Glasgow Courier. — 1861-09-19 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

AWFUL TRAGEDY AT PREST:IN-ACOLONEL AND ADJUTANT SHOT BY A PRIVATE SOLDIER.  One of the most fearful and cold-blcoded sets of vengeance ever recorded was perpetrated at the Pal. wood Barracks, near Preston, Laneaalairei On Saturday morning. A special edition of the Proton Chronicle gives the following particulars of the ocetrrencei— In the orderly-room this (Saturday), morning, a soldier of the 32d Regiment, of the name 01M'Cafferay, a young man about twenty years of age, a native of Preston, who has beers in the regiment ilbout eleven months, was brought before the officers, rod for some Is-each of military discipline and neglect or duty was sentenced to confinement within the Barracks for fourteen days. On leaving the room M`Caffway made no remark, but went direct to his own room, which was in the K passage on the west aide of the first or lo• fantry quadrangle. He took hie rifle down and asked a comrade for a piece of greased rag, which was given to him, and he cleaned the weapon with it. He then went into an adjoining passage, where it is supposed he loaded the rifle. Immediately afterwards, namely, about eleven o'clock, Colonel Crofton, the Colonel .of the depnt battalion at the barracks, and Captain Hanham, the Adjutant of the battalion, were walking together across the equate. M'Cafferay Wag seen to kneel down at the window of his room, take a deliberate aim, and immediately fire. Both the officets were struck. A number of officera were at the time walking on the flags in front of the officers' quarters at sue north side of the quadrangle, who saw that Colonel Crof. ton and Captain Han ham had been hit. They hastened to their assiaance. Captain Hanharn managed to walk to his room without assietance, but Colonel Croeon was so severely wounded that he had to be helped to his quarters. Medical assistance was at once procured, when it was found that the ball had struck Colonel Crofton on his left side, gone through his left lung, and out at his right side. It had thee struck the Adjutant, gone through his left arm, and lodged in his spine, whence it was, about an hour aftrwards, abstracted by Dr. Donald and Dr. Clarke, the medical officers of the barracks, and in the presence of Dr. Hammond, of Preston, who had been called in to their assistance. M'Cufferay was at once apprehended. He coolly said to the soldier who seized him, 'Take my rifle." The civil authorities were eommunicated with, and he was taken into custody by Mr. Superintendent Green, of the county constabulary. When taken in charge he merely said that he had not intended to hit Colonel Crofton, implying, it was understood, that he had been desirous of shooting Captain' Benham.  M'Crifferay was removed in the charge of Captain Eigee and Mr. Green to the House of Correction. M•Cafferay has not borne the best character while in the regiment. His father also was transported a few years since for being concerned in a poaching affray. The Preston Mercury thus records the scene which occurred immediately after 31'Cafferay bad fired The bullet struck Colonel Crofton on the right breast, and through that region, then went through Adjutant Hanham's left arm, entered his breast, and lodged in the spine. Adjutant Hanham pot his hand upon the wound and then coolly walked to the officers' quarters. Colonel Crofton stepped back a few paces, threw up his arms, and said, " 0 my God. I ant shot: He then walked up to his own quarters, with a little assistance. M•Cafferay, after firing, handed his rifle to the lance-corporal of his company, and said to him, “ Here, take it."  The Manchester Guardian says :—Colonel Crofton served with distinction in the Crimea, where he led the 17th Regiment, and received a severe wound in the left hand, which has since been almost useless. He has a wife and three young children. Adjutant Harkbam, in the Cabal campaign, displayed greet bravery, end on various parts of his body bears honourable sears. He has a wife and four very young children. This shocking affair has created deep feelings of sympathy and horror in the town if Preston, where Colonel Crofton is well knows and highly esteemed. Ile is cousin to Lieutenant-Colonel Crofton, who married the daughter of the late John Addison, Esq., Judge of the Preston County Court. Both officers are much beloved at the barracks, where the deepest gloom prevails. On inquiry at a late hour on Sunday evening, it was ascertained thai, Colonel Crofton was dead. Captain Hanham, who had slept, was a little easier, but he died on Monday morning at 11.15. An inquest has been held, and a verdict of " wilful murder" returned against M.Cafferay.  The Marquis of Londonderry has appointed the Rev. Dr. Wolff his lordship's domestic chaplain.  The leading brewers of Burton have issued circulars to their customers, informing them that on and after the let of October, the prices of ale will he reduced 6s. per barrel, the prospects of the harvest happily enabling them to make the reduction. A profound sensation has been created in Brecon. shire, Monmouthshire, and the adjacent counties, by the melancholy suicide of Mr. Davies, of Llangattock, agentleman holding an influential position in society, and well known in South Wales. He accomplished the sad sot by placing the muzzle of a rifle in his mouth, which he succeeded in discharging with the aid of a ruler to touch the trigger. He was found quite dead, with the rifle resting on his shoulder. No cause is assigned for the rash act. Deceased was 50 years of age. A "