Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-02-16

has hitherto directed every measure adopted 90
correct the mischief. IL believed that pa,ri-
o ISM military pride, and sense of personal hon
Or were sufficient pledges Of the fidelity of an a.
MEXICAN soldier. TWAS hoped, too that the mild
est punishment would restrain the thoughtless few
who, under the influence OF some temporary delu-
non, might think OF abandoning the standard OF
heir country.
This hope has proved illusory. The crime has
grown under impunity till the check OF every
| honorable soldier has been flushed with shame a,
the frequent repetition.
| The unhappy man who lies a corpse before YOU
mas fhTice deserted, and twice been convicted Of
the-crime. stern but imperious duty forbade
the interposiuon Of the Commanding General 10
arrest his doom. The public service the honor OF
the army, required that he should die aud that il
should no longer be doubtful, whether this offence
would hereafter pass unpublished Nav his blood
explate his offence, and purify the army of the
contamination
Anxious TO avert all suffering not required by
the public good. and under the persuasion that
inc aiilicunS scene which is now passing, will
a.'an all the Just objects OF example, the General
directs that the sentences against Nilloueh, y,
! MegSs, Leinucl Jackson, and Joseph Poole be SttS-
/, Pended 10 the President Of the IT, = alone be-
longs the power TO pardon. In the confidence oil
their future good conduct, the General will inter
efe III thclr behalf and suppc0te the President fol
4 forgiveness
Many persons are now undergoing punishment nj
| ior similar and different offences. The Command.
"S "eheral INDUCES the hope, that they are con-
WINGED OF the improperly of their past conduc and
VIII gladly avail themselves of any opportunity tC
manifest their reformation, by their future deport.
ment This opportunity he is willing TO afford them
lie therefore RENTS all punishnents not extending
70 deatn' cashiering reduction heretofore inct-
ed by General Courts Martial, and not vet COM
peteiy executed. Saving only the stoppages of pay
10 reimburse the expences incurred by the u S
| ROBT B, TAYLOR,
| Bridadier Gen'l Commanding.
HEAD QUARTERS, Nov. IL, 1918.
ne above order was read to the assembled ar
I tor.
HT'f6ct OF dtetfer TO The Secretary Of Var, dated
HEAD QUARTERS, Nov. 10, 1913.
! Sr enclose copies of the proceedings of a
| court Martial in the case of Willoughby Meggs,
JOS. Fool * Lemuel Jackson, and of the order sus-
pending their execution.
-FOUR were sentenced to die on the same day.
nave every reason to believe, that the effect pro-
duced by the execution of VIM. Proctor will arrest
the desertions which had BECOME so common, az TO
| make an example necessary. Meggs was, when he
enlisted, a husband and father of children His
children have died, and his wife to her other dis
tresses, adds very great poverty, and understand
considerable sensibility. The two others are young
men, oil good conduct till the deseron; which there
Is reason to believe instigated by former SER
| geani OF their company. They are very penitent.
l pray you, Sir, TO solicit the President of the IT,
| ,. to pardon them. L would not make the request
II believed the public service would suffer by
I their escape.