immediately for his coun-
sci and told him what the negro had com
municatcd 10 him.
"I1e Of good cheer" said the lawyer,
"for this confirms other things which !
have found out to-day"
lin my favorT'
Eyes. Mr.. Jersey, you are as good
as acquitted"
On the day Of the trial the Court
room at Winchester was crowded 10 IL
utmost capacity. Alter several unim-
porlant witnesses had been heard. Ernest |
Scorcsby was called 10 the stand.
In reply TO tho questions Of the pros
eculing attorney b. made statements !
similar " that Ia BIZ letter 70 General !