Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1863-01-29

MILITARY ExRCCrIoH.-The army correspondent oil
the Charleston Courier, writing from Kinston in this
State gives lie following account Of military execu
tor which to,n place there last wcpk
K1ssrJs, \. G.. Jan. H. SOS
Slice ml last tie m0nOt0ny Of Kinson life has been
relieved by ooe OF those terrible incident army
organ zlon and unfortunately too frequent
eDce--a military execution. y morbid curiosity Ia
seek aid 1ltuts3 whatever ia revolving, ia to
all nature; that have been hardened ky the associations
of camp and accordingly when rourrfu oortege coz
sstiDg at a rude wagon drawn By pair OF mules, sad
looking prisoner with bis hands tied behin him. and
dozen troopers gnlrd passed through the streets
it gathered in It's train motley crowd OF black
and white who followed IL procession to the place Of
ecutiOD.
The name Of tie cupsit was Michael Bryant OF tie
63d Regiment OF North Carolina Cavalry his age,
about thirty six and bis offence, dtsertion-no how
ever to tie ranks OF the emtrly. Arrested he was
duly tried by Cont Martial, and it being necessary
that an example should be made to cbeck growing
evil 10 the army, he sentenced to be ehot to death
1t not u1t the morning OF his execution that the
poor fellow became aware OF the day or hour that
TO terminate his career but he had evidently been pre-
pared for the crisis and when the fact announced
it fell upon a heart nerved to brave death come in
what shape it might And this composure never left
him.
Reaching the place of execution which was in field
adjoining the encampment of bis old command the cor
tege halted in front OF ominous looking black coffin,
behind which q stake. The guard aighted, and
the prisoner strong and buoyant be the least
among the actors of the drama also leaped lightly from
the vehicle and took bis seat upon the box that
was go soon to enclose him forever An officer then
advanced and bound him by the arms firmly with his
oack to the stake. | now had opportunity of OBJ
servny the prisoner closely. He was clad 10 an
every day suit OF citizens clothes with his pantalooDs
careeey tucked in the top of bis boots, and he sat
there watching the for the tragedy look
ing upon the faces OF his old comrades with whom be
bad been associated in camp and field, alone and help
less with the agony of death near, and eternity al
ready opening his vision the acutest observer would
have failed to detect the aintest indications OF renor
on bis person. Stern, strong, calm statue be wait
ed until the regiment, ioot, was filed into position
before him.
After lapse of six minutes came the squad OF
twelve who were to his executioners and stood
twelve PAGES distant. The Adjutant of the Regiment
then read the verdict of the martial his DONE
one OF the guard approached to tie handkerchief
tie face of the prisoner. Then for the first time, did
notice anything in his bearing which seemed to indicate
that be was not already totally dead to feeling A
glance of his eyes the Heavens if be was invok
ing Divine mercy barely perceptibe change of coun
tenaLce and expression of unuttereoe sadness told
Of fearful struggle that was going on within. A mo-
mens pause and the ofcer 10 command, in low tone,
gave the order, Ready aim Twelve rifles six with
blank cartridges bearing the prisoner heart,
and the click of the twelve triggers lefr bat second
between the Ms and dsath) 6rs!"