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STA-TEMKNT 
 
 OF THE 
 
 CIECUMSTANCES ATTENDING THE 
 
 DEATH OF 
 
 WILFRED D. SPEER. ESQ., 
 
 WriH COPIES OF TESTDIOMT AMD OOBBESPONDEKOB. 
 
 >»»«»■ 
 
 ■ - / 
 
 LONDON, ONTARIO. 
 
 JOaN CAMERON, BOOK AND JOB FiONTEB, i)UNDAS STREET WEST. 
 
 ise7. 
 
 4k 
 
BR 
 
 S 7f 
 
 -11 
 
 5ii'3> 
 
 i^Mw 
 
CORRESPONDENCE AND TESTIMONY. 
 
 STATBMEMTof circumstances attending the death of Wilfred D. Speer, Esq., 
 of West End Lodge, Thames Ditton, Surrey, v!ho teo5 shut by a l^ldier 
 of the United States Army, on board a Steamboat on the Missouri, on the 
 night of the 7th June, 1867/ to which is appended a copy of testimony 
 taken on oath on board the Steamboat the day following his death; to- 
 gether with an additional statement made by the Captain of the Steamboat 
 on his return to St. Louis, Mo., July 16, 1867, and correspondency. 
 WiLFRKD D. Spbbb, whose death, or rather as there seems but too good 
 ground for believing, whose wilful murder is recorded in the following brief 
 accQunt, was a gentleman of fortune, who had, during the last few years, visited 
 most parts of the East and ^iTest, for the sake of sport or in ijearch of adventure. 
 He was a Magistrate for the County of Surrey and a Captain in the Militia pf 
 that County, and one whom manners and character secured for him the good 
 will and esteem of all with whom he came in contact. 
 
 In October, 1866, he arrived on this continent and passed the autumn and 
 winter in visiting New Brunswick, Canada, the United States, and Cuba. In 
 the month o? May, 1867, he left London, Caaada West, where he had been stay- 
 ing with the writer, and proceeded to Omaha, there to embark on board the 
 steamer Octavia on her passage to Fort Benton, on the Missouri, from which 
 point he intended to make his way to San Francisco. His last letter to the 
 writer was dated Sioux City, 23rd May, 1867, in which he mentiontd that there 
 were a number of United States troops on board proceeding to the disturbed 
 Indian districts. From that time no further notice of his movements was 
 received until a paragraph appeared in the New York Jlmei of the 28th^un6 
 last, briefly recounting the manner of his shocking death on board the oimlvia. 
 The writer, being an old and intimate friend of his and, to the best of his 
 knowledge, the only personal friend of his family on this side of the Atlantic, 
 at once placed himself in communication with the British Minister at Washing- 
 Iten and with the British Consul at Chicago, and learned that the steamer 
 loctavia would be tt St Louis, Mo., on her return voyage, on or about the 
 llth July, 1867, having on board the remains and effects of Captain Speer. He 
 >roceeded there t« meet her, with a view of taking charge of the body as well as 
 btaining authentic statements ot the manner of his death. 
 At Chicago the writer was joined by the acting British Consul of St Louis, 
 vbo would have accompanied him to St Louis, but the train coming into oo^ - 
 ision v'ith anothw, the acting Consul was amongst the passengers so much 
 njured, that it was fouad necessary to send him back to Chicago, thus pre- 
 rfanting his giving his aid in the prosecution of the necessary inquiries. 
 
I ' 
 
 Oa arrival, however, at Si Louis, everyone seemed animated witb bat one 
 disposition in the m&tter, vis. : To render every assistance; and the unqualified 
 cpinion of all with whom the writer spoke on the subject tended to ^onfirm him 
 in the conclusion he had previously arrived at, that the death of Captain Speer 
 was in fact a cold-blooded, deliberate murder. A murder by whom,%nd for 
 what end committed, the subjoined statement of facts leaves little room for 
 doubt. 
 
 Particular attention is called to the medioal testimony, as to the position of 
 the wound which caused the unfortunate gentleman's death. It is evident that 
 he was not challenged by the sentry, nor had he attempted to force the post. 
 The sentry was lying in wait 42 feet from the post assigned tr. him ; he allowed 
 his victim to pass, and, while in the act of stooping to unfas^n the cabin door, 
 took deliberate aim and shot him from behind. 
 
