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


seccssonss they asked him questions about the posi-
lion of forces. pckets &C. he answered them sup
posing tina, would be the best way for him to get through
the secession lines this confession was entirely voluntary
tho part Of the prisoner there threats nor in
dncements held out TO obtain IT, simply asked him If
he kne what he had DONE he replied that he did but al
this time he did not realise what lie about did not
think Of tho penalty; said he would never do
again; think he is capable Of judging between right and
wrong the articles Of war have been read To my com
pany and aiser the order issued specifying certain
ARTICLES they We're read particularly; To his general
cha 'acter previous 10 this affair have had any
thing 70 accuse him Of the question above II he knew
what he had done, was asked BY Colonel NcReyhods IN
my presence.
Colonel George w. Taylor, being duly sworn, ssys'
am in command Of the Third New Jersey Volunteers; Ire
eognse Die prisoner he told lie had deserted from tho
United states service had been watching the OPP
Iortunty since he had been here; this
or about the Sd 4th of December inst the old Brad
dock road, on the right bank Of the Aceotink had
sal scouting party Of bttyve men under my command,
and was out 70 intercept Of the enemys cavalry
about six and half miles this side Of Fairfax Court
House had my men hailed and hid in the woods jast s
We were starting TO 50 on our journey tho prisoner rode
ih-we were then moving towards FairiaZand beckon-
ed TO me; Went 10 hun; he said Capain yon hnyc
command q this party; had on soldier cca at inc
time; Then he added, "what are your said who are
your lie said be belonged to the Lincoln cavalry says
he You belong TO the other site;'' SAID "Yes;n sad
he, "Give your hand:f gave him my hand; he
wanted further about my being all right
told him certainly" then no said. ~ have been
watching or an opportunity to join you ever since Isnve
been ont here adding that his mother lived in
| New Orleans, and no was very anxious to
/
he would be allowed to visit his mother before entering
tho service, then called up NeWberry my principal
Scout and when no came up 70 us said "Newberry,
here one ef them TO Join US. ut tile same time
giving HIM TO understand that there was SQUEEZING up;
alter some familiar conversation Nowberry asked him
what Kind Of pstos their cavalry used; be thon handed
his pistol 20 Newberry, who after examining % hauded
il @ me- ccked the pistol, pointed IT at tbs prisoner
told him 10 ~ mount and take Of is arms, which he
did with the assistance Of three others who then
! up examined his pockets FOR papers; oaRd
| thing but newspaper and Union song hook; then
IN, hfg
wards The enemy when arrested: he inqnlred It that
III, right road % Fairfax and iehe would have any dim
Guilty il passing pckets meaning the secession pick
cts toit nm no; we were only ptReIlns aDoal mie
and lf This side OF the Court H0use and that he would
have no difficulty in getting through lie seemed 20 b. N
hurry 10 70 on told him 1--WE had out il
couid m8kJ & te haul, and wanted him to tell
whore the cacmy,hat is. the Union troaps--Wero; he
sand, our cavalry have Jst gone IN, but the moun 81
rifles were all over The NIL around that white house
pointing 30 Dickens house between the Little river PIKE
and }raadock read and near Ravcnswtot: heard
afcgwa,d that the rites were stationed there
n that tmc; the pistol capped when took ii FROM
the prisoner ihjs was ia Fairfax coanty, Virginia the
prisoner mounted and armed with pistol snd sabre
Wich arrested, and w;s about mile AMI quarter be-
You'd our Inc o. pcse's ne appeared 10 be intelligent in
asking and answering Uaas lions
Lieutenant James !. IaHy. beng day sworr, says
belong TO he ist New iork cavalry; frs, Lieu
tenant OF Company CT Acting Captain 81 Company b
formerly Second Lieutcnan, o Company know the
prisoner: he belongs Company regiment was
Formerly Known rs tho Lincoln Cavalry the pris
absent from tho camp without leave different times
when belonged TO IL: he in tho h. bit going away
after tattoo and coming back BY reveile.
Sergept Russe ?. Forkcy benz. duly sworn says-I
belong to Comnany Il First New York cavalry know the
prisoner was out picket dnty December A. 1851 on
the Little river pike, in command Of squad OF the
prisoner was one OF my squad gave ni'n the colonel
IN N antfy rcgneht % IN orderly he came back To
the post with the Lieutenant Colonel and then bucked
BIS blanket on his saddle and sad he all right then
told the men 90 10 water two At time the prisoner
aud private Mansfield wsnt that is the last have seen
of the prisoner Lntil to-day.
