Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1813-11-25
NORFOLK, Nov.,fs.

Yesterday the whole army, Ter.
cept those detailed on duty, and the
mariaes from the navy yard. and
frigate Constellation. were drawn
up in the rear Of Fort Norfolk. to
attend the execution of Hillidfb
Proctor, OF the s5tt United States
regiment, illoughby Mtggs aad
Joseph Poole. Of the 9th United
States regiment, and Lsmuel Jack.
sem, of Morgans rife regiment.
Three men had ssyerally been sen.
fenced to death by courts martial,
for the crime OF desertion. The
first named only was executed. At.
ter the execution Of this unhappy
man was over, and bile every eye
was directed to the three survivors
whose fate was considered as fixed,
the aids of tbe genessi arrived. With
an order WI eh suspended the exec
cution of their sentence.
The follow ing is the substance, If
not the words Of tEe general order
issued upon this occasion -
"The army has heard with gener.
obs Indignation Of the desertionS
which have taken place, and which
threaten. by their frequency, to i'm
pair its ,igor and tarnish its fame.
A spirit ui elemescy has hitherto di.
| rected every measure adopted to
correct the mischief. II was be.
lieved that patriotism. military
pride, and a sense # personal ko.
nor. we're sufficient pledges Of The
fidelity of an American soldier. IL
was hoped too, that the nildcst pu.
niskn cpt ouid restrs in tie thought.
less few, who, under tie influence
of some temporary delusion. might
think ofshandoning the standard Sf
their country.
"This hope has proved iIlussry.
The crime has grown under iffl.
punity. till The cheek Of every hos
rorable soldier has been flushed With
shame. at the frequent repetition.
Z" The unhappy man who lies q
corpse before you has thrice desett~
ed, and twice been convicted CT the
crime. A stern but imperious duty
forbade the interpretation ofibe com.
manding general to arrest his doom
The public service, the honor of the
army, required that he should die,
and that it should no longer be
doubtful, whether this offence would
Hereafter pass unpublished. May his
blood expiate his offence, and puri-
fy the army of the contamination.
"Anxious to avert all suffering
not required BY the public good, and
under the persuasion that the affiict-
ing scene which is now passing, will
attain all the just objects cf exam.
pie, the general directs that tie sem
fences against Nillougby Neggs,
Lenuel Jackson. and Joseph Poole,
be suspended.
" To the President Of the United
So ties alone belongs the power to
pardon. In the confidence Of their
future good conduct, the general
will iDtercede in their behalf. and
supplicats the President for forgive
hess.
/" Many persons are Rew undergo
ing punishment for similar and diff
fereDt offences. The con manding
general indnlgesthe hope that they
are convinced Of the improperly Of
their past coDduet, and will gladly
avail themselves Of an, opportunity
to manifest their reformation, by
their future department. This op.
portunity he is willing TO afford them.
HE therefore RENTS all punish.
ments not extending to death, ea.,
shieriug or reduction. heretofore in
fiicted by general courts. martial,
and not yet completely executed.
Saving only the stoppages Of pay, to
reimburse the expenses incurred By
the United Statss.v