 That the crime will be thoroughly ^fted at the instance of the British Legation 
 at Washington, and that the perpetrators will be dealt with most strictly accor- 
 ding to law, there can be no doubt; bntin completion of the sacred duty owing 
 to the memory of a friend, the writer thtnks it well to record, whilst the i^iatter 
 is firesh and to eircnla'te amongst those who he is confident will not allow it to 
 lie lightly put aside, she results of the preliminary action, which is the only part 
 • private individual las the p ;wer to take. 
 
 COURTENAY F. TERRY, 
 
 Lieut. 60tb Royal Rifles^ 
 
 London, Ontario, Canada, July 20, IBeT. 
 
 The following extract hom the St. Louis B^mbUun of the 19th of July, will 
 serve to indicate to some slight extent the fadings entertained by the fellow 
 passengers of the late Capt. Speer as to the oulpabilitj of the soldier who, under 
 the pretext of "orders," murdered an inoffensive Bnglirii gentleman :— 
 
 « Death of CAPtiiN Sf-siR. — ^The passengers on the steamn: Oetavia upon 
 the killing ef the English officer. Captain Speer, adopted the following as ex. 
 pressive of their esteem for the deceased and of th^ cmademnation of the 
 eriminal act by which he was killed: 
 
 "|Ve sincerely deplore the death of onr esteemed fellow passenger, Oaptalo 
 WillM D. Spew, who was killed on the steamer Oetavia on the night of the 7th 
 insi, 1^ the inteotional firing of a gun in the hands of the seatitel, William 
 Barry. 
 
 •< Captain Speer embarked oa the steamer Oetavia at Omaha City. Nebraska, 
 on Sunday, 19th May, and bad by his urbanity of manners, gentlemauly inter- 
 oourse and conversational and social qualities won the esteem, so far as we 
 know, of all the passengers* 
 
 *' The day proceding bis de»th was V> all outward appearance the happiest of 
 that voyage to him, as he displayed an unusual flow of spirits, and was often 
 during the day seen romping and placing with the children on board. 
 
 « Truly, < In the midst of life we are In death,' and how often is it that the 
 finest and noblest speeimens of manhood are stricken down by the Great Author 
 nfM things, that it may be writtM Upon the tablets of memory, "what shad-* 
 •ws we are, what riiadows we putRiek'* 
 
Aimated with bat one 
 e; and the unqualified 
 tended to ^onfirm him 
 leath of Captain Speer 
 3er bj whoni,%nd for 
 leaves little room for 
 
 , as to the position of 
 th. It iB evident that 
 )ted to force the post, 
 aed to him ; he allowed 
 fas^n the eabin door, 
 
 of the British Legation 
 th most strictly accor- 
 the s&ored duty owing 
 ord, whilst the matter 
 nt will not allow-it to 
 which is the only part 
 
 LY F. TERRY, 
 t. 60th Royal lUflee. 
 
 the 19th of July, will 
 trtainwl by the fellow 
 the soldier who, under 
 
 gentleman:— 
 
 Bt«am«r Oetavia upon 
 d the following as ex. 
 
 cMtdemDation of the 
 
 )W passenger, Oaptalo 
 on the night of the 7th 
 the senticel, William 
 
 hnahaCity. Nebraska, 
 
 fs, gentlemaaly inteiv 
 
 esteem, so far as we 
 
 mrance the happiest of 
 f spirits, and was often 
 :en on board, 
 ow often is it that the 
 n by the Great Author 
 memory, "whatshad-* 
 
 « Qnr fisllow- passenger has gone, and whilst we cannot call him back, wo d« 
 seply sympathize with the relatives and friends, and we assure them, that 
 thoutcb he was in a strange land, yet kind and gentle hands placed his remi^ni 
 
 the proper condition to be restored to them. 
 
 <' We also assure the relatives and friends of Captain Speer, tb^t a committee 
 
 investl adon was appointed by a meeting of the passengers, e,nd that said 
 immltte , after a careful and thorough investigation of the testimony, recom- 
 leaded that the severest punishment known to the law be dealt out to the sentl- 
 el who committed the cui|jable act." 
 
