New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-10-10
KILLED WHILE FLEEING.
DEATH FOLLOWED AN ATTEMPT TO
ESCAPE FROM FORT SLOCUM.

! GREENWOOD. THE PRIVATE SHOT BY sENTR1Es
WAS a DESPERATE CHARACTER AND HAD
MADE LOT OF TRoUBLE-THE GUARDS
EXONERATED BY \ CoRoNER's JURY.
Private Oliver Greenwood. twenty-one years
old. recruit Of Battery T. 1th United States Ar
tillery, was shot and instantly killed while at
tempting to desert from his regiment, at Fort
Slocum, between II and - o'clock on Saturday
night Greenwood had been in several disturb
ances recently, and regarded as one OF the
most desperate men at the fort, especially when
drinking. His comrades say that he often
boasted that all Of his ancestors had died In
tragic manner and that he expected to meet a
similar fate. Other soldiers who knew him ex-
press the opinion that his name not Green
wood but Greenwald, and that he was the son
Of the Greenwad who murdered Lyman Weeks
IN Brooklyn.
Two weeks ago Greenwood and Private Har-
vey Stokes, also OF Battery B. were captured
while attempting to escape and placed in the
guardhouse. A few evenings later, when Ser
geant Eastler, Of the guard. was making his
rounds, Greenwood sprang upon him with
razor and attempted to cut his throat. At the
same time Stokes, who was unarned, ap-
preached him from the rear. The sergeant had
barely time to seize his rife, and before he could
get his hand on the trigger both men were upon
bin graphing for his throat He threw them off
and then broke his g-Jorgensen rife over
Greenwoods shoulder as he again came rushing
toward him with the razor In his hand.
Since then both men have been under close
surveillance. but in the last few days the guard
house has been overcrowded. and they were
transferred, with other prisoners. to a tent.
Late on Saturday night the sentry at the
freight piers saw two figures crouchins along
the waters edge, and challenged them. The men
failed 10 give the countersign, but ran for the
shadow OF some buildings. Sergeant Hecht. on
Ger OF the guard. heard the challenge. and over
took the men before they could get away. AL
though they were in civilian clothing. he recog-
nized them at once as runaway prisoners and
ordered them TO the guardhousc at once. they
turned about to do as they were ordered, but
proceeded 40 slowly ard consumed so much time
IN argument that the officer placed the bayonet
on his gun and began proddng them about the
legs.
Greenwood suddenly turned. and. trampling
down the gun. seized the bayonet In his OVID
hands and attempted TO stab the sergeant. Just
then the relief guard, composed OF Privates w.
S. Reynolds Edward Fitzpatrick and T. w. Pin
kerton, ell Of the I'D New-YOrk Volunteers,
tome running up. and the prisoners. seeing them
approach. separated and ran toward the pier,
where II was afterward found that they had Sc
cretcd boat TO aid in their escape.
COlCneI sinclair, the commanding officer or the
fort. was passing at the time. and the deserters
barely missed knocking him down in their fight.
The Colonel cried to the sergeant to do his duty
ard compel the men TO go to the guardhouse.
The sergeant then ordered the prisoners to halt
but they continued their flight. and the sentries
Of The 22d Regiment fired upon them with their
Springfield rifles
Stokes had taken shelter behind some large
piling near the cOmmissary department but his
companion fully exposed. and fell wound n
througn the head. One Of the bullets had struck
the back Of his head, gone directly through and
came out Of his mouth.
coroner Banning. OF Mount Vernon and a fury
or citizens held an inquest yesterday afternoon
ana decided that Greenwood died from n gunshot
wound inflicted by an unknown sentry I'm the
discharge Of his duty. II was clearly explained
10y the coroner to the jury that the orders are
after ii O'Clock a. night. TO fire on any one who
refuses to give the countersign and at an escan
Ing prisoner al all times.
Greenwoods companion was afterward found
hiding under a building and was taken To the
euardhouse heavily ironed. Greenwood enlisted
Iast April, and said his birthplace was Union
Hill. y. j. The body will be buried in the Gov
erhrnent plot at Cypress Hills this afternoon.