Terry,

In case you might not have this, I copy the Richmond Dispatch re the Keene incident.

George Martin

The Richmond Daily Dispatch: February 3, 1864.

Fatal Shooting at Castle Thunder.

--Between 12 and 1 o'clock yesterday morning, a fatal affair occurred between two of the sentinels at Castle. Thunder and Samuel Keene, master's mate on bound the C. S. steamer Beaufort. It appears from the testimony elicited before the jury of inquest that Keene had been sent out in the early part of the evening in of a disaster from the Beaufort, but that becoming intoxicated he had returned to the vessel, which is lying in the Dock at the foot of street, with the purpose of retiring for the night. About 10 o'clock, however he main made his appearance on dock, and against the remonstrances of some of the crew on board, sallied out in search of the missing man, taking with him a large cutlass belonging to the boat. He afterward arrested an Irishman in no manner connected with the steamer, although be Insisted upon his being the man for whom he was in search, and was on his way with him to Castle Thunder, when, on reaching the alley running between that building from 18th and 19th streets, and parallel with Main and Cary, he was halted by the sentinels on watch. Keene stopped at the word of command, but commenced abusing the guard in a violent manner, which conduct caused them to take him under arrest. By this time additional assistance had arrived, when he was placed in charge of privates John Cotton, of Petersburg, and Samuel T. Rowell, of Southampton county, military guards at the prison, to be conducted into the Castle for confinement. Soon after starting off with them, he drew his cutlass and commenced a stout resistance, but was in a short time disarmed. He then started to run, but had only gained a few steps before both of the guard fired their muskets at him, a moral and ghastly wound. The ball entered the back part of his head, about one inch to the right of the left car, coming out of his left eye, and tearing away in its progress about half of his front scalp.

Keene was originally from Washington city, D. C., but had for a number of years been a resident of this city. He has acted as pilot at different times on board the steamers Schulz and West Point the former of which he left for the purpose of accepting the position of master's mate on board the Beaufort. When sober he was regarded as a good officer and a peaceable man, but when intoxicated seemed bereft of reason.

The jury of inquest, conducted under the auspices of Alderman L. F. Chandler, in the absence of Coroner Sanxay, rendered as their verdict that "Samuel Keene came to his death from musket ball fired at him by privates Cotton and Rowell, in the discharge of their duty as faithful guards of the Confederate States."