 To His Excellency, 
 
 Sir FREDERICK BRUCE, 
 B. M. Envoy Extbaorjoixabt, ani Mimtstkr FLBNiFOTBNTiiiRTf 
 
 Washinotov. 
 
 ( London, Ontario, Canada, 
 I July 20th, 1867. 
 Jib:— 
 
 I have the honor to fbrwarci for your Excellency's information, the enclosed 
 »py of the Court of Inquiry held on board the steamer Oetavia, near Fort 
 ufoi-d, Missouri river, regarding the death of Mr. W. D. Speer, a paesenger on 
 ard the boat 
 
 I also enclose the statement made to me by Cftptalo La Barge (the Captain of 
 he Oetavia), on the 16th Inst, oi facts tha^. had come to his knowledge since 
 he Court of Inquiry, held on tie 8th June last ^^v 
 
 I beg also to add, that Captain La Barge told me that the general impressloa 
 mong the passengers, officep; and crew of the Oetavia was that the murder was 
 ommitted with the full H-iowledge beforehand of Lieut. Harrigan, the olBcer 
 charge of the detach 74t. 
 
 I am informed that '^ieut, Harrigan has Just fieea promoted f^m the ranks' 
 and boasts of being a deserter from Her Majesty's service; both the sentinel, 
 private Barry, and Lieut Harrigan, are reputed Fenians^ and th<) general 
 opinion of all classes in Bt. Louis, with whom I came in contact, is that Mr.- 
 jSpeer was murdored by them, solely because he was a British Officer. '' 
 
 In conclusion, I beg to state for your Bxoeitency's information that I hav«) 
 forwarded copies o?the eneiosed documents, as ic^ll as of this letter, to Richard 
 Benyon, Esq., M. ?.; George Cubitt, Esq., U. P., and Richard Garth, Esq., 
 
 «.P. 
 
 I ha.ve the honor to be, 
 
 You» Excellency's most olwdient servant, 
 
 COURTENAY F. TERRY, 
 
 Lieut 60th Royal Riflei. 
 
 TESTIMONY taken by a Committee appointed on the 81h in8t., to inquire 
 into the causes that led to the death of Captain Spbeb^ of the British 
 orniff, on the 7th inaiantf June, 1667. 
 
 JosiPH 0. La Babob, sworn: My name io Joseph C. La Barge: I am twenty • 
 tiiree yean of age; I am pilot on the stMimar Oetavia, plying betif?ea^ Saint 
 
Louis, Mo,, »nd Fort Benton, Montana Territory. I waa prment on the night 
 of the 7th of June, inst., and was in company with the deceased. When we 
 got to the head of the stairway of the hurricano doclc, I stopped to close the 
 doors of the stairway. Deceased preceded me, and was first to meet the 
 SMtinei posted on said deck. I heard no challenge ftroiu sentinel; heard the 
 report of sentinel's gun; saw and hoard deceased fall; was about six or seven 
 feet from deceased when he fell. If (he sentinel had challenged deceased, I 
 would have heard him. The sentinel, after deceased fell, challenged me. I 
 remarked to him that he had shot Captain Speer. Sentinel told me to stay 
 there until he called sergeant of the guard; he called the sei<geant of the guard, 
 •nd he came on deck. I know of nothing further, 
 (Signed,) ,,, 
 
 JOSEPH C. LA BARGE. 
 
 Jambs R. Goofer, being duly sworn 2 I am twenty-two years of age. I am 
 carpenter of the steamer Ootavia; was on the stern of the boiler deck of said 
 boat on the night of the 7th of June inst. About a quarter of an hour to one 
 o'clock ».m. of said night, I heard the report of a gun on hurricane deck of 
 ■aid boat. In a minute or two 1 went into, the hurricane roof of said boat, and 
 found Captain Speer lying at the aft end of Texas, near the deor; he was not 
 yet dead. I heard nothing said at the time, only -the report of the gun; it waa 
 raining at the time, but not very hard. Lieu^. Harrigan was present; he 
 remarked to me not to speak of It until morning. Deceased lived about five 
 . minutes after I got to him. I went and called Dr. Fowler. Joseph G. La 
 Barge was standing near deceased, and the engineers were looking out of the 
 door of the hall of Texas. The sentinel was also present. Lieut. Harrigan 
 ordered sentinel disarmed and placed under arrest. I know of nothing furthA, 
 (Signed,)' 
 
 JAMES R. COOPER. 
 
