Newport Barrack Prize Fight
 

Cincinnati Daily Enquirer, 16 February 1859, page 2

NEWPORT NEWS

NEWPORT BARRACKS-PRIZE FIGHT AMONG THE SOLDIERS-The regular Paymaster in the US Army was at the Newport Barracks on Monday last, and paid off the officers and men now stationed there, something upward of two hundred. After receiving their money, each on sought such amusement as suited himself.

On yesterday afternoon some of them became quite uproarious and tow of them managed to get up a prize fight a al Haenan and Morrissey, staking the enormous sum of fifty cents on the results. the preliminaries being arranged to the satisfaction of the parties, they adjourned o the commons back of the city, where a spot was selected an when all was prepared, the principals "pitched in" with an exhibition of science and skill that would have done honor to the above eminent pugilists.

Intelligence of the fight was conveyed to the police, after the parties had fought several rounds, and Marshal Cook, with a posse of his assistants, started in quest of them. Arriving upon the ground, the Marshal found the friends of the pugilists belligerent and inclined to oppose the officers in the execution of their duty.

In fact they resisted, whereupon the Marshal drew a revolver and threatened to use if if they did not yield. Intimidated by the pistol and the determination of the officer, they very discreetly gave in and Marshal Cook succeeded in arresting seven of the offenders, who were lodged in jail. They will be examined before the Mayor this morning at nine o'clock.

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Cincinnati Daily Enquirer, 17 February 1859, page 2

NEWPORT NEWS

DISPOSAL OF THE PRIZE FIGHTERS-The soldiers belonging to Newport Barracks, who were arrested by Officers Cook, Morton and Clary for being engaged in a "prize fight" on the commons back of the city, on Tuesday last, were arraigned before Esquire Sine. It appeared in evidence that Thomas Reedy and Wellington Marshall were the principals and they were disposed of by fining them each $5 and costs.

Ramsy Galph, one of the seconds, who proposed when he police made their appearance, to "clean the officers out" was also fined $5 and costs. The memory of Edward Ferris, was somewhat in fault while in Court; he did not remember being present, but as there was a sober witness present, whose memory was less than treacherous, Edward was fined $2 and costs: and W S Hardin was fined $1 and costs.

There were also two promising young soldiers arrested, who like Tray, were caught in bad company. Esquire Sine thought that it was punishment enough for them to have remained in the Newport Jail all night and they were discharged. The defendants having no money to discharge their fines were remanded to jai.

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