Private John Mansfield being duly sworn, says
belong 10 Company X Frst NV York cavalry know
the prisoner; was out picket iccemher 1851 on
the little river Ike The prisoner AMI went toelher 10
water our horses about half-pas p M. / poae
about half an hour left him at the Of thu rois
a, inandalo 10 60 70 fam house about fifteen rods
wait Tor until back did not scs the pr,
soner when came back locked for him. BIT coul
ma hn theie We're Three lnlanes OF mo- nteG riiemen
there when came bacSih the Lincoln Greens; have not
seen tie prisoner SINCE until now
Lieutenant Samuel {. Sprange, being duly sworn.
says II am Adatant o. the First New York cavalry
formerly called the Lincoln cavalry know the prisoner;
knew hm 10 be a member oil our regiment know OF
his beng mustered into the United States service on or
about tho twenty llst lay of August l3Gi present
when ne mastered the description roll him as
coming from Pennsylvania the time 81 his muster lie
asked for pass % 70 70 AeNanrn Gay two before
his alleged dcserlin which refused
The Court, having maturely considered the evidence
Company D. FAST regiment New York Volunteer cavalry,
rs follows
D. u Specification OF the ehsrge-gulty
o. the Gharge-ga,ty.
And the Court do therefore him. the said nr
vate WA. H. johnson, Of Company D. First regiment New
Yoek Volunteer cavalry be Shot to death BY uskcty
Fwo-hfds of the members Of tue Court cnncurrig.
y. 4. JACKSON
Col Filth reg Maine Volunteers and Press o. the Court
capt. Twenty seventh n Y v. Judge advocate
hgslQC.RrRs AssY or q.iE po1oMAc,l
WASHINGTON, Dec H. 1861. I
The foregoing proceedings ere confirmed, IN SAID
Vim. II. hnson, private Or Company D. First regiment
New York Volunteer cavalry, viii be shot > death "a
Friday tile thirteenth day December. 1861 at sch
pfE
GkO. II. MCCLELLAN.
Naor General; commanding Unrea state Array,
Yesterday afternoon thu cgprit was called from the
guard horse into TIE Provost tlarsha tent. Canaia
Boyd then read to him the ending Of the cort ,bc
sentence signed by General Mcclellan tbt he must lie
shot the time having been designated by General Frank
lin as Friday Afternoon nj three O'Clock.
johnson did manifest he slightest signs Of diacon
rosure the lie did not then seem 10
realize that it tho sealing OF his fate The Captain
told him his end near and al the advan-
tagea which his peculiar situation REQUIRED would
be cheerfahy extended Johnson was asked wbothlr
he had any friends whom he would with
to have visit him. At Grst he said he had none
whom nc could see, his father hen. lead and hs mogber
and brothers living IN New Orleans Afterwards he
said tAere was enc man lie would Ike sec Nv JOIN r.
bryant, whose address in Washington he gave Ag.
Bryant. be said, had been connected with ,bc pi,d
dollars, which constituted his portion If The prze
money accrung from tho capture OF the SLAYER Nghtn
gale and that The way lie became acquainted With
HIM. An orderly Immediately sent for Mr.
Bryant With a horse and pass, together with
note stating that Johnson was sentenced 10 b.
ho, at lhroe O'Clock Friday, and desired % see him.
Nj. Bryant Is about forty ave years of age and
lawyer by profession. he said he coula not ssbIy
see Johnson bet he sent him the following note
WAsuSGTos Cry, Ilec 70 1851
Sn-l ncurnfuliy Frst 10 hear your preeent con
dtion, AMI would, were !, N my power, vo
at such visit would not b8 If any adNata u Won
and would be painful me. Besides my bo, " heath
prevents my riding II you have any message 10 youy
friends you may wish me to forward Wlt ia so with
much pleasure, Il you viii give the proper address
aud my doing "a approved OF Nesy respectfully yner
obedit servant, JOHN y BRYANT
To Wa. II. JOHNSON, Camp l'nroy, Va.
was with johnson when he read the above com,nupi
cation. he read /, with The Indifference with which
he listened his death He did not exhibit any
disappointment having opportunity for an ner.
view with the only friend lie expressed desire 70 see be-
Ia nynthpr