 Allen Fowler^ being sworn, deposed and says: I am twenty.five years of 
 •ge, and by profession a surgeon and physician ; am a passenger on board of the 
 iteamer Octavia; am a regular graduate of the Medical College called the 
 « University of Maryland." I was in my stateroom on the night of the 7th 
 June, inst ; was called up about a quarter to one o'clook a,m, I immediately 
 went on to the hurricane roof of said boat, where I found the body of Captain 
 Speer, lying on his back on said roof, with head towards the shore. I prooMded 
 ' to exaonine the body; flslt fbr his pulse, but found none; felt for the contraction 
 ' of the heart, but fbund it had ceased to contract, and then pronounced life 
 (hctinot. Upon fhrtber examination I fbund be had been shot, the ball taking 
 effect below and behind the left ear, ranging through the base of the brain, and 
 coming out at the nose, carrying the tip end of the nose away; fh)m the size of 
 W/und It must have been made with a musket or army ball ; from the eflbct of 
 ifaid wound Capt. Speer died. There was present at the examination made by 
 me, Jos. C. La Barge^ James R. Cooper. I know nothing of the cause that led 
 tc the iihooting of Capt. Soeer, 
 
 (Signed,) 
 
 ALLEN FOWLER, M.D. 
 
 F. H. Eastman, being duly sworn, deposed and says that: I am Ibrty-three 
 years of age; am a passenger on board of the steamer Ootavia. Lieut, 
 Harrigan, James Cooper and myself were sitting on the stern of the boiler dbok 
 «l laid boat; io about one minute after Capt, Speer and Joa, C. L» B«rge left 
 
waa proBent on the night 
 
 the deceased. When wo 
 >ck, I stopped to close the 
 td was first to meet the 
 
 n*oui sentinel; heard the 
 II; waa about six or seven J 
 id challenged deceased, I 
 )d fell, challenged me. I 
 
 Sentinel told me to stay 
 the sei<geant of the guard, 
 
 ! 0. LA BARGE. 
 
 two years of age. I am 
 )f the boiler deck of said 
 quarter of an hour to one 
 un on hurricana deck of 
 ine roof of said boat, and I 
 Bar the deor; he was not i 
 report of the gun; it was 
 arrigan was present; he 
 )ecflaaed lived about five 
 Fowler. Joseph C. La 
 were looking out of the 
 resent. Lieut. Harrigan 
 know of nothing furthtft-, 
 
 [ES R. COOPER. 
 
 am twenty.flve years of 
 lassenger on board of the 
 Jioal College called the 
 
 on the night of the 7th 
 K>k a,m, I immediately 
 md the body of Captain 
 
 the shore. I proceeded 
 ; felt for the contraction] 
 id then pronounced Ufa i 
 lenshot, the ball taking 
 le base of the brain, and 
 5 away; fW)m the size of 
 
 ball; from the eflbct of | 
 e examination made by 
 Dg of the oause that led 
 
 POWLEH, M.D. 
 
 I that: I am forty-three] 
 
 mer Ootavia. Lieut. 
 
 stern of the boiler dtock I 
 
 Job. C. Lft Bwso left 
 
 to go on hurricane roof, I hoard a shot on said roof; but heard no challenge, 
 I remarked to Lieut. Harrigan that some of his men had let a gun off carelessly. 
 Lieut. Harrigan and James R. Cooper went on to the hurricane roof of the boat. 
 I remained on the boiler dock of the boat until Lieut. Harrigan returned. I 
 asked him what was the matter. " My Gtod, Mr. Eastman, a horrible affair has 
 occurred; be quiet until morning." I went on deck and found Capt. gpeer dead. 
 This occurred about half-past twelve q'olock fti^M on the night of the 7th of 
 June, inst,, A. D. 1867. 
 
 (Signed,) 
 
 F, H. EASTMAN. 
 
