, 1861-12-18

FIRST EXECUTION IN THE ARmY.
WIN. II. johnson Shot for Attemntrno
to go over to the EnemY,
INTERESTING PARTICULARS OF TIE SCENE.

washington Cor. u6th) N. Z. Herald.
;, There was an unusual stiffness prevailing all
me morning IN the camps throughout the
whole OF Franklin's division. The import
ance Of the ceremony about to be performed
Aad evidently been deeply impressed On the
mind OF every soldier. Orders for the forma
uon OF the line had been read in every reni-
ment, mem, and every man WIS busy preparing to
attend the execution
johnson remained In the Chaplain's tent m.
~ The hour arrived for him to take his place.
Gne most conspicuous one Of any in the mourn.
~ funeral procession The spot chosen for
ne impressive scene WIS spacious field near
Il ne fnaria2 Seminary, short distance from
ne camp ground Of the division. The troops
tel into line, forming three sides Of square, in
the order designated in the programme. me prc- g.
c1sely at 3 O'Clock p. m.
In the meantime the funeral procession was
formed at the qUarels Of Captain Boyd. Pro-
Tost Marshal Of the Alexandria division, near
the headquarters Of Gen. Franklin, Shortly
after clock it reached the fatal field.
The Provost Marnhh, mounted and wearing
. crimson scarf across his breast. led the
mournfnl cortege. He was Immediately fol-
lowed By the buglara Of the regiment. four
abreast, dismounted. Then came the twelve
men-onc from each company in the regiment.
selected by ballot-who Constituted the firing
party. The a1ms-Sharp's breach-loading
rifle had been previously loaded under thee
direction Of the Marshal One WIS loaded
with 3 blank cartridge, SO that neither Of the
men could positively state that the shot from
his rifle killed the unfortunate man. The
co1an,' Which was Of pine wood, stained, and
horse wagon. Immediately behind followed
the unfortunate man, In an open wagon.
About five feet SIX inches in height, with fEht
hair and Whiskcrs, his eyebrows joining each
other, johnson presented most for1or1 spec
tacle. He was dressed in cavalry uniform,
u ha 1fa+f NJ ~
He was supported by Father McAfee, who was
in constant conversation With him, while
Father Willett rode behind on horseback.
The rear was brought up by Company G Of
the Lincoln Cavalry, forming the escort.
o,11rc, A1II1,ving on the ground at ha1fpast three
position little to the left, while the criminal
descended from the wagon. The coffin was
placed on the ground, and he took his place
beside it. The firing party was marched up
to within SIX PAGES Of the prisoner, who stood
between the clergymen.
When the solemn procession started from
the right and marched through the lane be-
tween the double line Of soldiers the band of
the First regiment played the " Dead March,
in Saul. AS tue eortcge moved slowly along,
each regimental baud played with thrilling ef-
i isct dirgc while it was passing: He sat in
ellned towards the priest, and they seemed to
be engaged III the holy offices Of the Church,
Tue prisoner never raised his head, nor was
his attention diverted from the consultations
administered by the reverend Father,
Ihe deepest so,llemnity ,l peryaded the ranks
Of the soldiers: There was no levity among
the crowds outside. A proper degree Of sym
Pathy for the condemned was manifested, but
all acquiesccd in the justice of the sentence,
The order for the execution was then read.
One paragraph Of if sets forth:
The case is marked by erery circumstance Of
agGrayation. The accused is shown to have enter
tained for eome time without cause, the intention
to desert. Nay, II it is to be beieYed he enlisted
with that intention. lie left his camp on the 4th
Of December, 1851, passed our lines, and meeting
with large body Of United States forces, whom he
mstook for rebels proceeded to give them all the
information i'll his power, among which was 1
statement intended to facilitate an attack on
an outlying picket belonging to the national
army.
For simple desertion the penalty is death; for
Gcsertion coupled with such treachery there can be
no mercy.
The proceedings, findings and sentences Of the
court martial are confirmed, and private VIM, II.
johnson, Company D. first regiment New York
volunteer cavalry. will accordingly be shot to
death With musketry, on Friday the 18th Of Decem-
ber, 1861: at such hour and place as the division
commander NAV 3esipnate