THE DEESA TRAGEDY—TWO OFFICERS SHOT BY A. SOLDIER.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 232, 11 July 1872, Page 5

THE DEESA TRAGEDY — TWO OFFICERS SHOT BY A. SOLDIER.

We learn the particulars of «% dreadful occurrence at Deesa (Imlia), from a private letter. Lieutenant Munro, the Adjutant of the 108 th Regiment, was shot dead on parade by Private Butler, and wounds inflicted on Captain A. H. Laurie; were so severe as to be at once pronounced mortal. Captain Laurie died shortly after being removed to his own bungalow. He loaves a wife and two young children. Butler, the murderer, succeeded in shooting himself bjfore he could be seized. The deceased officers were great favorites in the regiment, both in messroom ai d barracks. Early on the morniug of the 17th April, Captain Laurie was rMing out of his compound, dressed for parade, when Butler sprang from his place of concealment aud fired at him. Laurie fell from his horse wounded, when the ruffian re-loaded and fired again. Captain Lturie had now sustaiueA two wounds — me iv the thigh, ami another in the shoulder. The firing at this unusual time and place brought Ms Laurie out to ascertain the cause. Her screams, following the shots, brought up the Adjutant (lUunro), who gallo'ipcd to the spot. Butler saw him approaching, turned towards him, and shot him through the heart. Munro never uttered a souad or cry, but fell from his horse dead. Again Butler turned upon his helpless victim, and, advancing within three feet of him, inflicted another wound in the presence of Mrs Laurie, who could do nothing to aid her husband. Now Lieutenant Crawford and Captain Stokes came up ; they, too, were fired at ; tlie wonder is how they escaped. Colonol Williams, too, had a couple of shots pass unpleasantly near his head. Captain •Stokes turned out the quarter guard, who charged the muidercr in aboly. He ran from the officers' quarters towards the ration stand, closely pursued by a sergeant Gettiug into a shed, he expended his list cartridge in blowing his own brains out. Lieutenant Munro was buried on the evening of the 17th, the day on which he met his death. Captain Laurie died at half-past three on the same day. It was at first in tended to amputate his leg, but the operation was not performed, as the other wounds, fro which surgical skill could do nothing, were only too clearly mortal.