 JoBiPHcs Blakk, being duly sworn, deposes and says: I am twentyrolght 
 years of age; am asslBtant engineer on the steamer Ootav'<^. I was in my room 
 in Texas of said boat at about half-past twelve o'clock a,m. of the night of the 
 Tth June, A.D. 1867. I heard a shot fired on the hurricane roof of said boat; 
 immediately after the firing I looked out of my room, and heard some one say 
 that <<you have shot that man." I heard no challenge before the shooting; if 
 any challenge had been given I would have heard it. My door is about ten feet 
 from the sentinel, with the door and transom of said room open. I know of 
 nothing lUrther about the matter. 
 (Signed,) 
 
 JOSEPHUS BLAKE, 
 
 Albert 6. La Babob, being duly sworn, deposes and says: I am twenty-one 
 years of afi;e; am clerk of the steamer Octavia. Capt. Speer was a passenger on 
 board of the steamer Octavia: got aboard at Omaha, Nebraska, and was bound 
 for Fort Benton; he occupied a room in Texas of said boat; his baggage marked 
 Wilfred D. Speer, Quebec, Canada, be being the same man that was killed on 
 the hurricane roof of the steamer Octavia, on the night of the 7th June, A,D, 
 1867. 
 
 (Signed,) 
 
 A, G. La BARGE. 
 
 ViOTon JovEs, being duly sworn, deposes and says: I am twenty^four yean 
 of age; I belong to the Thirteenth Regiment of the U S. A. ; I am- corporal of 
 one of the companies of said regiment; had charge of the guard on board of the 
 steamer Octavia on the night of the 7th June, A.D. 1867. I placed the guard 
 on the hurricane roof of said boat at twelve o'clock m., on the night of the 7th 
 of June, as aforesaid; I placed one guard at the aft end of Texas of said boat, 
 and one at the fh)nt end of Texas. The guard at the aft end of Texas is by the 
 name of William Barry; he speiiks thb English language, My orders to said 
 guards were as follows, to wit;^« If any one approaches the boat from the shore 
 side to halt them once; if they did not halt and answer, they were to fire,. If 
 any band of persons or Indians were seen approaching the boat, they wera to 
 fire without baiting," I gave no orders in relation to passengers on board of 
 the boat. The guard, William Barry, I think at the time I placed him on 
 watch was sober. The guards were relieved every two hours. Barry had 
 been on guard about half an hour when the shooting occurred, Barry told me 
 that he had shot a man when I went on the hurricane roof after hearing the 
 shooting, Barry said that he thought that the man was an enemy; that he 
 halted bim; he made no answer and he then fired. I have had no orders from 
 Lieut Harrigan or the orderly sergeant to halt any passengers aboard the boat. 
 I g»ve no orden to the aentioela on Av^y to halt any of the passengois tiboara 
 
8 
 
 of tbe boat Lieut Hftirlgan ordnred me, after the nhootlng of Capt, Spe«r, to 
 disarm tlie seatiael Barry, aad put him under arrest; be is now under arredt. 
 ' (Signed,) 
 
 VICTOR JONES. 
 
 JoBKPH La..Barob, being first duly sworn, deposes and says: I am fifty-one 
 years of ago; I am captain of tbe stcanier Octavia, I was in my stateroom 
 in Texas on the night of the 7th of 'june, A.D. 1867. Botween twelve and ene 
 o'oloolc of said night I was called up by my son. Joseph G. La Barge; I got np 
 immediately and went to the aft of Texas, where I found Captain Spoer lying 
 dead. I examined the wound; it was such a one that he must have died 
 instantly; trom the appearance of the wound deceased must have been stooping 
 at the time he was shot Standing by the corpse were my flrit engineer, Chas. 
 Newell, and assistant engineer Graham, Dr. Fowler, ono of the stokers, and my 
 ion, Jos. C, La Barge; the sentinel also. I understood from the sergeant of the 
 guard that the sentinels were not allow<pd to permit any one to move about on 
 the root When the Lieutenant came up I requested him to remove the 
 sentinel, as I wanted no more shooting there. He (the Lieut) immediately 
 aent the guard below. It was not through my request that a guard was placed 
 on the hurricane roof. Lieut Harrlgan after Idaving Fori Rice said to me if 
 I had no objMtion he would place a guard on the hurricane roof if be (Capt, 
 La Barge) would permit I agreed to it on the condition that the guard was 
 not to interfere with the passengers and that they were^ not to walk on the roof 
 disturbing the passengers. One of the guard was to be placed aft of tbe wheels 
 and the other in front of tbe chimneys. Col. Powell said to me at Fort Rioe 
 that the troops were not to interfere with tbe passengers almard of the boat 
 I saw the sentinel William Barry on the morning of the 8th of June, who 
 shot Capt. Speer. I asked tbe sentinel if be was in bis right mind at the time 
 be shot Capt Speer. He replied that he was and that be bad done his duty 
 and obeyed orders; his reply was in a most insolent tone. . Capt Speer I met 
 first at 0m4ia, Nebraska; he telegraphed me from QuetMO that he would meet 
 me at Omaha; his name is *W. D. Speer, Captain of tbe 79tb of tbe Royal 
 Rifles of London; this information I received through a dispatch from him 
 from Quebec. The sentinel was not on the evening of the 7tb at the place 
 agreed upon by Lieut Harrigan and myself. I do not consider tbe troops 
 essential to the safety of tbe boat or its passengers, I took the troops up the 
 river under a contract ftvm the government as deck passengers. 
 (Signed,) 
 
