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The New Hampshire Gazette
Portsmouth, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
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In Rockingham, a sentinel guarding prisoner Spruce shot and wounded young gentleman Wm. M'Williams in the ankle with buck-shot during a misunderstanding on Sunday evening, Oct. 16. The wound was dangerous, possibly requiring amputation. Sergeant George O'Ferrell and sentinel Edward Newby were jailed, tried on Oct. 31, and acquitted.
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The last Rockingham paper relates a melancholy occurrence, which has grown out of the removal of Spruce to that town. From the character of the prisoner it was deemed necessary to place a guard over him at the jail. A sentinel, on duty, rather full of the importance of his business, hailed, on Sunday evening the 16th inst. two young gentlemen who were on their way to the Methodist meeting, and bringing them to, under the point of the bayonet, commanded them to "mark time." Considering the conduct of the sentinel as nothing more than a jest, the young gentlemen carelessly replied they would "mark time" to the Meeting-house, and, arm in arm, turned up in that direction. While crossing the street, they were ordered several times to stop--but not obeying, the sergeant of the guard commanded the sentinel to fire; which he accordingly did, and, unfortunately, lodged eight buck-shot, or slugs, in and immediately above the ankle of one of the gentlemen, Mr. Wm. M'Williams. The Register observes, that "the wound was of a dangerous nature," and it was not certain whether amputation might be dispensed with. The sergeant, George O'Ferrell, and the sentinel, Edward Newby, were committed to jail.
Since the above was in type, we have been informed that O'Ferrell and Newby were tried on Monday last before a called Court and acquitted.
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Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Rockingham
Event Date
Sunday Evening The 16th Inst.
Key Persons
Outcome
wound to ankle of mr. wm. m'williams with eight buck-shot or slugs; dangerous nature, possible amputation. sergeant george o'ferrell and sentinel edward newby committed to jail, tried on monday last before a called court, and acquitted.
Event Details
A sentinel on guard duty at the jail hailed two young gentlemen heading to Methodist meeting, commanded them to mark time under bayonet point. They jested and continued to meeting-house. Ordered to stop multiple times, sergeant commanded fire; sentinel shot, wounding Mr. Wm. M'Williams in ankle.