The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1863-07-01
Army Correspondence.

Army correspondence.
MuRFREEsBoRo, Tenn, June 81, '63.
Dear Times One reason why l do not
write oltener to you is, the great dearth of
stirring events; but for fear that the war
correspondent Of your valuable paper, from
this section Of Dixie, may be thought as
one Of the things Of the past, will write
to keep you posted in measure about
some of the proceedings of the army of the
Cumberland
Within the past three weeks we have
witnessed the execution of three murderers
and one deserter. The murderers were
accused of robbing an old citizen of this
county, then cutting out his tongue so that
he could not tell Cf their crime. They left
him, but remembering that he could inform
by writing, they returned and killed him
in barbarous manner. One was hung on
Thursday. A trap door was rugged at the
back end Of a Government wagon, the
prisoners, with two chaplains sat beside
the collins, six sergeants, armed with
swords, and all drawn by six beautiful
cream colored horses, constituted the prin-
cipal feature in the scene. Before them
regiment marched to solemn tune, and
also regiment brought up the rear Ar.
irving under the sal!ows, prayers were
offered up by the Chaplains, the black caps
drawn over their faces, and the door fell,
sending two souls into eternity suddenly
and with but little preparation.
Yesterday a deserter was shot in Gen.
Rosseau's division. The various sgiments
and batteries were formed in what is called
three sides of a hollow square, and the
prisoner marched around the whole line
His coffin was borne before him, on a
stretcher carried by four men. the band
playing the Rosues March. After going
around the whole line he was conducted to
the center, made to kneel by the side Of his
coffin, with white handkerchief tied over
his eyes, the word of command to fire being
given, he fell over without a struggle, six
balls having penetrated his heart, causing
death instantly. 1t was solemn scene and
one would suppose soldier would think
twice before committing crime the penalty
of which Is such a death.
All seems to be quiet along the lines, ex
cept now and then slight skirmish with
some Of the rebel cavalry. We hear the
noise Of the guns and then the ambulances
bring in the few wounded ones who have
fallen in the battle. We are watching the
progress of events closely, both in Virginia
and at Vicksburg, for we think perhaps
our own dcstinics may be affected either
by defeat or victory at one or both of
those places. Our Rosy, we knoac, is
watching closely, and when the time comes
to strike, his strong arm will tell somewhere
among the rebel hordes.
The weather for day. or two past has
been quite cool; however, we have had
some hot weather, the thermometer ranging
as high as 80 in the shade.
The McGregor boys are all well except
Fred. Bradley, who returns home this week
on account Of sickness.
The paymastcr has not made his appear,
ance for some time, and consequently it
makes trade rather dull. We look forward
to see stirring events in this department
ere long when they come will inform you
Of them.
We, from McGregor, sympathize with
our brave Col. Merrill, and We feel proud Of
the fact that our little city can show such
record of brave men who gave up home,
fortune and all the comforts of life, to en-,
gage in the stern realities of war; men
who have already become heroes, and whose
praise is in everybody's mouth. We hope
that among the present inhabitants there
is not single vile Coppcrhead, as here
they are at fearful discount, and woe be
to the man who would openly avow that
he belonged to the party. A quick and
speedy vengeance would be meted out to
him, and his punishment would be equal
to the poor deserter who, led estray by
their internal teachings at the north, sui,
fcred in consequence.
W. w. ALLEN.