Shooting by a Soldier.
--The Mayor yesterday morning concluded the examination of John F. Newsom, of North Carolina, charged with feloniously shooting Martin Grepp and two other members of the City Battalion, some few weeks since. The defence introduced two witnesses, one of whom saw the whole occurrence, and testified to the following facts:Jno. W. Garner.--Newsom and myself were on guard duty at Castle Thunder, on the afternoon of the occurrence. We had strict orders to allow no one to approach too near the prison walls, or to talk with or make signs to the prisoners. About half-past 5 o'clock Chas. Johnson and one or two other members of the City Battalion, who had been guarding some negro laborers, returned them to the Castle. After leaving the servants, and when on their way to their barracks, Johnson stopped near a prison window and commenced a conversation with a female prisoner. Newsom, in obedience to orders, ordered him off. About 6 o'clock Newsom and myself were relieved, and obtained permission to go to our suppers. Newsom asked if we should leave our guns, but I told him no, thinking that they might get misplaced, and we should not be able to find them on our return. We then started off, and when near 20th street Newsom was halfed by a man, (Johnson,) who said he wanted a word with him. Johnson then said to Newsom, "Why did you speak to me in such a manner at Castle Thunder a short time since?" Newsom replied, "Because you were violating orders, and you have been on duty there often enough to know it." Johnson then said, "You did not speak to me like a gentleman, G — d d — n you, and if you will put that gun down I can whip you. " Newsom replied, "I'd be a pretty G — d d — n fool to put my gun down to fight four or five of you," and, raising his gun, commenced backing off. Just then some ten or fifteen more of the battalion ran up and advanced on Newsom. I tried to make peace, and was caught hold of by one of the party. As Newsom continued to back, the crowd pressing on him, Grepp ran from across the street, pressed his way to the front, and, throwing off his coat, rushed upon Newsom and gave him a violent blow in the face, nearly knocking him down. As Newsom recovered, he levelled his rifle at Grepp and fired, the ball striking him in the breast, and, glancing, fractured private Frey's arm and lodged in the abdomen of private Morris, causing his death.
Garner's testimony being corroborated by another eye-witness, the Mayor decided that the accused had been guilty of no crime, in as much as he had been assailed for performing his lawful duty and had only used his rifle in self-defence. He therefore discharged the accused, and advised that the aggressors be court-martialed.
