The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-11-05
SHOT DEAD BY A CoMRADE.
DEADLY SPRINGFIELD KILLS ONE
SOLDIER AND WOUNDS ANOTHER.

Private Sherman Cunningham, of
Company VI, Ninth Illinois, Acct
IDENTIFY Killed by Private Robin
VI. Benham, of Company l. - Rem
ham Forgot His Piece Was Loaded
and Snapped 1.-THE Bullet Passed
Through Three Tents and Struck
One Mnn In the Arm, Passing
ham Instantly - Remains shipped
to His Home In ga-
ton VIII be Had.
Private Sherman Cunningham, Com
pany NJ. Ninth Illinois Regiment, was
shot and killed yesterday by Private Robin
NJ. Benham of Company L. of the same
regiment. The shooting was accidental.
The young man who was killed was only
is years old. His home was at Flora, Ill
Private Benham is from Enfield, ILL., The
body of the young soldier was shipped last
night by the Central to his home. Until
the departure of the train IL lay in under
takers room, covered with Old Glory.
Another member of Company VI was
wounded by the bullet that killed Cum
ningham He was standing just in front
of the young man. and the leaden missile
tore through his arm and grazed his side
before il buried itself in Cunninghams
heart The latter was killed instantly.
Private Benham sat in his tent in Com
pany Is street, in the First Divisions
camp, cleaning his gun. His company will
ca on tba rifle RANGE TO-DAY ar1 he mont
ed to have his piece in good order. He
was paying particular attention to the
lock, and had gotten it so that the trigger
would pull easily. He slipped a shell into
the breech, and closed the chamber. Con-
tinuing his work on his gun, he forgot that
he had showed a cartridge into the bore
Thinking he would snap the hammer
down TO see how strong the pull of the
trigger was he did so as the piece lay
across his lap, and was startled by the
explosion that followed.
The muzzle of the piece was pointed to-
wards the rear of his tent. The bullet
struck the tentpole squarely and went
through the hard hickory. II was fiatten-
ed by the contact and cut ragged holes in
the back of the tent. and in others through
which ii passed before striking the two
men.
Company NJ was lined up in its street
for the paymaster. Capt. Bonner was
standing near the line, and the bullet
missed him but a few inches 1t struck
the first man in the arm, tearing a Jag
ged path through the muscle. then sped
on to it's deadlier work. 1t also made a
slight wound on his side and the soldier
stood some painful dressing that followed
with great fortitude. Pieces of the Jagged
flesh had to be cut away with scissors
Coroner Goette was notified of the ac-
cident and rove out to the camp. He found
nothing to indicate that the shooting was
not an accident and held no inquest l'ri4
vate Benham was greatly affected by the
accident, and showed deep regret for its
occurrence.
An order was issued from headquarters
during the afternoon providing for the de-
frayal by the quartermasters department
of the expense of the transportation of the
body to the home of the deceased. This
had been requested by relatives. 1t was
also ordered that the travelling expenses
of an attendant to accompany the remains
be paid.
An investigation will be held to see If
there is any blame for negligence to be
attached on account of the accident Gen.
Douglas, commander of the brigade, will
appoint officers to investigate the affair.
Pending their finding, Private Benham will
be kept under arrest.