The New York herald., 1862-12-13
Or Hilton Hs.a C.rr.sps.as.es.


money amounting two hundred and sixty eight dolla-s
To such degree did his continued peccadoe annoy the
rebels that they at length returned him 70 Of
gnnboas in the ST. Marys river and gave him back
for punishment. He alter arraigned before q
court martial at ST. Augustine and convicted of the
lowing Charges
en soned a, Fenanana p a. nn,e e ma Maine "sssg sg
crime committed did desert from The United States
army aud 90 TO the enemys lines without and
Arn fafns TINS at fefnAhdinA f' on Or about the h Of
~, @ WMMgnWoy 0 alton this that
ment near the railroad bridge called Lotion the railroad
from Miss Ellen Manning money to the Of hun
ma, Fla, on or about the 9th Of April, 1862.
Probably military tribunal which has assembled
during this war has been composed Of officers fair
trea Col nel Alfred H. Terry then Of the Seventh Con-
necticut regiment, but brigader general Of voun
teers, was president Of the court Being found guilty.
the following general order explains his iate:-
GENERAL oRDERs-No. 56
HEADQr ARrERs, DEPARTMENT TUE SoUrH,l
HILT0S HEAD, PORT ROYAL. 5. G. Nov. "a, 1862. (
Private William w. Lunt Company l. Ninth regiment
Naine Volunteers, having been convicted by general
and sentenced be shot, and the having been ap
proved by the President of the United states the
win be carried into execution in presence Of the forces
impaired TO Brigader General Terry November 49, 1862
BY command Of Brigadier General j. NJ. ERANNAN.
Lots j. LAMBERT, Assistant Adjutant General Tenth
The finding of the court were first pro.
mugated in general orders No. 10, dated May 49, 1862
by General Benbam when in command Of the Northern
district; but the proceedings by him referred TO
Gen Hunter The latter allowed the matter 10 rest, until
in accordance with the provisions Of an act Of Congress
passed in July last the referred to the Presi
dent for final decision. 10 is but little than fort
night since the of President Lincoln directing that
the be carried effect, was received by
General Brannan, and Monday, December at
liked upon rs the day of tho execution.
" hen the certainty OF his fate became known to the
condemned man he war IN all respects, think, 9 Of
the most depraved wreiches Of whom it is possible to
conceive. Up TO that time he had been confined in a cell
in the Grip Raps," as the provost guardhouse is
famiiarly termed; but, in der that he might the
Marshal, assigned him to tent, which he occupied by
himself up to the morning Of his execution. For some
days even after the preparations for hs melancholy fate
had been commenced he spoke lightly OF them In his
depravity he made them the subject Of b jokes and
with regard 10 his destiny proiessed an indifference
which armor against o. dinary sympathy. The
faithful services however Chaplain Butts the Forty.
seventh New York, and Of Chaplain Hill, OF the Third
New Hampshire were not long in enectng change in
the mental condition OF the unhappy and through
their kindly mnistratons he led believe that he
had interest in Christ to feel that his had
forgiven and to trust in the completeness Of his prepara
tion for death and fJr eternity.
This morning, AT the request Of the unfortunate man.
visited him at his tent. He wanted to say to that
while he protested his innocence OF the crime OF de-
sertion he was yet willing to die as warning TO others.
Upon my ., expression OF .;s surprise a: 50 smga
had he been ready to die and that he considered far
better to leave the world while he was prepared and be
fore he should have added anything further to his long
list o. crimes. That might communicate tn 10 the
pubic, he gave me some incidents IN his career. They
convinced that his whole life had been Of reckless
crminaly and that the under which he rested
was not UNJUST He bo IN the State Of Maine, o,
respectable aud weto do parents; but tring at early
age Of the restraints ol home be away to link his
fortunes with circus company. Here he formed
Citations and acquired habits which led him into many
dculties until at length he convicted of horse
stealing and endured term in the State prison,
which he released bit few days prior his enlist
ment His conduct in the regiment up 70 The time Of his
part OF his fellows.
