Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-05-18

SANDUsKY, o. May 10.
This afternoon, the sentence passed upon
William Corbin and T. P. McGraw, convict
ed at Cincinnati, was executed on Johnson's
Island, the depot for prisoners of war near
this city. The execution was strictly militia
~, none being allowed on the island except
the soldiery, officers Of the Government, and
reporters of the press.
In the morning the prisoners in the yard
were restricted to close quarters, and the
island strongly picketed. At l P. NJ. the
battalion was formed by Captain Linnell,
and marched to the spot Of execution, on
the south side Of the island, fronting the
bay. At 20 minutes past one the prisoners,
securely bound, guarded by the execution
party, accompanied by their escort and chap
lain, left the prison, and were placed in a
two horse wagon, seated on a coffin, the
spiritual adviser, Rev. R. McCune, Chaplain
Of the post, sitting between them, and pro-
coded to the beech, the band playing the
dead march.
The battalion formed in hollow square, the
execution party in the center, front facing
the prisoners, Major PiersOn and staff on the
right. The proceedings of the cOurt-martial,
finding and sentence were then read by Ad-
jutant Bailey, after which the Chaplain
stepped forward beside the condemned, and
said:
al an desired by these unfortunate man
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. l am also charged by them to
say to all in attendance that they die fOrgiv-
ing all enemies and accuserss and in love and
charity with all men, believing in the gospel
of Jesus Christ, and that they have thus far
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.. Mcclure, the condemned we're
blindfolded, the necessary orders were given
by the Provost Marshal, and at forty minutes
past enc Corbin and McGraw paid the pen
atty of their acts.
The execution party consisted of thirty
two men, divided into squads-half being a
reserve. The firing was excellent-the six
teen shots fred being as that of one man.
The criminals fell back upon their collins.
each pierced through the breast, within q
circle of a few inches, by twenty-five balls
and buckshot, and died without a struggle.
Corbin did not move a muscle, McGraw gasp
ing but once. The bodies were then. exam
ined by surgeons, and life found extinct,
The troops were then marched past the bod
les, the band playing the dead march, thence
to the parade ground and were dismissed.
The whole proceedings attending the exc
cution were very solemn and impressive, and
the manner in which they were conducted
reflects credit upOn the officers and men hav-
ing it in charge.
Just previous to the execution, the pris-
oners handed the Chaplain the following:
al, W. F. Corbin, was born March Sth.
1888, in Campbell County, KY; Joined the
Masonic Order at twenty-one years Of age
joined the Christian Church in my 2Sd year.
at California, in the SAINT county was bap-
tised by Elder f. Sallie, of Bracken County,
KY; Joined the rebel army in October, 1862
came to kentucky in February, 1868; was
taken prisoner on the night of the 8th Of
April"
NI, 7. P. McGraw, was born in Harrison
County, KY, June 4, 1929 my father died
in December, 1858, when I removed to Fal-
mouth, where 1 lived till 1850, and then eamt
to Campbell County, KY, where I remained
till April, 1862 I then went to the COnfed-
crate army and was attached to the 9Th Ken
lucky volunteers ; I was a Lieutenant in Co
G. until February, 1858, when l was sent BY
General Marshall to recruit a company o
men for his command was taken prisoner
on the 9th of April, 1858 was not tried BY
court martial, and supposed l would b
treated as a prisoner; Joined the Christian
Church ct California, KY, in 1856. I cave
mother and two sisters and a boother ant
friends to mourn my loss, but their loss is m!
gain. Prepare to meet me in heaven.
freely forgive all men as God, for Christ
sake, has forgiven me-"
By order Of General Burnside the bodie
were given to friends from Kentucky VII,
we're in attendance to receive them.