 JOSEPH La barge. 
 
 William W. Southard, being sworn, deposes and says: I am twenty-sevea 
 years of age. Am second engineer on the steamer Octavia. I was in my room 
 in Texas when the shot was fired. I heard some one remark: « You have 
 killed a friend," and one other remark that « It was the Englishman." I went 
 out after hearing these remarks to tbe after end of Texas, where I saw Capt, 
 Speer weltering in his blood; he died soon after I reached him, ^ 
 (Signed,) 
 
 WM. W. SOUTHARD. 
 
 CHARtaa C. Newrll, being sworn, deposes and says: I am thirty>elgh4 
 years of age, and first engineer of the steamer Octavia. I went to my 
 
 * This mistake must have occurred in conoequesce of Captain Speer giving 
 bJAaddrew to my care^ ^ 
 
 ■to. 
 
hgofCapt, Spoer, to 
 Is now under arreit. 
 
 |tOR JONES. 
 
 8*y«: I am Mty^M 
 w in my stateroom 
 Jwpen twelve and one 
 |- La Barge; I got np 
 Captain Speer lying 
 he must have died 
 It have been stooping 
 flit engineer, Cbas. 
 the stokers, and my 
 I tbe sergeant of the 
 ne to move about on 
 him to remove the 
 Lieut.) immediately 
 t a guard was placed 
 't Bice said to me If 
 ine roof If be (Capt, 
 that tbe guard was 
 t to walk on the roof 
 oed aft of the wheels 
 1 to me at Fort Rioe 
 aboard of the boat. 
 » 8th of June, who 
 fht mind at the time 
 e had done his duty 
 Capt. Speer I met 
 that he would meet 
 > 79th of tbe Royal 
 dispatch from him 
 ie 7th at the place 
 anslder the troops 
 t the troops up the 
 'fin. 
 
 ja barge. 
 
 I am twenty-sevea 
 I was in my room 
 •afk: " You have 
 lishman." i^ent 
 ^here I saw Capt, 
 a. ^ 
 
 PTHARD. 
 
 am thlrty^lghi 
 I went to my 
 
 »in Speer giving 
 
 9 
 
 Dm in Texas about half past eleven ott the nighf of the 7tb of June, A. D 
 
 1867. There was a sentinel on duty standing by tbe door of the after part o 
 
 Texas; he did not challenge me. I asked him what his orders were; he said 
 
 ke bad orders to shoot any man or thing on tbe bank. I don't think it was the 
 
 fame sentinel that shot Capt. Speer. I passed on the same side of tbe boat 
 
 rhere the sentinel was stationed. I knew of no guard being stationed aft of 
 
 ^he Texas until the night referred to. 
 
 (Signed,) 
 
 CHARLES NEWELL. 
 
