The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-10-02
MEADE'S ARMY.
OF DESERTERS,
4 TRAGICAL SCENE.

Cores pondcnce OF the Herald.
In THE FIELD, Sept 49, 1863.
EXECUTION OF DESEETERS.
On yesterday the solemn and impressive
scene of shooting two men for desertion
took place in the Third division, com.
manded by Gen. Hayes.
The unfortunate victims of this tragic
event were two substitutes who were sent
out from Boston few weeks ago to the
Fourteenth Connecticut Volunteers Their
names were Edward Elliot, Company B,
and Charles Eastman, Company /, both
privates.
l was admitted to see the prisoners, who
were in an out office contiguous to the
General headquarters. On entering, FL
liot was sitting at table writing letter
to his mother. Eastman was in deep con-
versation with the Jealous chaplain, Rev.
Fl. j. Stevens, Baptist minister, Four
teenth Connecticut Volunteers. On being
introduced they both rose and shook me
by the hand, and after a few words of
conversation, Elliot resumed bis writing,
and Eastman his conversation on religious
subjects.
While thus engaged l had an oppor-
nifty OF closely examining the two unfor-
tunate victims. Elliot was slight. intel
ligent, good looking young man, of about
twenty-one years of age. He was of mid
die height, with thin, regular features, and
thick profusion of fair hair. The down
of manhood was fresh upon his chin, and
lie seemed fully sensible of his awful po-
sition. He freely answered any questions
| asked. He several times stopped writ
ing, rested his head upon his hand, and
sighed heavily. He replied in mel vous,
starting way. He said he thought it was
hard to die so young, still he felt the JUS
tice of the sentence, and hoped that God
wonld accept it in expiation for his of
fence.
He stated that when he and his COM
rade deserted they thought the worst that
would happen them, if arrested, would be
to be sent back to their regiment and to
have a few months pay stopped. Had
they realized the fearful fate that awaited
them they would never have done it.
They wished me to warn others, through
the press, from a similar fate, and not
W NAAiSo oiASoo OilCy luCCuucu W serve OUT
their time. Elliot is a native of Boston ::
his father resides in New York. He felt
very uneasy about how his parents
chiefly his mother--and his only brother
would feel. He often exclaimed, "My
mother, my mother; God comfort her !.
and my poor little brother!"
Eastman was from Cornish. Maina. and
about twenty-three years of age. He was
rather stout, with strongly marked fea-
lures; he appeared more composed than
the other. Heretofore be protested no
religion, as his family belonged to no
Christian denomination He wished to be
Christian, but expressed strong doubts
II God would accept SO sudden CONVEX
sion; but the jealous chaplain exhorted
him, and held forth the example of the
penl' ent thief and several others. should
have stated that on account of the rapid
marching of the corps the chaplain was
unable to attend to their spiritual wants
until the morning of the execution.
Wen Elliot had finished writing and
handed over the letter to the Chaplain to
be forwarded to his friends, the two chap
lains and myself knelt with them in prayer.
Eastman poured forth an extemporaneous
prayer, full of resignation and strong Chris