From the Richmond Dispatch, 12/3/1862, p. 1, c. 4

Soldier Shot. – Yesterday, about 11 o'clock, a soldier, named B. R. Minter, belonging to Company "B," 18th Virginia Battalion of Artillery, was shot through the head at the military prison, corner of 6th and Cary streets, by Wm. Phillips, a member of the President's Guard, on duty at sentinel at the time. It appears that the inmates of this prison comprise some most abandoned characters, who are in the habit of insulting ladies and others who have occasion to pass the place. This became so intolerable a nuisance that by order of Capt. Booker the windows were boarded up half way; but these boards being pulled aside, the practice of spitting on people, and applying opprobrious epithets to them, was pursued with increased vigor. Strict orders had been issued for the sentinels to compel the inmates to keep their heads within the windows, and conduct themselves properly. Yesterday, during Capt. Booker's absence, Minter commenced abusing and spitting on the sentinel for telling him to put his head in. The command being repeated the usual number of times, the man raised his piece and fired, the ball passing in between his eyes and coming out of the top of the skull. He lingered several hours and then died. Minter was a native of Fluvanna, and came from near Columbia, in that county.

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