Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-12-17
I'd at this period consisted alone in tn
i.r1-iraec of 1haSe i'm halls.


| carrying of these immense balls:
| Men could be seen daily straining every
muscle and nerve in their forms eGecui-
ing this fearful task, the number re-
! up to the number of 100 for the slightest
dereliction Of duty. This continued up
| to the latter part of July, 1861, when a
terrible punishment was inflicted upon q
drunken prisoner, resulting in his death
in the brief space Of half an hour. He
was the first and the last victim under
the infamous Special Order No; Is 60
John Winters. a, prisoner confined for
desertion, was shot down on July 81, 1867.
within the inside limits of the fort. whilst
in state of intoxication bordering on
pany l., Fifth Artillery. stationed 1T
Post 5, at the bastion leading to the case
mates. where the prisoners were confined.
This soldier was at one time confined IN
the EuardhouSe. charged with sleeping on
his post, also with theft.
Whilst confined under these charges the
same man whom he shot lWinters)
ff o@d coo IMn purse
him With it. Winters was harmless
man, one possessing very kind heart,
and generous to fault, but like some
men under the influence of liquor, was
bosterous and unruly. but not quarrel
some. He had managed on this occasion
TO obtain liquor through his intimacy
with the soldiers of the garrison.
In going to his quarters, at retreat he
gave two OF three drinks from the bot
tie in his possession to the soldier stand
ing on his post. and thence going TO his
on guard again he called to Winters, ask
ing him to give him another pull, as 1t
was termed among them. Winters told
him that he had no more-that 1t was ali
gone.
The soldier hooted al the idea, remark
ing: "All right, I'll remember YOU for
it, About II O'Clock Winters became
noisy in his quarters. and the sergeant
f,S RI ND a nf m
him and marched him to the guardhouse
Winters used abusive language to the
sergeant. which aroused his passion TO a
great extent. but at this time took but
little notice of the occurrence: About l.
minutes after being confined Winters re-
quested to be allowed to go TO the pas
tion which was granted, the sergeant
ordering the soldier not to permit him TO
% = A FATAL SHOOTING.
Winters ellded the vigilance Of the sen
a sergeant, in charge of the guard. with
a file of men, rearrested him. In passing
the soldier the sergeant gave him IN
structions that if Winters attempted 70
run by his guard to shoot him. Winters
was entrusted to file OF men. some go
ing before and some after him. He was
placed ahead of the guard. and, III de-
impending doom, in his. drunken con-
tliticn he ran out of the doorway into
the limits of the fort. when the soldier,
who had left his post by many yaIQS,
raised his gun as Winters passed MN
and shot him down. from the effects
Of which he died in the course of thirty
minutes.
The soldier never challenged, neither
did he cry Halt. but deliberately car
ried out the orders received from the
sergeant. The whole garrison was aroused
by the report of the gun, coupled with
the agonizing cries from the wounded
man. who. i'll his dying moments, re-
ouested them to kill him to relleVe MN
of his sufferings. consultation was
then held by the sergeant and the soldier,
he having been relieved from his post 10
arrange the tale that was to be told rela-
tive to the shooting. could not near
rluch of that which passed, but l DIS
tinctly heard man who IN very
short time therea fter was made corPoral
state that each must tell the same taie.
While the sergeant had gone for the Of
ticer OF the day Winters piteous means.
mixed with shrieks and heartrenqlnS
cries. resounaed throughout the fort. Life
was fast ebbing out and by the tune
the officer of the day arrived notnlns
could be heard but his snothereG sroans.
A stretcher was procured and the dyins
man conveyed to the hospital and IN q
brief space Of so minutes his spirit 1ad
passed from earth to eternity. .
When the news Of the affair reacnea
headquarters the loud. ringing voice OF g
was heard crying out: - n ma,
the way we do things in California.
ITO be Continued To-MOrrOW.)