The Daily Dispatch: December 29, 1863., [Electronic resource]

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Assaulting a negro.

--John D. Perrin, one of the city police, was before the Mayor yesterday to answer the charge of violently assaulting a negro boy on Christmas morning. Perrin saw a party of negro boys firing pop crackers in the street near St. James's church, and, as was his duty, started to arrest them. The boys, on seeing the officer, fled from him, and he, to frighten them, started in pursuit, and threw his cane at one of them. Unfortunately for the officer, the cane accidentally struck one of the lads on the back of the head and knocked him down, apparently killing him. Instead of taking up the boy, and doing what was necessary to restore him, Perrin became alarmed, fled the city, and went to Hanover county. Had he remained at his post, and thus shown that the blow was accidental, the matter would have passed by as soon as the boy recovered, for no one could have supposed that Perrin designed any injury to the child. When the case was called, the Mayor postponed the examination until to-day, and held Perrin to bail for his appearance in the sum of $300, at the same time suspending him from duty till the investigation is had.