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entered the house, which was in the custody of the Civil Power, and barbarously ill-using the Constables in charge of it. If men had then used their firearms, such a measure, whatever fatal consequences resulted from it, might have been excusable. But the shot that killed Private Constable cannot be justified upon the grounds that when shot, the man was not fighting, but flying from the scene of depredations.
As soon as ever I received on Wednesday morning (the 14th) report of the riot of the previous night, I at once communicated with the Commandant of Harrison, advising that, to prevent further disturbance, he should cause the 99th Regiment to be confined to Barracks until further notice. This was at once agreed to by that Officer, and the order promulgated; but I regret to say that notwithstanding this precaution, a party of from 30 to 40 men broke out of Barracks on Wednesday evening - some of them (about 10 as can be gathered from the evidence) taking with them their Rifles - and proceeded through the town, knocking down and