 Jacob Warrik, being duly sworn, deposes and says: I am twenty-one years 
 sf age, and belong to the 13th Regiment of tbe regular army. I went on guard 
 it ten o'clock, p. m., on the night of the 7th of June, A. D. 1867; was stationed 
 Ion the after part of Texas. My orders were to challenge any person coming 
 ■from the outside to get on to the boat, and if they did not halt to fire; If they 
 (halted, te call the sergeant of tbe guard, and to fire into a number of persons 
 I approaching the boat without halting;, I gave these instructions to the 
 [sentinel that relieved me at 12 m., of the night; that sentinel is now under 
 I arrest. 
 
 (Signed,) 
 
 JACOB WARREN. 
 
 We, the coMifiTTEK of txquest, appointed, to inquire into tbe cause of the 
 death of Capt. W. D. Speer, a passenger on tbe steamer Ootavia on tbe 
 night of the 7th of June, A. D. 1867, do make this, our report: 
 
 That the said Capt. W. D. Speer was killed by the deliberate firing of a gun 
 on the hurricane roof of the boat in the hands of tbe sentinel, William Barry. 
 That the shooting was not in accordance with any instruction given to si^d 
 sentinel, and that he deserves the most rigid punishment known to tbe law 
 And we, the Committee, do most earnestly Insist (united in by tbe passengers 
 and officers of said boat) that the extreme penalties of tbe law shall be Inflicted 
 npon said prisoner by the military for the gross violation of orders by which a 
 feUow passenger lost his life. We enclose herewith the testimony taken in the 
 case. 
 
 Signed by the Committee, 
 (Signed,) 
 
 THOS. E. TUTT, Chit. Com., 
 GREEN CLAY SMITH, 
 SAM. McLEAN, 
 RICHARD LEACH, 
 F. H. EASTMAN, 
 GEO. McLEAN. 
 
 Attest. 
 W. J. McCORMACK, 
 
 Secretary Court. 
 
 COURTEN A Y P. TERRY, 
 
 Lieut. 60th Royal Rifles. 
 
 (Signed,) 
 
 CA true copy of the origirMlJ 
 
 TO COURTENAY F. TERRY, LIEUT. 60TH ROYAL RIFLES. 
 
 Mt Dear Sir,— 
 
 I desiie to make a farther statement to my testimony given b^re the 
 
II 
 
 t,li 
 
 Vi 
 
 10 
 
 Court, convened to inquire into the shooUng of the late Captain W. D. Speori 
 which I herewith Biibmit: 
 
 After the shooting of Captain Speer the steamer OctaTia proceeded on hei 
 way to Fort Buford. A.t this point the matter of Barry's arrest was referred I 
 Cnl. Rankin, of the 31st Regiment, and ho at first consented to lieep Barry iil 
 confinement until the steamer Octavia had completed the trip to Fohl 
 Benton and returned to Fort Buford; when he agreed that Barry should be 8«oi| 
 forward and turned over to Lt.-6en. Sherman. 
 
 At this time Lieut. Harrigan interfered and expressed the wish to tak«| 
 Barry to Camp Cook, tho place of destination for the men under his command,, 
 in order that he might then report him to Col. Andrews, in command of the I 
 Regiment to which Lieut. Harrigan and his men belonged, and prefer charges I 
 against him. Lieut. Harrif^n staled to Col. Rankin bis intention to prefer] 
 three 'listiuct charges against Barry, as follows:. 
 Fir?t. — Murder. 
 
 Second. — Disobedience of orders. 
 
 Third. — Conduct while on board the steamer unbecoming of a soldier. 
 To this Col. Rankin assented, stating his belief that this was the best coursil 
 to pursue. Col. Rankin asked me if 7 could put Barry in irons. I told him 1 1 
 could. He then directed me to confine Barry and put irons upon him. I put 
 manacles upon his wrists and ankles and had them rivited and kept him upon j 
 'the main deck. ■ ^ 
 
 A few days after the boat left Fort Buford Lieut. Harrigan directed the I 
 boat's engineer to remove the manacles from Barry's limbs. This the engineer 
 refused to do unless so ordered by me. He then told the engineer that he 
 could find means for removing tho irons without coming to me. He procnred a 
 file and entirely removed the irons from Barry's limbs. 
 
 After Barry was released be remained quietly on board until we reachtd 
 Camp Cook. 
 
 At Camp Cook Lieut Harrigan left the boat with his men, and Barrj 4raa 
 taken on shore .under guard. 
 
