Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1863-05-21
SANpusKY. O., May ID.


| SANDusKY, O., May 10.
This afternoon, the sentence passed up-
on VIM. Corbn and r. b. McGraw, CON
victed 10y court martial, Mt Cincinnati,
was executed on Johnson's Island, tho
depot for prisoners of war, near this city.
The execution was strictly military, none
being allowed on the Island except the
reporters of the press.
In the morning the prisoners in the yard
were restricted to close quarters, and the
Island strongly picketed Al 2. NJ.
the battalion was formed Capt. 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 tho execution party, accompanied by
their escort and chaplain, left the prison
aud were placed in two horse wagon.
seated on u coffin, the spiritual adviser,
Rev, r. McCune, chaplain of the post,
sitting between them, and, proceeded
to the beach, the band playing the Dead
March.
The battalion formed ia hollow square,
the execution party in the center, front
facing the prisoners, Major Pierson and
staff on the right. The proceedings of the
Icourt-martial, finding and sentence were
then read by Adj. Bailey, after which the
Chaplain stepped forword beside the con-
demned, and said: Il am desired by
these unfortunate men to return their
thanks to the commander of this post,
and to all Of the men with whom they
have had intercourse, for the kindness
and sympathy they have received since
their arrival here. | am also charged by
them to say to all in attendance that they
die forgiving all enemies and accusers,
and in love and charity with all men, be-
lieving in the gospel of Jesus Christ, and
that they have thus for been concerned
and gained by its truths, that trusting in
the mercy of God, through Christ, they
have good hope Of eternal life"
After an eloquent and fervent prayer by
the Rev. Mr.. McCune, the condemned
were blindfolded, the necessary orders
were 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 thir-
ty-two men, divided into squads-halt
being a reserve. The firing was excellent
The sixteen shots fired being as that of
one man. The criminals fell back upon
their coffins, each pierced through the
breast, within circle of few inches, by
twenty five balls and buckshot, and died
without a struggle. Corbn did not move
a muscle, McGraw gasped but once. The
bodies were then examined by surgeons,
and life found extinct. The troops were
then marched past the bodies, the band
playing the Dead March, thence to the
parade ground aud were dismissed.
The whole proceedings attending the
execution were very solemn and impress.
i've, and the manner in which they were
conducted reflects credit upon the officers
and men having it in charge.
just previous to the execution, thepris-
oners handed the Chaplain the following:
81, w. +. Corbin, was born March s,
1888, in Campbell county, Ky; Joined
the Masonic Order at twenty one years
of age; joined the Christian Church in
my 22d year, at California, in the county;
was baptized by Elder +. Sallie, of Brack-
en- county Ky; joined the rebel army in
October, 1862; came to Kentucky in Feb
ruary, 1868; was taken prisoner on the
night of the Sth Of April"
:, Il, T, Z McGraw, was born in Har-
rison county, Ky, June 4, 1929; my fa-
ther died in December, 1858, when | re-
, moved to Falmouth, where lived till
1880, and then came to Campbell county
Ky, where ] remained till April, 1862: l
then went to the Confederate army and
was attached 20 the 5th Kentucky Vol
untoers; | was Lieutenant in Co. G I'M
til February, 1868, when | was sent by
, Gen. Marshall to recruit company Of
men for his command was taken prisoner
, on the 9th of April 1868; was not tried
by court martial and supposed | would
; be treated as prisoner; joined the Christ
, ian Church at California, Ky, in 1856 :
| leave mother and two sisters and
= brother and friends to mourn my loss,
their loss is my gain. Prepare to meet
me in Heaven. | freely forgive all men
as God, for Christ's sake, has forgiven
me-"
BY order Of Gen. Burnside, the bodies
were delivered to theil friends from Ken
tucky, who were in attendance to receive
them.