The Sun. — 1845-12-12 (London, England)

GENERAL COURT-MARTIAL AT  CHATHAM.  Dzc. 11.---On the 10th inst. a general court-martial was held in the general court-martial room, Chatham Barracks, which continued to this day, for the trial of Private John Stoker, No. 1,926, of the 65th Regiment, stationed at Brompton barracks. The prisoner, it appears, was placed under arrest on the 18th September last, at Sheerness, whilst then with a detachment doing duty at that garrison, and was brought to Chatham on the day following, when he confessed himself to have been a participator in the crime of murdering a woman at a place called Stone, in Staffordshire, about nine miles from Newcastle, in the year 1841, and his accomplice, named Forbes, was executed for the murder; the prisoner observing that he held the head of the murdered woman whilst the other cut her throat, and that they afterwards robbed her, and then he enlisted as a soldier. The prisoner's confession of so foul an act was forwarded to the Horse Guards, and has also been submitted to the Secretary of State, and every communication has been made between the authorities of that town and the Home-office, and it is believed to have been proved that the murder of a woman did take place at the place and time stated by the prisoner, and that a man of the name of Forbes was hung, and the correspondence which has passed between the several authorities has been submitted to the twelve judges, which accounts for the prisoner being so long confined prior to a court-martial being held on him. The Conrt comprised two majors, eight captains, and four lieutenants. Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas E. Kelly, of the Provisional Battalion, president, and LieutenantColonel G. Fifer, deputy judge-advocate. The charges against the prisoner were-1. That, on the 18th of September, 1845, the prisoner, being a sentinel on duty at the Dockyard at Sheerness, was found there and then sleeping on his post. 2. With having, at Chatham Barracks, on the 22d of September, 1845, offered violence to Sergeant Conlin, 28th Regiment, being then and there in the execution of his duty ; and 3, for using threatening language that he would take his life, or words to that effect.  To which charges the prisoner pleaded Not Guilty. Lieutenant Scott, 92d Highlanders, formerly 65th, said he was stationed at Sheerness, with a detachment, in the month of September last, and on the 18th of that month he was on guard with the prisoner at Sheerness dock-yard; and on going the rounds to the different posts with Corporal Willis, between one and two in the morning, they found the prisoner asleep at his post, and lying on the ground; his musket was about one yard from him. The prisoner was removed to the barracks. The officer's evidence was corroborated by Corporal Willis, who posted the prisoner on No. 9 post during the day, Where he was found.  Sergeant Michael Conlin, of the 28th Regiment of Foot, said be was the provost-sergeant, and had the custody of the prisoner ; that on the morning of the 22d of September last, by order of the brigade-major, he removed the prisoner from the lock-up to a cell belonging to the main-guard, fur which purpose he procured au escort. The prisoner, on entering the passage leading to the cell, struck at him, and declared he would have his life by drawing his blood the first opportunity he bad.  The sergeant's evidence was corroborated by the two escorts who accompanied him, and proved the conduct of the prisoner towards the sergeant, to whom he said he would take his life, and make his blood run cold from him, as he, the prisoner, knew what was going to be done with him.  The prisoner denied that he was asleep on his post, and did not use the language until the sergeant had torn his jacket from his back, and hoped the Court would consider the time he had been in prison. The adjutant of the 65th was called to character, which was bad. The prisoner had already been tried four times by court.martial. He has been three years in the regiment, and is twenty years of age. He is a native of Staffordshire.  The Court's decision will not be known until confirmed by the Horse Guards.  MANCHESTER and