Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1863-05-17

lTelegrsphic Correspondence OF the ClnclnnNn Com.
merclal.
The Execution of Spies ON Johnson'a
Island.
SANDusKY, o., May Is.
This afternoon. tho sentence passed upon
William Corbin and T. B. McGTaw, convicted
BY court.martial, at Cincinnati, was executed
on Johnson's Island, the depot for prisoners oi
wsr, near this city. The execution Was strictly
military, none being allowed on the island ex-
cept the soldiery, officers OF the Government
and reporters of the press.
10 the morning the prisoners In the yard were
restricted TO close quarters, and the island
strongly picketed. At l P. M. the battalion
was formed by Captain Linnell, and marched To
the place of execution, on the south side OF the
island, fronting the bay. At twenty minutes
past one the prisoners, securely bound, guarded
by the execution patty, accompanied by their
eacort and chaplain, left the prison, and were
placed In a two-hcrse wagon. seated on cofiinl
the spiritual adviser, Nev. r. McCune, Chap
lain Of the post, sitting between them, and pro-
ceeded to the beach, the band playing the Dead
March.
The battalion formed In hollow square, the
execution party In the center, front facing the
prisoners, Major Pierson and staff on the right.
The proceedings of the court-martial, finding
and sentence were then read by Adjutant Bailey,
after which the Chaplain stepped forward be-
side the condemned, and said:
II an desired by these unfortunate men to
return their thanks to the commander of this
poet, and to all of the men with whom they have
had intercourse, for the kindness and sympa-
thy they have received since their arrival here.
/ am also charged by them to say to all In at
tendance that they die forgiving all enemies
and accusers, and in love and charity with all
men, believing in the gospel of Jesus Christ,
and that they have thus far been concerned
and gained by its truths, that trusting in the
mercy of God, through Chriet, they have good
hope of eternal life."
After an eloquent and fervent prayer by the
Rev. Mr., McCune, the condemned were blind
folded, tho necessary orders we're given by the
Provost Marshal, and at forty minutes past one
COrbin and McGraw paid the penalty of their
acts.
The execution party consisted of thirty. two
men, divided into equads-ialf being q reserve.
The firing was excellent--the sixteen ehots
fred being as that of one man The criminals
fell back upon their cofins, each pierced through
the breast, within circle of few inches, by
twenty five balls and buckshot, and died with.
out struggle. Cofbin did not move muscle,
McGraw gasping but once The bodies we're
then examined by surgeons, and life found ex-
tnct. The troops vera then marched past the
bodies, the band playing the Dead March, thence
to the parade ground and were dsmissed.
The whole proceedings attending the execu-
tion weSe very solemn and impressive, and the
manner in which they were conducted reflects
credit upon the officers and mea having It IN
charge.
Just previous to the execution, the prisoners
handed the Chaplain the following:
al, W. F. Corbin, was born March 8. 1888,
in Campbell county, Ky; Jinod the Masonic
Order at twe1ty-one yasrs OF age;Joined the
Christian Church in my 22i year, at California,
In the same county; was baptized by Elder F..
Sallie, of Brscken county, Ky joined the reb.
el army iu October, 1862; came to Kentucky in
February, 1861 was taken pfi.oler on the
night Of the 9th Of April"
al. T. P. McGraw. was born 10 Harrison coun-
ty, Ky June A, 1929; my father died in De-
cember, 1858. when l removed to Falmouth,
where lived till 1850, and then came to
Campbell county, Ky, where remained till
April, 1862; then vent TO the Confederate
army and was attached to the 5ih Kentucky
Volunteers; ws5 Lieutenant in Co. 6 until
February, 1863, when l was sent by Gen. Mar
shall to recruit company of men for his COM
mand; was taken prisoner Oh the Oh of April,
1863; was not tried by court martial, and sup
posed would be treated as q prisoner; Joined
the Christian Church at California, Ky, in
1856; leave mother and two sisters and a
brother aud friends to mourn my loss, but their
lose is my gain. Prepare to meet me in heaven
freely forgive all men as Gcd, for Chiisfs
sake, has forgiven me-"
By order OF Gen. Burnside, the bodies were
delivered to friends from Kentucky who were
10 attendance to receive them.