The Express.
London, England, 1864-07-08 00:00:00

FOURTEEN DESERTERS SHOT.

The South Carolinian, of May 24, recorla the
executioa of fourteen Oonfederates at Dalton for desertion.
A correspondent who witnessed the affair ear.:—" When I
arrived on the ground I found the division of Major-Gene-
ral Stevenson drawn up in lines, forming three aides of •
hollow mars. In front were tartan stakes, with a °plait
at the foot of each, and ia the rear of than, a keg line of
yawning graves. In a few minutes after ear snivel, four
*soma containing the unfortunate men ekd slowly
through the lines, and approached the fatal spot. The
men, with one exception, approached unmoved, and calmly
looked atoned as though they were usceeniens el the far.
fal end which they were approaching. By direction of
General Reynolds they were drawn up la lies, and • number
of chaplains approached them sad besought them to give the
few remaining moments of their lives to prayer, wb;ch
wee followed by the reading of the 23rd Palm, and an
eloquent prayer. which affected the primers very much.
(hoard Reynolds then asked them if they had anything to
say, and addressed them in an impressive maser for • few
minutes. Two of them said they had so intention of de-
eating the service ;ea said he was oat off from ids com-
mend at Mission Ridge, and did sot know where to go, and
so watt home ; the other mid be deserted on amount of hie
family. Several of their regimental and company °Soars
mow came forward and bid them farewelL The men, with
one exception, were very excited, several hr ring lost aloes-
trol of their feelings. General Reynolds turned to than and
said, "May God have mercy on your souls," sad
turned hastily away. The guard stepped for-
ward, and, taking each one to • stake, tied
them fast, and then boned a cloth over their
eyes. All began to pray, and some were shouting and
dapping their hands. The shooting detail, consisting of
LIO men, were marched in front of them, sod an °Mar
stepped aside and mired a handkerchief ; then the =Moos
clickizieorf4the looks was heard, which thrilled through the
ued caned the unfortunate men at the stakes to
redder and tremble as though • galvanic battery had been
applied to each. One moment, and a hundred tuba are
levelled at their kraut& We bold oar breath in auspeose,
' end • sickly fainting feeling takes pemmican of us. While
our eyes are riveted cm the handkerchief—the fall
of which is to mod these men to en untimely
and dishooottred gave—the oMasr turns from the cos-
downed to the detail, hurries along the line, drops
the handkerchief, and tarns away. A ragged volley, fol-
lowed by straggling shots, and two of the tan are lifeless,
others are sereennieg in their agony, and Imploring and be-
seeching the men to finish the work so badly date. A few
straggled to a half-reclining-panties, snap by the rope
which coofioed them to the slakes, and expired. A young
soldier rushes up to shoot • poor wretch who is (ryas is
agony for death, and presents hie gun, but, sickened with
the horrid sight, tura away, then wheels, adwheels, quickly aim.
leg his gnu, sends • ball through his breast. At tut the
prevail goad arrives, sad &spindles the few who were yet
struggling. With a sad, sickened heart I turned away, sad
Gym after 1 bad mounted my horse I heard a shot fired at
some poor Wow who had hawed tan or fifteen minutes."

THI EXPLOSION AND Loss OF LIP'S wT TUNBRIDO/L
—Ol Wednesday evening, about halt-past seem o'clock,
the inhabitants of the town of Tunkeidge wee* startled by
• shock as of as amiliquaks. Windows were brokea, dishes,
M., shaken off their shelves, wed before time for thought
had passed a cloud of smoke in the direction of the powder-
mills marked the mesa. Hundreds at mem for the
seem of the explosimand a met harrowieg specked" theme
presented itself. That portion al the mill where
the claims is tarried os had bees News up,
and three persona, • man aged sad two
lads, brothers, one "Oboes sad the other sixteen. were
killed, while mother man who was loading • best Irmo the
mall bad his arm blown of, but it is hoped be is mot Wally
injured. A portico of am body wee Mew. serer a Aoki
some hooarea yards off, while be.. end there lay pate of
limb charred sod scarcely reeogaimble as haw* formed
portions of a human body. One pow fellow nemed Mer-
chant received a aware contualos es the shoulder frees as
!roe bolt, which would bare struck, and doubtless killed, a
little child who was playierg sloes by WI lM set severed it
with kis arms,