The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1862-07-03
ErOu, .hc fst WISCONSIN Cavalry,

We have been handed private letter fron
4 member of the lst Wisconsin Cavalry, datet
Bloomfield, Mo-. June Sd, with permission t,
publish We make the following extract, de
scriptive of scene we have not before seen al
account Of. The writer, after giving an &C
count of the assassination of Surgeon Greg DRY
continues as follows
I'VE had in prison here three notorious vii
lains, horse. thieves and murderers; two of then
had been Captains of bands of cut-throats, ant
the other one is OF the same persuasion. Fo
several days back they have been very abu
s1ve in their language, and more openly boast
ed that they had killed more than one Uniol
man. This morning at A. o'clock our battal-
lion was drawn up under arms and marched
down some 40 rods, to tree, where, just on,
year ago to-day, three Union men were hung
The limb still bears the marks of the rope tina
put an end to their existence. Our trooI
formed hollow square. In the centre stand:
the great oak. Look what do we see tire,
new made graves, close along side of thret
others, now grass grown, and by their sidt
three rudely constructed collins. Now cas-
your eye upwards to the first limb, and behold
three ropes thrown over at equal intervals
with moses dangling IN the air. Next we see
the prison guard approaching with three pris
oners, with their arms pinioued; this begin:
to lcok omnous. The band strikes up the deaC
march, and presently, the prison guard arrives
opposite the tree. The prisoners had not ye
discovered the fatal gibbet but are conversing
with the guards in a familiar and almost inso-
lent manner. Attention guards file by the
right and left, open order, march ~ The
is prepared for them. A terrible shudder con
vulses their frames, and two of them pie ad fol
life. Oh how earnestly. Spare oh spare our
lives for Gods sake; our wives and chldren's
sake; for our aged parents sake do with us
what you will but spare our lives! Oh let us
have day, an hour, few minutes to prepare
ourselves. TO write a few lines to our friends.
The answer comes from the Major. when
have you shown mercy ?" You cannot mag
| inc, if you have never heard men plead fol
/ biSlI lIfSSJ lOW you WOu!u IeSi. i HOllce all
| of our boys were almost as ghastly as the pris-
| oners, and they looked as though the blood had
| frozen in their veins. One of the prisoners
more brave than bis comrades, stands like q
granite statue. Not muscle quivers, not a
nerve reaxes. We see tear stand in his
| eye. only one. Who can tell the struggle, OF
what it has cost that man TO c1ntrole his ter
rible agony. The Sergeant steps forward and
places he black caps over their heads. The
leith warrants ave read The Major con-
mands, Sergeant, perform your duty! !" A
moment of suspense follows. Oh, how terrible
il must have been to them. ''Reprired for {
time Two dropped down. unable to stanl
up any longer The black caps are taken off
and they are taken back TO their prison, wise
if not better men. / am glad l am done will
he particulars, for it makes me nervous tt
think about it. There is no doubt, however
but two of them will yet have to stretch rope
The health of the regiment is generally good
Mime was never better. William Trvis was
accidentally shot, but is nearly recovered
do not know where we shall move to from
( here, probably further Soath.