Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-03-28


regiment TO be shot death. AZ surh time sud
place a. the General commanding the Depart
ment Of the Ohio nigh, direct, was carried isio
effect yesterday afternoon at O'Clock. on the
parade ground in the rear OF Burnside Barracks
The time fixed for the execution was known
to but few and vet IL did leak out. and great
many citizens were present There was no rush
or j.m as there would have been had il been gen
erslI, known. but in addition TO the soldiers ON
and OF duty several hundred spectators OF the
awful tragedy were present
The list regiment. which the unfortunate
man belonged. first marched out 10 the parade
GROUND and formed in three sides of a square,
the opening TO the east The cavalry drew up in
line on one side ant a battery OF artillery on the
carrisge. followed by squad of cavalry. was
seen approaching. A coffin was lifted from an
express wagon and placed at the or open part
OF the square, and firing party Of twenty men
took position about twenty PAGES 10 the west of
H. facing east. The carriage drove in and Sher-
III Robinson, the prisoner and two others got out
The officer commanding the firing party read the
finding and sentence of the court. the approval
by the President. and the order Of Gen Wright
Ia carry the sentence into effect between the
hours OF and > o'clock on Friday, the 9th day
March. 1864. and the order OF Gen Carrington
naming the place. and the hour at 3 L. ~
The prisoner appeared firm and composed He
was apparently less affected than those around
him There was nothing defiant or reckless in
his look or demeanor. aud yet nothing to show
that he felt any dread OF the rapid approach of
death. He was rather fine looking man, nearly
or quite six feet high. with a magnificent head
and clear. open countenancc. dark brown hair
and blue ewes. As he stood before the men Sc
lected To execute the sentence Of the law. erect.
and calm, with the thoughtful shade across his
face. no one who looked upon him could keep
back "a pang of sorrow Addressing the soldiers
present he spoke in substance as follows:
He said he stood before them sentenced 10 be
shot To death, and that ia n lew minutes he would
appear before his God. and that il now became
him To tell tie truth. aud he would do it. He had
acted wrong. very wrong indeed What he had
done was unthoughtedly done lie was charged
with being deserter and spy. but he was not
spy. nor had he ever intended TO desert his regi
ment or company. Tie had done what he did for
the purpose of getting out of the service, having
ascertaned that his health would not enable him
20 perform the duties OF a soldier he had been
recently ia military hospital. but from there
taken TO the Jail, where his health was improved
and his health was better nov THAI il ever had
been. He then appea led the soldiers seek
the consolation OF religion. He had stroye none
knew how long with the Spirit. but he felt he was
yet sinner He admorished the soldiers
put off the day OF grace, for religion was worth
more than all the world beside.
He had hoped that his punishment would be
milder one, but he presumed it was necessary To
make example. and if his death would help
the cause. he was willing to sacrifice his lie.
- Tot my will but the Lords will be done" He
freely forgave every body and hoped he would be
forgiven There were those who probably sought
his blood. but he appealed to God to Judge that
he had no malice-,.e forgave all
He placed his hand on his breast and appealed
To the firing party to take sure aim. That was
the spot. He did not wish to linger and suffer.
He said that ever since his sentence he felt sure
il would be carried into effect. and had striven To
prepare for death, and in few brief moments he
hoped to be in heaven.
When he concluded a soldier approached TO tie
his hands behind his back He expressed de-
sire To be lett free. but submitted A black silk
handkerchief was then tied over his eyes and he
seated upon his coffin. He remark ed quietly
that he would like to see DEATH" which were
the last words he uttered.
In moment after by a signal from he COM
handing officer, the twenty rifles cracked, and
Robert GAY fell back across his coffin dead
without struggle Nine balls passed throus h
his breast One ball. it is said passed directly
through his heart. He was raised up and placed
in his cofiin-the band struck up-the drums
beat-the troops commenced moving off by com
panies and the solemn scene over
Some evil disposed persons. whose sole bust
ness il seems to- be tn create uneasiness in the
public mind had circulated reports that a rescue
would be attempted, and the women and children
in some sections of the city were alarmed in con
sequence. Ii is needless to say that no such thing
was ever dreamed of. at least by the Democratic
party. and it only shows to what straits the party
struggling TO keep itself in power is driven for
capital. There a feeling of regret that such
means are necessary to preserve the discipline oil
the army. but that was ALL The whole affair
passed off quietly and with soemnity betting
the occasion, at least so far the ceremonies OF
the parade ground were concerned