From the New York Times, 4/28/1864
ACCIDENTAL SHOOTING AT LIBBY PRISON.
ONE FEDERAL OFFICER KILLED AND ANOTHER WOUNDED.
From the Richmond Enquirer, April 14.
Yesterday morning about 9 o’clock a section of the guard were drawn up in front of the prison loading their muskets before going on duty, and had nearly completed the operation when one of the guard, while capping his gun, let the trigger slip accidentally and exploded the charge. The ball passed through one of the front windows of the prison, struck and slightly wounded in the neck Lieut. O. D. KELLY, of the One Hundredth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and passed through the head of Lieut. G. D. FORSYTH, of the same regiment, killing him almost instantly. The accidental character of the occurrence was corroborated by several witnesses, and it was ascertained upon the examination which was instituted, that the private had lost the use of the first and second fingers of his right hand from a bullet wound in the middle of the hand, received in battle. The body of FORSYTH was properly taken care of, and the wounded officer was placed in the prison hospital for treatment.
The following letter was soon after handed to Maj. TURNER:
LIBBY PRISON, April 12, 1864
MAJOR TURNER – Sir: Lieut. FORSYTHE, One Hundredth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, was accidentally killed this morning by the premature discharge of a gun in the hands of a guard. The officers of his regiment are desirous to send his remains to his widowed mother in Ohio, and request that you will grant the permission; also, that the officers may contribute money to purchase a metallic coffin out of funds in the possession of the Confederate authorities for the same.
Respectfully, E. L. HAYES,
Lieut. Col. One Hundredth O. V. I.
This letter was duly forwarded to Gen. WINDER, who immediately granted the requests stated. The body will be sent down by the earliest flag of truce