 At the time of our arrival Col. Andrews, in command at Camp Cook, was 
 absent. Lieut. McGinnis, Post Adjutant, assured me that Barry should be 
 kept safely until the return of Col. Andrews. 
 
 The steamer Octavia pasaed on her way to Fort Benton, and was absent 
 about one week. On my return I stopped at Camp Cook, and had an interview 
 with Col. Andrews, at wb'ch ho informed mo that Lieut. Harrigan had not 
 preferred charges ot any kind against Barry. 
 
 Col. Andrews made statements to me (the words of which I do not now 
 recollect) which left upon my mind the impression that Lieut. Harrigan 
 justified Barry in the shooting of Capt. Speer, and that he manifested no 
 intention of preferring charges against Barry. 
 
 Col. Andrews told me ho could not deliver Barry to me to be forwarded to 
 Lt.-Gen. Sherman, he said he felt sure thie would become an international 
 afi'air and it was hia duty to retain Barry in confinement in order that he might 
 be ready to turn him over to the proper riuthorities when required so to do. 
 
 I desire further to say that Patrick McShain, Assistant Surgeon, U. S. A., at 
 Fort Rice stated that Lieut. Harrigan was constantly under the influence of 
 liquor, and that he had prescribed fjr him when he was labouring under attacks 
 of delirium tremens end had several times given Lieut. Harrigan medicine to 
 quiet him when he was suflforing from excessive indulgence in liquor. 
 
Captain W. D. Spwr,j 
 
 tavia proceeded on Ik 
 8 arrest was referred 
 !nted to keep Barrj ii] 
 ted the trip to Fort! 
 tt Barry should be nat 
 
 Bsed the wish to taktl 
 )n under his command, 
 wa, in command of the I 
 ;ed, and prefer charges 
 iiis intention to prefer 
 
 ing of a koldier. 
 lis was the best count 
 1 irons. I told him I 
 'ons upon him. I put 
 ed and kept him upon 
 
 larrigan directed the 
 
 Ds. This the engineer 
 
 the engineer that he 
 
 tO me. He procured a 
 
 )ard until we reacbcd 
 
 men, and Barr> #aa 
 
 1 at Gamp Cook, was 
 that Barry should be 
 
 nton, and was absent 
 and had an interriew 
 t. Harrigan had not 
 
 which I do not now 
 hat Lieut. Harrigan 
 at he manifested no 
 
 to be forwarded to 
 tme an international 
 
 1 order that he might 
 equircd so to do. 
 Surgeon, U. S. A., at 
 ider the influence of 
 bouring under attacks 
 larrigan medicine to 
 e in liquor. 
 
 11 
 
 [surgeon McShain was a passenger on board the Octavia from Omaha to 
 Drt Rice, and occupied the same stateroom with Lieut. Harrigan from Fort 
 adall to Fort Rice. 
 [Surgeon McShain garc me his address and stated to me if charges were 
 efeired against Lieut. Harrigan, and he was brought to trial, reference might 
 I had to him (McShain) as he was able to make such disclosures as would ruin 
 eut Harrigan's character as an officer. 
 
 I have the honor to be, my dear sir, 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 JOS. La barge. 
 
 Master steamer Octavia. 
 ^t. Louis, Mo., July 16th, 1867. 
 
 Lte of Missouri, ) 
 
 }S. S. 
 ityofSt. Louis, ) 
 
 I, John G. Coonley, a Notary Public, within and for the County 
 
 State aforesaid, do hereby certify that Joseph La Barge, master of the 
 
 ^mer Octavia now lying at the port of Saint Louis, did in my pi'esence 
 
 I his name to the annexed communication in writing addressed to Conrtenay 
 
 Terry, Lieut. 60th Royal Rifles, and I certify that I believe him to be a 
 
 ^table person and entitled to full credit. 
 
 I witness whereof I hereto set my hand and affix my notarial seal this 16tli 
 
 I of July, A. D., 1867, which is the date of the signing .of the instmment 
 
 Aid. 
 
 (Signed,) 
 
 C live copy,) 
 
 JOHN e. COONLEY, 
 
 Notary Public, 
 
 Saint Louis, Go. Mo. 
 COURTENAY F. TERRY, 
 
 Lieut. 60th Royal Rifles.