The Express. — 1848-06-19 (London, England)

SUICIDE OF A PRIVATE IN TILE LIFE GUARDS.  ----On Saturday Mr. Bedford held an inquiry at the Cavalry Barracks, Knightsbridge, respecting the death of H, R. Peareoek, aged 23, a private in the 2nd Life Guards, who destroyed himself whilst under confinement in the black hole.—The jury having been sworn, they viewed the body, which lay in the black hole, a place 'bent 12 feet by 8, aid so ill-venti'ated as to cell torh remark, from the coroner end jury as to the possibility of any one existing in such • plaa • this hot weather for any length of time without being surfs) cited.—C. Adkins, lance corporal, deposed that at 11 o'clock on Tueeday night last he posted the deceased on sentry in the stable-yard, and it was his duty to have remained there two hours; but at • quarter-pest 11 o'clock it was discovered that the deceaeed had left his post asd had broken out of barracks, which he had effected by scaling • wall. At a quarter-past 1 o'clock the following morning the deceased returned to barracks in a state of intoxication, when, ecting according to regimental orders, he placed hint under arrest, and confined him in the black hole, where he remained until six o'clock, when he was removed to the guard-room, and • sentry placed over him. At one o'clock the same day deceased was conveyed before the colonel, who sentenced him to he confined in the black hole for 168 hours, and to be afterwards confined in banacks for the space of three wetki.— i Corporal Tweedy stated that the deceased appeared in good spirits at five o'clock on Thursday night, when he was visited by the regimental surgeon. He saw him again at eight o'clock on Friday morning, when kis breakfast was taken to him, and he eppe.red quite cheerful. At eleven o'clock at noon he accompanied the orderly officer to the black hole. On opening she door, he looked in, and teeing the deceased lying on the bed, he remarked "All right; he is asleep," and left. In about five minutes afterwards r the person who entered with the deceased's dinner ex&aimed, " That he had cut his throat." Witness went in immediately, and saw him in the position he was seen by his officer. He had s pistol shot wound on his left breast. Mr. M'Culloch, the assistant surgeon was sent for irnraedikociy, who on his arrival pronounced him dead. He mule not account for the way in which the pistol got there, nor hail he or any of the guard which is en the spot heard the report of the pistol.— Mr. George M'Crilloch, the assist. ant-surgeon of the 2nd Life Guards, stated that on entering the black hole he found the deceased dead, with a pistol shot wound over the region of the heart. The bullet had entered between the fifth and ninth ribs, penetrated the heart, an.' passed out at his back, and was found lodged in the wall. The edges of the wound, as well as the whole of the front of his shirt, was burnt with gunpowder. On looking about he found • regimental pistol, which had been recently discharged, lying at his feet, and a ah-.rt distance from it a bullet much flattened. A most minute investigation had been made by the officer of the regiment, hut no information could b 3 gathered how the decease el got the pistol or the ball cartridge. After some further evidence had been given, but without elucidating any fresh facts, the coroner summed up the coot., and the jury returned the following verdict—" That the decea-ed dies from a pistol shot wound, inflicted by biumell while in a state of temporary insanity."  FuRTHIRDETENTIONOF