The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1863-09-23
M T. A E'S AR NJ Y
Mr.. ID. p. ConinRham's Despatch.
In IHn FIELD, Sept. 10, lS6

mr.. ID. p. Coningham's Despatch.
In THE FIELD Sept. 10, 1865
EXECUTION or pEsEHiERs.
On yesterday the solemn and scene Of shoot
ing two men for desertion took place 10 the Third DIVISION
commanded by General Hayes.
The unfortunate victims OF this tragic event we're two
substitutes who were sent from Boston few weeks
oao 10 the Fourteenth Connecticut Volunteers. Their
pames were Edward Elliot, Company B, and Charles a.
man. Company !, both privates. Az the Second corps
has been on the march for several dsys the prisoners
were brought anng charge Of the Provoft Marshal ana
were removed from corps headquarters TO General Hayes
on the morning of the executions.
Through the kndness n General Hayes and Acting Pro-
vost Marshal Captain Fields Of tho Tenth Now YorSbat
tallion was admitted TO see prisoners who wefc in
an out Office contiguous to tho Generals head
quarters On entering, Elliot was sitting at table
writing letter 10 bis mother. Eastman deep con-
versaton with the jealous chaplain Rev. H. j. stevens,
Bapts minister Fourteenth Connecticut Volunteers On
being introduced they both and shofk me by the
ha nd and few words Of conversation. Elliot TO-
sumed his writing and Eastman his conversation re
gous subjects.
While thus engaged had 40 opportunity OF closely
examining the two unfortunate victims. Elliott was
sight, Intelligent good locking young man. Of about
twenty ono years OF age He Of middle height with
The down Of manhood fresh up,n his chin. and he
seemed fully sensible Of his awful position. He freely
swered any questions asked He several times stopped
writing rested his head upon his hand and sighed heavily
He replied In nervous starting way. He said thought
hard die young, still no felt the justice OF his
sentence ana hoped that God would accept In expia
zion for his offence.
He stated that when be and his comrade deserted they
thought the worst that would happen them, arrested,
would be TO be sent back to their regiment and havo
a few months pay stopped. Had they realized the
fearful fate that awaited them they would have
done t. They wshed me to warn others, through tho
PRESS from similar fate and not to enlist unless they
intended to servo out their time. Elliot is native Of
Boston his father resides In New York. he felt very
about how is parents chiefly bis mother and his
only brother would feel. He often exclaimed "My
mother my mother God comfort her! and my poor little
brotherln
Eastman was from Cornish, Maine, and about twenty
tn years Of age He rather stout with strongly
marked features he appeared more composed than the
other Heretofore he proessod religion his family
bel nged TO Christian denomination. He wished 10
DO a Christian but expresseds strong doubts II God
would accept sudden q conversion; but the jealous
chaplain exhorted him. and held forth The example Of
the penitent thief and several Others should have
stated that account Of the RAJ marching Of the
wants until the morning Of u cir execution.
Eastman expressed wish TO be baptized. and the
Rev. Mr.. Stevens had conscientious scrupcs Of giving
baptism unless by immersion, no sout for the
Rev. Mr. Murphy. Presbyterian chaplain to the
Fir't D aware Volunteers. Rev. MT. Murphy wished
that tnel p oner 9 oud DO baptized at the
place Of execution, when he wished make public
fession Of his SINS The Chaplain asked permission Of
General Hays 10 do 90, which at granted In
deed, General Hays kindly ard humanity did everything
in his power console the last OF the
nate men.
Whom Elliot had finished writing and handed the
letter rho Chaplain forwarded - his Friends tho
two cbap'ans and myself knelt with them In prayer.
Eastman ured forth an exemporaneous prayer, full
Of resignation and strong Christian feeling Hc besought
God 10 have mercy and compassion upon hm-to forgive
him the and transgesion Of his nas fe-to
eept his death 10 atonemsnt and when his soul parted
from his body 10 receive II INTO Ills heavenly Kingdom.
Hc earnestly invoked blessing upon his father and
mother. his brothers and sisters, upon who Knclt
with them in prayer. and upon all mankind.
Elliot next made public procession OF his faith an
Episcopalan and then with upftcd eyes and ciasped
hands, poured forth his soul In gushing prayer. Tho
chaplslns then joined them prayer, and concluded
by reciting the lords prayer.
Some dinner now brought 70 them. Eastman
fus taxing any. Elliot cat . little. Tho fatal hour
was approaching, the sentence I, be carried
out before four O'Clock PM. and within half
hour Of tho time. The door thrown OPEN and the
two prisoners leaning the chaplans arms walked 10
the ambulance that was to carry Thorn to execution.
yssIoS.
From our elevated position could plainly see the
troops forming in line around the graves The roar q
the cannon along the Rapidan seemed TO chant ~
death dirge.
tn procession formed. in front was the band Of
the Fourteenth Connecticut playing the dead march, az
tor these tho shooting party Of svccn selected from Tho
Provost guardof the DIVISION and belonging TO the Tenth
New York battalion,
After these followed the con bearers eight copscrps
Of the ~ 1T re,awars.
Next the ambulance bearing the pris ners tho chap.
aims and myself, followed by guard
Tho procession moved along slowly and soemnly. the
prisoners all the 'imc either readps the Testament or
ccnversng with the chspla,ns.
An the Third brigade out picket duty only the
the following order:-The seoond brigade formed two
tines Of the sdu,re while the First brigade formed the
other line.
A tho procession rcached tho square the prisoners
aghtedfrom the ambulance and band fc 10 the rear
Here the bearers took up the conn on their shoudes
rout cf tho prisoners The prisoners tm troublons
look at tho cofns and then moved on leaning On the
cHApan' Ihc collins were pnoed beside the graves
which were aug about i've feet deep. The Rev. Mr..
Murphy addressed tho prisoners troops present in
feeling anguare cxhor'nR all TO on IN prayer 10 C cd n
havc mercy on the two souls TO appear In His
lie strongly cxhortcd 10 take warning
By ehe tragic fate the prisoners and not desert thor
cowtrye service, and then baptized tho prisoner
Eissn1n.
Tho REV. Mr. Stevens knch down taking each or the
men ny the hand: they aud the Rev. Mr. Murphy knet
beside him and Joined In crvent prayer Captain Fields
now came np and bandased the prisoners eyes. Elliot
ga bach hts conn Easman knclt IN prayer His voice
audwe above tho click and oundof the gems they
werc brc~sh 90 "rrceent." The word "1rev having
been rives. Elliot fell back gently On his coin only
wounded, ~sass Eastman jumped up and tore tn, band.
age from he eyes. evidently untouched. The roser We
~as ordered Eastman appeared as electrified and
placed his bands before he eyes e. shut o the srr "a
sest Tho men again Missed The Provost Marshal
dnsug this. in mercy putd out his revolver and shot
ffa ba