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Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2343, 5 October 1870, Page 2

A correspondent at Coblentz writes : A painful impression lias been created here by the following incident. Three soldiers of the line were undergoing a long period of imprisonment in the fortress of Ehrenbreitstein for desertion. They had originally deserted at Saarlou'is, and crossed the from tier into France, but, on the persuasion of their families, bad surrendered themselves to their regiment, Their term of piinish: ment was seven years, of which only sis months had expired. Finding their lives, as is asserted, insupportable, they deter; mined to drown themselves on the first favorable opportunity as a preferable fate, A few days ago they were employed on tho Carthause, the fine plateau which separates the Rhine from the Moselle, and It seemed a fitting moment to attempt their rash onterprise. One sentry alone was in charge ef them, and he witnessed their flight. He immediately fired and brought one victim down dead, the bullet having passed through his head. With extraordinary sang froid and determination he loaded a second time, and again fired with fatal precision ; the deserter fell dead, pierced through the heart. Once more loading he fired at the third fugitive, and the bullet passed completely through his body, inflicting frightful injuries to his intestines. The unfortunate man was brought to the military lazaretto in Cohleutz, where he lies in a hopeless condition. In military circles this sad catastrophe is regarded as a fitting retribution for a grave broach of discipline, a view of the case not altogether shared in by the civil portion of its community. One thing is certain, the needlegun in tho hands of a good marksman is a sure and terrible weapon,