New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-09-19
FROM NORFOLK.
4 Military EXcCution-A Double Deserter
shot-Arrivni Of Distingui-hcd Visit

From Our Special Correspondent.
NORFOLK, Va, Sept u. 1868
The extreme penalty OF military law was IN
nictcd this morning upon Private james l. Burnett OF
the llth Pennsylvania Cavalry. Burnett was at one
time a member Of a Georgia regiment and native
believe OF that State About three months ago he made
his way within our lines as a dcsertcr AID was soon
after shipped board of the Tanhoats in this De
parimcni IL lci the naval service surrcptously ard
next made his appearance in Col Spears regiment rs
cavalryman. He did not remain long IN his new %
stion but improved The FIRST opportunity 10 desert An
attempt AZ highway robbery and murder was added Ia
his crime Of dcscrton and be captured and lodged
in jail lie remained in Jail for some time the charges
upon which he was committed not having been mndc
known 10 Major Boyey the Provost Marshal Of the
city Before the Il Of his incarceration was made
known he escaped from prison wen, TO North Carolina
and associated himself with band 81 gucrrllas. ~
wing reckless. desperate life q some days ensuod
when he identified as dcseTter from the Southcrn
service and the bold bad men with whom he herd
ue put him in irons with aview of handing him over 10
tlc Confederate authorities This purpose was fras-
trlted by scouting panty frum tie llth fchnsyl'ania
cas airy who upon tie aacrrias in Gates county
AID captured Purlct g.ih several OF his party. Such
has becn briefly the cycn,tl history Of the young.
fortunate man WHO has c,f 'aiol his deeds TO day.
Tho execution wa conducted by Major ioycy. AMI a
more impressive and solemn scene ! have never w
messed Al the military ,, is section paradcd on tho
occasion and the example afforded cannot have failed
IN the effect intended The place selected for the SD
scene was about a mile fro1 Portsmouth. on large
plain Just within the " nirenched line Tbs prisoner
was taken the spot ~ o-TTiasc preceded ~ pr
ton Of the Proves, Guaris escort ard his executed
crs Major Boycy read the variant ior The c1ccntieu
10 the prisoner Who deeply affected. \ prayer
was made by tie attendant c.crg man and rcn cane
the preparations 81 the doomed for hi. fate A.
Tie banda.e Wls being pa, Cd over H. cycs Do made
request to Major oycy 10 have the aim fuTc. that Ia
,Icrincs might not be prolonged H. then said IN .
loud voice. God Almighty have mercy Oh my
SOUL He then seated himself on hls coffin
AID calmly awaited the fatal shot There was aicW 800
ends wait then the sharp ci,t ~ Tie mgskc, !o'ks
sharp report ald tAc cT.ng sD'ing spirit 81 the cot
damned sped is way to eternity and God Burnett fell
directly back over bic cofia and died without sirug
de The aim had been suHe, and he dropped 20 rest
Many hundreds Of spectator were present including
large crowd Of women Everything passcd over with
io most perfect order and MAJOR Boycy deserves much
vraA.c for tie admirable manner IN which be discharged
his ,uiics Oh the trying occnsion.
Coz. Andrew Of M4ssachaseiis accompanied By
Maym- Gen Foster visited Norfolk yesterday. and r..
,iewod tie negro rcgimcnis stationed near Portsmouth
Tic troop. are IN excellent condition and made really
fine arIeaTance. W W.