The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1863-03-10
EXECUTION OF A DEsERTER.


correspondent writing from the 3Sth N. Z
Regiment, near Fredericksburg, to the Raleigh
Standard, gives the following account of the exc
cution of deserter:
"The execution of the sentence of death upon
William A. Tomlin, private, company B, 3Sth
II. G. regiment, was done the 23d of February
The culprit had been enlisted soldier nearly
twelve months, but had never done duty, being
under guard as deserter. He was one Of those
abandoned characters who could evade the vigi-
lance of the civil officers after the perpetration of
heinous crime, by change Of locality, feigned
name, a avocation, some other fraud. Ac-
cording to his own narrative, he was aged %
years had roamed over North and South Carolina
as preacher, colporteur doctor, pill seller, &c,
under twelve different (too tedious to men,
tion,) his true name being n A. H. Claunch, was
born and partly raised at jamestown, Guilford
county, N. G., had married three wives, all of
whom are now living, had murdered two IN, one
of whom was his brother Much Of such matter
was developed on the trial, all Of which tended to
make the culprit a fit example to expiate the
crime of which he was found guilty, and which
the good soldiers interest and justice to our
country so much demanded.
Being found guilty of deserton and Of inducing
others to do SO, by court martial, sentence of
death being passed and confirmed. the day was
appointed for the execution in the presence of the
brigade (Pender's). Early Monday morning, the
brigade, under the command of OR excellent
Colonel, W. J. Hoke, was formed, making three
sides of paralelogram. The prisoner, seemingly
willing victim, was marched up to stake in
the middle of the fourth side, and being secured,
the guard formed fifteen steps inside the paralelo
commanding officer stepped back to the guard and
commanded, ready! aim! fire! when the prisoner
fell lfeess corpse, pierced by ten minnie balls,
two of which went through his head Consider
ing the was about foot deep, and the
weather was extremely cold, it was gloomy and
sad spectacle. | onjecture the example will have
a happy effect on troops
PROCLAMATION BY THE PRESIDENT
the supremacy of the living God, we should be
ever mindful of our dependence on Him; should
remember that to Him alone can we trust for our
deiverance; that to Him is due devout thankful
ness for the signal mercies bestowed on US, and
that by prayer alone can we hope to secure the
continued manifestation of that protecting care
which has hitherto shielded us in the midst of
trials and dangers.
In obedience to His precepts, we have from
timelto time been gathered together with prayers
and thanksgiving, and He has been graciously
abundant exhibitions of His favor to our armies
and sur people. Through many conflicts we have
now attained place among the nations which
commands their respect; and to the enemies who
encompass around and seek our destruction, the
Lord of Hosts has again taught the lesson of His
insrfred word that the battle is not to the strong
but to whomsoeyer He willeth to exalt.
Again, our enemy. with loud boasting of the
p,,ver of their armed men and mailed ships,
threaten us with subjsgation, and, with evil
Vaccinations, seek, even in our own homes and at
our own fresides, to pervert our men-servants and
maidservants into accomplices of their wicked
designs.
Under these circumstances, it is my privilege to
invite YOU once more to meet together and to
prostrate yourselves in humble suppcation to
Him who has been our constant and never failing.
support in the past, and to whose protection and
guidance we trust for the future
To this end, I, Jefferson Davis, President Of the
Confederate States of America, do issue this my
proclamation, Sitting apart Friday, the twenty
seventh day of March as day Of fasting, hunnilia
ton and prayer, and do invite the people of the
said States to repair that day to their usual
places of public worship and to join in prayer to
Almighty God that he will continue his merclful
protection over our cause, that he will scatter cur
enemies and set at naught their evil designs, and
that he will graciously restore to our beloved
country the blessings of peace and security
In faith whereof, ] have hereunto set my hand
at the city of Richmond the twenty-seventh
day of February, in the Year of our Lord one
thousand eight hundred and sixty-three.
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
An Hishman's opinion of the Irish Fe"erof-
rAnn