The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1863-08-06

ing BY the troops OF this command, which
was painful in the extreme, and one that
will make an impression that will not
soon be forgotten BY the men who wit
messed II. 1t wss the execution Of A. j.
johnson, private Of Company d. 1st
Alabama Cavalry, who was shot this
morning At ten O'Clock, for desertion.--
He deserted on the leth of june last
while on vidstte post, near Glendale,
Miss, and vas caught last Monday in
arms against the Government. He was
tried BY military eonmssion on Tues
day, and sentenced to Be shot, and the
sentence was carried into effect this morn
ing, in presence Of The entire command
this post, consisting Of artillery, cavalry
and infantry.
The troops we're formed into hollow
square with the east front open, making .
line nearly two miles in length, four deep.
formed Just east OF Corinth on q large
level plain. Soon after the troops were
ormed the prisoner was brough. out. be
came in two horse wagon seated on his
coffin with the chaplain that had been
with him oil the time, headed by Dodgs's
silver band playing the Dead March. They
passed afos nd 70 the right, when the
prisoner was taken from the wagon and
marched around tAc entire lime; the Pro-
vost Marshal General of the district st
the head, followed by Dodge's Band then
the prisoners company next, four men
carrying the coffin, then the prisoner and
chaplain followed by twelve men tha,
we're detailed 70 perform the painful task
As be marched past the different regi.
mental bands played the dssd march. /,
was one of most tosching scsnss ever
witnessed. He was . man, j should Judge
to be, about - years Of age; he looked
haggard and eareworn: he was tall and
rather spare built; his features wer.
sharp and thin, and ~ be marched along
his head was bowed upon his breast as il
he fully realized the awful trial be had to
undergo. His dress was very common.
he wore clean white shirt with the col
lar thrown open, an old pair Of blacl
pants, = pair Of shoes and black ha
completed hi> outfit. He marched roun.
the entire Ii lie, but did not seem to TAX
any notice Of anything that was passing
on around him.
Il He was then taken TO the center of th
square, his ocidn was placed upon tn
, ground. and Isupposs {as was not nea
enough to hear)spoks his lsst words. Tn
chaplain then prayed with him for .hor
time, after which he bade the men tina
had him in charge good bye, by shakin
hands; he then took his seat upon tn
coffin; his hands were tied behind hi
back. and blind fold placed over hi
eysa The men stepped to one side, th
twelve men already in position fifteen Q
twenty feet from the man, took aim, tn
signal was given 70 ere and the 6rin
!. Was IN at once, aud the doomed man wa
lsusched into eternity. He fell backward
over the coffin, dead.
| Alas that such things must be. A
though the trsnsgrsssion va. puuishab
; with death it looked hard to see it ca
risd into effect. Bot the service neede
> the example, and thing it could n,
help but have sone effect 90 all who wi
messed it. As he passed on, though,
seemed gathering round which trouble
him. the veins grew visible on his brow
and his lips we're parted a. if with pair
aud he glanced frequently to the cent,
of the square Is II some III he dared y.
meet we're thsrs. go conscious hea
that in the lone paths of this shadow
world hath blessed al light, however din
ly burning, thst broke upon the darkas
Of thy way, number thy lamps Of Low
o tell me now how many eanst thou religl
and blush not At their burning?"
Heseemed young to die such dealt
: and ~ be passed along the soft fair lin,
on his marble brow were life-liks, and Il
thought that the voice Of those pail
lips would soon be silsnced on earth 70
ever, that the light quenched in the clo
ing of those lids would soon open upt
? the unknown realities Of an upknox
world, Was scene 20 impressive that
could not soon be forgotten. What
mystery that men win act 30, this erri,
+ mind it makes within frame Of vArio
power. its infancy is full Of hope and jo
. bu. manhood comes. and in its bose
- sits another spirit stranger, as it seem
= and ~ the spider and honey bee feed