The Sun. — 1864-09-02 (London, England)

JAMES GLAISHER.  Determined Suicide of a Military Officer.  PORTSMOUTH, Sept 1. A most determined act of self destruction was perpetrated this morning at Anglesea Barracks, Portaea, by Captain Thomas Burchell Holloway, of the 21st Regiment (Royal North British Fusiliers).  It appears that about a quarter to six the deceased's ser. vent, Private Conway, rapped at his matter's door, but failed to obtain an answer, and he went and reported the circumstance to Captain Alfred Holt, who obtained an entrance into the room by means of a latch key. He die. covered the deceased, who was undressed, partly in and partly out of bed, with his head touching the floor. At first Captain Holt thought deceased had died from disease of the heart, which he had suffered for some time ; but, on raising him on to the bed, he found that his throat had been cut in the most frightful and determined manner. The wound literally extended from ear to ear, the head being almost severed from the body. There was a very large pool of clotted blood by the side of the bed, and it was apparent that the deceased mast have leant his head over the side of the bed, and while in that positionhave cut his throat. Information of the tragic occurrence was given to Police-sergeant Constable, of the Borough force, who proceeded to the barracks, and discovered a white-handled razor in the pool of clotted blood, and it was apparent as the instrument with which the deed was The razor belonged to deceased, and he must ethatthititsw. have taken it from his razor-ease at the other end of the room. Dr Arthur J. Greer, the regimental surgeon, was promptly in attendance, and pronounced life to be extinct. The body Was quite cold and stiff, and death must have taken place some hours previously. So far as can at present be learned there is no assignable Motive for the commission of this rash act. On the previous evening he appeared quite well and hearty, and nothing unusual was observed in his conduct or demeanour. About a quarter past nine he bcrrowed a latch-key from Ensign Robert Willoughby to open his room-door, and after doing so he returned the key to that officer. It is supposed that he then went to bed, as nothing more 'was heard of him, and he was never again seen alive. The body awaits a coroner's inquest. The regiment has only returned from India abort six weeks, and, during the brief period they have been b a barracks here, two fatalities have occurred, as it we s only about a fortnight since that a private beloneinr tf th p re --, ( Z ;,.-14;til ' 111141)  both the Northern and the Southern States, and me my Northern opinions, and I was told that it won. as a much as my life was worth to introduce the subject of slavery; but when I got there and sat down among them they introduced it themselves, They asked me to tell them what I thought of their domestiO institutions as compared to my own. They asked me if I did not think that the slaves in their country were better off than the people in my country were—were they not better clothed and better cared for than the working people in England ? I said if the working men in England did not work they were not paid, but if they would work they were paid for their work. I do say that slavery is the curse of that country. (No, no.) But good may come out of it. Yet I say slavery was the beginning of this war—slavery is at the bottom of.it. (No, no.) I do not mean to say the North would conquer the Seuth. I hope they will come to see it right that there should be no more American-born slaves, but that slaver; will be allowed to die out, and that every American will be paid the value for his labour. (Applause.) I thank you, my lords and gentlemen, on belt tlf of Sir John Rarmden and myself, for the honour you have done us in drinking our healths. Several complimentary toasts followed, and the meeting broke up.