The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-12-14

inches in height, with light hair and whiskers, his eye
brows Joining each other johnson most fororn
spectacle He was dressed in cavalry uniform with the
regulation overcoa and black gloves He supported
by Father McAce, who was in constan. conversation
with him, while Father wllett rode behind on horse
back The rear was brought up by Company Of the
Lincoln Cavalry, forming the escort.
Arriving the ground at half past three o'clock the
Musicians and the escort took position little to tho
left while the criminal descended from the wagon. The
coffin placed on the ground and he took his place
side IT, The firing party marched up to within six
PAGES tho prisoner who stood between the clergymen
The following Ana order OF execution was then read to
the condemncd--
IIEADQUA RIERs ARMY or THE PoTOaAC1
WASHINGTON, Dec. IL, 1861
SPECIAL oRDgRs--NO g.
lBeiore general Court Martial OF which Colonel N,
j. Jackson Filth regiment Maine Volunteers Is President,
which convened AT the camp or Franklins division
by virtue OF special order No 1Al from these headquar
tiers 81 November H. 1851 arragncd and tried pri.
waite William H. Johnson Of Company u, First regiment
New York volunteer cavalry. on the following charges
and specilcations:--
Dcserton.
In this, that the said private VIM, H. Johnson, compa-
nyp, First regiment New York Volunteer cavalry, hav
ing been duly enlisted and mustered into the service of
the United States, about tho 2lst day Of August,
1861 and having received pay in the service Of tho
United States, did desert tho said service the
4th day of peceber 1851 from his post picket duty
near Benton's tavern on The Little RIVER turnpike,
in Fairfax county, Virginia, and was on
the Same day arrested while en- his way
70 join the enemy, to which charge and specification
the accused pleaded not guilty." After mature deibc
ration the testimony adduced the Court found the
prisoner as follows
or the specification Of the charge, guilty.
Or the charge, guilty.
And the Court thereupon did sentence him, the said
private Vim. II. johnson, Of company D, FIRST regiment
New York Volunteer Cavalry, be shot TO death by
mn cl,eirp iwD-thirde Of the
sentence.
Tie foregoing proceedings IF the court martial have
been carefully examined by the MAJOR General comment
ing Tie Is marked by every circumstance Of agra
The accused is shown to have entertained Tor
some time, without cause the intention 70 desert Nay
il il is to be believed he enlisted with that intention. He
left his camp the Alb Of december 1867 passed our
lines and meeting with a small body OF United States
forces, whom no mistook for rebels, proceeded to
give them all the information in his power. among
which statement intended TO facilitate an
attack outlying picket belonging to the nationn
army. !.
For simple deseron the penalty is DEATH for deseron
coupled with such rcachery there can be no mercy
The proceedings findings and sentence OF the court mar
tal are confined and private Vim. H. Johnson Company
d, First regiment New York Volunteer cavalry, will ac
cordngly be shot TO death with nussetry on Friday the
18th Of December 1851 At such hour and place the d.
GEO. B. MCCLELLAN,
Major General Commanding United states Army.
HrApprARrERs ALEXANDRIA DIVISION. Tee. IL, 1861.
Brigade commanders viii issue orders Tor tho regimen
adItants read the foregoing orders TO the reai
ments after tho procession shall have halted the
fourth side Of the square. By order.
General FRANKLIN.
While this order was being read Johnson stood with his
hal his head little inclined the LETT and his eyes
fixed in a steady gaze the ground Near the close Of
the reading Of his spiritual attendants whispered
something in his Johnson had expressed desire to
say final words before he should leave this world
appear before his Maker. He conducted close to
he firing party, and in oimost naudble voice, spoke
as fullaws:--
Boys-J ask forgiveness from Almighty God and from
my fellow men for what have done did not know
wtt, doing. May God forgive me, and may the
Almighty keep all Of you from al such SIN
He was then placed beside tho coffin again. The troops
were Witnessing the whole Of these proceedings with the
intesest interest, Then the Marshal and the Chapains
began to pref pare the cplprit for his death. He was
tco weak TO stand. He sat down on the
foot of Inc collin Captain Boyd then bandaged his eyes
witt. white handkerchief. few minutes Of painful
suspense ntery ened while the Catholic clergymen
having their final Interview with the unfortunate man.
All being really the Marshal waved his handkerchief
the sghai and the firing party DISCHARGED the voley
johnson did not move, remaining in sitting pas-
tuse for several seconds. After the rifles
discharged Then nc quivercd little and fell over be-
side bis coffin 10 SIN alive however, and the foar
reserves called complete tho work II was fpund
thar wo Of the firing arty Gcrmans had not discharged
their pieces ana they Immediately put in irons.
hnson shot several lines in tho heart by the first
yocy Each Of the four shots red by the reserves took
eject his head, ard he died instantly One penetrated
his chin another his left cheek while two entered the
brain lust above the LEFT eyebrow He died at precisely
Il quatt tor TO four O'Clock.
The troops then all MARCHED round and each
looked the bloody corpse Of his late comradc who bad
proved traitor to his country.
Tho universal sentiment that he deserved his fate,
and tie example will certainly prove highly beneficial.
When the soemn procession started from the right and
marched through the lane between The double line Of sol
ders tie band OF the First regiment played The
..llead March" in saul As tho cortcge moved
slowly along each rcgimenal bard played with
tnsii!ng effect irgc while Il passing Several hun
drcas Of spectators had gathered upon the outside Of the
sqlarc Many others whohad beard vague reports that
soldier to he snot. hurryin to the Geld ffcm
all quarters foot horseback and in Carriages As
tho procession moved "a multitude outside Of the lice
moved with it to watch ttc appearance Of tie doomed
nan He sat in HE wagon, at thc LETT OF
the chaplain, with his head bowed down and
Inclined towards tho priest, and they
seemed to he engaged in The holy Office Of
The Church TIC prisoner never raised his hcad nor
was his attention diverted from the consultations admins
red by the reverend Father.
The deepest solrmniN pcfvadei the ranks o. The sol
dcrs Tlrrc no lcvity among the crowds oats,de
i proper degree Of sympathy for lie condemned YVES
manifested hut all acqucsced in tic justice Of the sen
ensc.
Among ;he persons outside the lines were several mem
e.s Of Congress and other distinguished civilians II no
tee had bocu given Of the intended exception vast con
course would have been or the fed,
As the escert apprcache the lei Of The division and
,r,cl into tle Acid on tho ope, side OF the square where
the expaon Of to take place The "retchcd
man raised his head ard looked upon the sun Tor The last
,ige The inner line OF soldiers shouGcred arms, faced
inward upon the square and all eyes were rived upon the
unhappy criminal until The FINAL act Of the tragedy was
finished.
During today strong appeals wore made TO The Presi
dent 10 sCop The execution OF johnson on the plea CT his
Insanity Cuwiing TO assumc the responsibility Of ar
res ing the proceedings be referred the matter 10 the
Commanding General who Immediately directed surgi
chi comIni.s,ou TO make tho examination.
,a,..n 1,,.cl