Within the past week Iunt has written narrative Of
what no calls "the great tragedy" II Is simply an
deavor to the OF his guilt upon his superior
oilicer, whom he charges with having sent him on
an improper errand II has an abundance OF unneces-
s.ry words; but they are not 1T for publication.
The last paragraphs that he psnned however,
are given herewith, in compliance With his wish. With
It's orthography and punctuation corrected this is the
document ne handed me. as bade him farewell
H,sroy Hs.D, ,.,. e G., Dee. !, 1862
S.
s ss he aSa :s T
New York rsdsn FER the tndns.. they have ;h:.a .
I. er powrr nd hey % bsah. me tracts = e and re
dod help and sustain he
. ~ os s.. b. M 1Ss
FRIENDS here At war win be going home e hsr smss
The real name Of the unfortunate man differs, a. win
be from that under which he enlisted and was con-
tions spending the hours till three clock this morning
IN prayer and In listening 10 the reading Of the Scriptures
Apparently much rereshed and dressed himself FOR the
gloomy ceremony In which he was 60 play 80 fearful
part Shortly before eleven O'Clock he led from
his tent, and walked unaidcd toward the ambulance
which was carry him TO his grave lie tho usual
army uniform with the exception Of low crowned black
felt hat, beneath whose broad brm his features found
shelter from the gaze of the curious multitude
his frm step, his calm, undaunted eye hts unmovcd
features he betrayed nahng of the emotion for which
fhmV1 n no tha htata
and seated himself with folded hands, upon his cofln
Tho firing party, consssg OF twenty.for men of the
Provost Guard under Captain Eddy took their places
around the ambuance escort Of forty from the
Forty seventh New York preceded " behind IL were
the representatives OF the press the religious attendants
of the unhappy man, and the surgeons whose presence
required at the na To the measured beat OF
mufed drums the solemn cortegc moved. The prisoner
alone seemed unagtaied by emotion With his check
calmly resting on his hand, he quietly met the scrutiny Of
the crowds who pressed forward eager 10 catch glimpse
of his features. There for the crimes he
had committed: sghs for the life with which he was
TO part no emors apprehension as TO the fate which
awaited him. His whole manner was that Of man
utterly resigned ~ his destiny.
The spot selected for the execution was an open hsh
outside the intrcnchments, about quarter Of mile
Terry was drawn UP in line, the sank battdions
being whesled inward, thus forming three sides
,os.h.r Win many y, other Ser prominent ocsrs we're we're
stationed, and opposite this point the procession
halted. A. . sign from Captain Eddy the condemned
and the prisoner took his seat upon Then while the as
semtlaEe listened with uncovered heads, Lieut. GalIaher,
Adufht the Provost Guard, read the death warrant
Of the doomed Az he concluded Major Van Brunt
addressed the prisoner informing him that nothing now
remained but TO carry oN the sentence Of the military
tribuna but that few moments yet spared 20 him
in which no was at liberty TO make such remarks he
saw az. After moments hesitation the prisoner rose
slowly TO his feet and loeAng around upon the military
array, exclaimed
Fellow soldiers, want you all 70 take warning by
me, and seek the Lord before II s too late. am not
guilty sf the crime charged with, and for which
have been condemned TO death.n
Everything now ready the last sad scene. The
prisoner compliance with Major Van Brunts request,
removed hls hat and coat and knct upon his coln With
white bandage the sunlight forever shut IRON his
ey o. Chaphins rutts and Hill, TO whom he again pro
fcssod mia Willingness die took kindly leave Of him, aud
vim IN. Provost M,rshal he txchangcd last fare
veil Calmly folding his hands, hc awaited the
t,v,S, messengers ~ doath. A. signal from
la Provost Marshal 10 |" make ready" the clear.