Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1861-12-26
A Deserter Executed.

4
ion on our side during the war, look plac
near Fairfax Seminary, Va, on the 13tl
instant. Spies. and deserters have beel
frequently captured, but heretofore the,
have been treated with remarkable lenia
cy.
On Friday last, private VIM. H. John
son, of the Lincoln Cavalry, was publicl,
shot, having been convicted of desertion
and sentenced to death as the penalty. :
johnson was born in New Orleans, hat
for some time in New York, and enlisted
in August. After bis regiment arrived a
Washington, Johnosn conducted himsel
unsoldiery, and' on the 4th of Decembel
deserted with the intention of going ovel
to the rebels. After getting beyond ou
lines be met a foraging party, under COM
mand of Col. Taylor, who inquired of hin
if be had seen any Yankees about. Sup
posing Col. Taylor's party to be rebels
johnson replied be was deserter from the
Yankees, and stated that he could give
them information Of the position of a par
ty of our troops which they could capture
Seeing the mistake he had made, Col.
Taylor got all the information from John
son he could, then took him into custody
and brought him to the camp. On his
trial by Court Martial the testimony was
conclusive, and showed case marked by
every circumstance of aggravation. Before
his execution the prisoner made written
confession, but claimed that bis object was
to reach his mother and brother in New
Orleans and that the act was the result Of
a sudden impulse. A plea of insanity was
made in his behalf, but medical commits
sion reported him sane.
The evening previous to Johnson's exc
cution the members of his company called
at the guard house, and were admitted in
squads of four to take final leave of their
comarade. An account says.
He stood near the door, often rubbing or
wringing his hands, Then be appeared
considerably affected, being most of the
time in tears. Those whom be knew well
be would address by name, and appear
glad to see, but those ith whom he was
not personally acquainted received me-
chanical shake of the hand. Some would
stumble in, and not recognize him, ask
where is Johnson Others would recog-
nize him Immediately and extend their
hands, some men smiling, others solemn.
"How are you Johnson?" some would say.
81 am sorry for you, old fellow" another
would remnrk 81 mover expected to see
you in such fix as this" "Remember,
johnson, where you are going" "Good
bye; God bless you;" 81 hope God will
forgive you," and other expressions of a
like nature fell from the lips of his fellow
soldiers as they passed. Several put their
hands on his shoulder in friendly man.
ner. One enthusiastic comarade embraced
him, while another said: "Keep stout
heart, my boy, and die like man." The
scene was painfully interesting and affect
ing.
The day of execution was one of bright
sunshine, and ten thousand troops, being
the whole of Gen. Franklin's division, were
present. johnson had been brought up
Catholic, and remained in the Chaplain's
tent until placed in the funeral procession.
The troops fell into line, forming three
sides of aesauare. At p. m. the process
ion reached the fatal field.
The Provost Martial, mounted and
wearing crimson scarf across his breast,
led the mounted cor;ege. He was imme-
diately followed by the buglers of the reg
iment, four abreast, dismounted. Then
came the twelve men-one for each COM
pany in the regiment, selected by ballot
who constituted the firing party. The
arms-Sharp's breech-loading rife-had
been previously loaded under the direction
of the Marshal. One was loaded with a
blank cartridge, according to the usual
custom, so that neither of the men could
possibly state that the shot FROM his rifle
killed the unfortunate man. The coffin,
which was ofpine wood stained, and with
out any inscription, came next, in one
horse wagon. Immediately behind follow
ed the unfortunate man, in an open wag-
on. About FIVE feet six inches in hight,
with light hair and whiskers, his eye
brows joining each other, johnson presnt-
ed most forlorn spectacle. He was dress
ed in a cavalry uniform, with the regula-
ton overcoat and black gloves, He was
supported by Father McAfee, who was in
constant conversation with him, while Fa-
ther Willett rode behind on horseback
The rear was brought up by Company c
of the Lincoln Cavalry, forming the escort.
AS the procession moved, a multitude
outside of the line moved with it to watch
the appearance of the doomed man. He
sat in the wagon, at the left Of the Chap
laip, with his head bowed down and in
clined towards the priest, and they SEEM
ed to be engaged in the holy offices of the
Church. The prisoner never raised his
head, nor was his attention diverted from
the consultations administered by the Rev.
erend Father. or4. ,u,.
Arriving on the ground at half-past
three o'clock, the musicians and the escort
took position little to the lett, 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. The final order of execution
was then read to the condemned.
While the order was being read, John
son stood with his hat on, bis head little
inclined to the left, and his eyes fixed in a
steady gaze on the ground. Near the
.I,,.,r &c tba raod;p,r ono of h is snirifuol ot