Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1862-01-03
Correspondence n. Y Evening Post
A Ebeserter's Fate.
The Executions Of johnson n, Fairms.

William II. johnson, aged 20 years, n mem I
Der Of the Lincoln cavalry, deliberately
drove beyond the picket lines Of our army
Of the Potomac into what he supposed to
be The enemy's eoentry, Fortunately, Col.
Taylor, of the third New Jersey regiment,
who had been on a scout with a small num-
Der OF men, met him and ingeniously en-.
trapped him into full disclosure Of his de-
sIgn Nshieh Was 70 g1rovrs % tis rebels I
and give them many details Of the strength
and position Of our army. hfler hearing
his las,ardly plans, Col. Taylor, whom he
had presumed to be rebel officer, prompt
~ rematded him 10 his camp, where he was
lroned and placed in close co hnement.
On Wednesday, last a court martial was
assembled by order of the commander-in
chief for the trial of johnson. The case
was plain one, and there could be but one
result. The proof Of his guilt was conclu-
siye, and the sentence Of deeth passed by
/ the court was confirmed by Gen. MeClel-
Ian, who said ;--e For simple deserioa, the
penalty is death for deserion coupled with
such treachery, there can de no mercy"
johnson made full confession Of his
crime, His project was to 60 10 New Or
leans, where he was born, and where his
mother still resides, and llien to join the
rebel army. There was story of his IN
sanity, but several competent physicians
made examination, and pronounced it with
out foundation in the truth. On Thursday
night visitors to his prison found him IN
good spirits, and apparently indifferent TO
his impending fate. Friday, at 81 o'clock,
and an expansive field on the Leesburgh
turnpike. near 10 the Fairfax Theological
Seminary. were chosen by Gen. franklin,
10 whose division johnson belonged, as the
lime and place Of his execution. In accor-
dance with military custom he had been or
dered to be " shot to death BY musketryr'
and the entire division, consisting of the
brigades of Gen. SIoeum, Newton and
Kearuey, in all nearly ten thousand men
was to be assembled 10 witness tire sorrow
fal sceae.
The afternoon was heagiiful beyond De
sssiPlst Afiia aud mellow as "a sumnlel
time, the sun and skies eonspired ~ make
the country singalarly cheerful for he sea.
son. The regiments came up IN good order
and were as by magic formed into line. 4
hollow square of some thirty or forty acres
was surrounded by the troops in double col
umn, and the utmost decorum was observed
by all. Shortly after D o'clock procession
Leaded by Capt. Boyd, !be provost marshal
of the division, and consisting Of troop Of
mounted cavalry; twelve execulioners on
foot, wagon containing a coffin, another
with the prisoner and priest, and an addi.
tional company Of mounted cavalry entered
at the right and passed through the entire
Ines--the bands playing the dead march as
! the mournful train moved slowly on. The
prisoner wore Aat felt hat and military
overcoat, and leaned upon the arm of hi,
, coniessor, who was earnestly counselhng
f him. The men chosen 10 act as the firing
party were one from each company in John
on's regiment, selected by lot and armed
with carbnes, Their faces were painfully
solemn, and gave evidence that they kcenly
felt the melancholy nature of the task i'm.
posed upon them.
When the procession had gone the
rounds it filed into the centre of the hollow
square. The GOTTA was removed from the
wagon and placed upon the ground; John
son sat upon it in full view of the entire as
: semblage. The trembling mark OF all eyes,
he was too near the confines of eternity to
be affected by outward circumstances, and
did not lift his head. The priests perform
ed final service. The doomed man ejac-
I ulated few words of confession and warn
ing to his fellow-soldiers the marshal COW
cred his eyes with handkerchief. and eight
men, drawn up at six PAGES, were ordered
to discharge their carbines.
There was breathless silence while the
provost marshal went up to johnson TO as
certain the eject of the shots. Several
bullets had entered The body but life was
not extinct The prisoner clasped his arms
upon hls breast, and his groans were fre-
quent aud terrible For a moment he re-
tanned his sitting position, then fell heavily
across the coffin. Death would probably
have ensued with little delay, bat in order
TO make il certain, the four remaining exc
cuiioners were ordered up, and, levelling
their carbines at his head, literally scattered
his brains on the surrounding sol. a ball
tore one CT his eyes from its socket, another
penetrated his jaws, laceraiing them in
shocking manuer, aud Third dashed ihrc
his heart, letting out its warm blood in
copious stream. Th re was eonvulsive
shudder Of the body, sha,ily con;ortion
Of the face, gasping groan and al was
over. The poor, mutilaied body, from
which every vestiae of life had gone. f-ii