Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1863-03-24
FOR THE SPECTATOR
Military Execution.
CAMP NEAR BucKNrR's NECK, VA,

, MluldIy EXcCutlOus
/ CAMP NEAR BUcKNER's NECK, VA,
M rch 4th, 1858.
| Mr. EDIroR.-Since our Army Corps has been en-
camped at Buckners Neck, discharging the ordinar.
du les OF Camp, and picketing the Rappahannock
the good soldiers no were at their posts during thu
last campaign have had some time for rest. and tht
enjoyment of the society of their friends in Camp will
the satisfaction of knowing that they had discharged
to the best of their Abilities the duties devolvng
them while enduring the trying marches and engaged
IN deadly conflict with the enemy during the series Of
battles through which have passed But there will
ever be painful associations connected with our quiet
encampment upon the Rappahannock, the witnessing
OF the execution of those who have so long shirked
their duties Since the Army has been at rest these
men have been brought to trial. and several have been
executed and others condemned to suffer sentences
severe it possible to inict and spare the life
the prisoner. 1t was made my duty to witness the
execution of soldier the 28th ult., and there
nave been so many cases of absence without leave
from the army, many who are thus absent not
being aware of what they ri.king by remaining
from Camp until arrested and their families and
friends often influence them both to leave their post of
duty, and to remain absent longer than they would
otherwise do, without thinking of what the awful con-
sequences may be- will give an account of the pub
lie execution of one of those poor unfortunate men,
and enieavor to present views in regard to the
influences which men to absent themselv from
Camp and remain at their homes so long, thus leav-
ing the faithful soldiers to be cut to pieces in battle
Tor the want of the support which those very men
should give them.
by order OF Major General TRINBLE the Brigades
OF Generals Paxton and JONES were paraded wit
side-arms, on the 2sth ult !, at IL clock, A. NJ, to
Witness the execution of two sode,s of General PAX
ION oi1gade' zone OF the condemned prisoners es-
capped on the night of the 9th ult which left but one
to oe executed, The Brigades w,re maj ched to the
heid previously selected and were formed in the fo
OWING order, ubder the direction of the Marshal OF
the day Colonel NADENBUsH, I'd Va In antry: Pax.
ton Brigade in four ranks facing in the direction of
stake to which the prisoner was to be bound Jones'
brigade was formed one-half of it on each flank of
faxtons Brigade, and perpendicIlarly to the front
facing troops thus forming three sides Of
square In short time, the firing party, prisoner
and escort, appeared at distance to the left and
rear, and moved in the direction OF the left wing OF
Jones Brigade, the Brass Band belonging to -
regiment, marching in front and playing a solemn
tune; then the firing party, consisting of platoon of
twenty men, fifteen OF the pieces having been loaded
"lth oail cartridge and all capped and issued ndis
cnminaely to the men composing the party next |
foilo ed four men bearing coffin then the prisoner
with Chaplain on each side the escort pa atoon of
Iwen nle, bringing up the rear. The Marshal con
tucted the Column around the left flank of Jones |
Brigade and along the front OF the lines Inside of the
square until about half way along the right wing the
Band playing the g dead march, when the direction
Was chang ed to the left and the column mo yed to
point between the center and line of the square
where he caused it to halt and change direction so as
% front the stake previously designated which ood
upon the line. The prisoner was dressed in suit OF
brown jeans, and had brown plush cap the visor
being Of the material the Cap and drawn down
closely over his eyes The coffin now placed by
the stake, and he prisoner being conducted to thai
tolnt TOOK MS seat upon the c fin, and sohbing
IN most pltltui manner The charge and specifca-
uon together 18th the finding ana sentence of the |
Court Martial, and the following orders, were then |
EYTRACT
GENERAL OhDkhS 40 49,
lid. QRS. DEPT n VA
FEB 3D. 1863 |
Continuation Of the proceedings of General Court
Martial, convened at the Camp of Brig Gen PAXTON
Brigade by virtue of General Order l2S Headquar
eis, Department of Northern Vtrg inia at which were
hrralgned and iried, the following named prisoners
all are omitted except whose
name we forbear to give
CHARGE.-DEs ERTIoN.
SPECIFICATION. - In this, that he, the said -
lid at near Elk Rum about the 10th of April
IL 2, absent himself from his Company without the
permission of his Commanding Officer, and did rem am
ipsent Until he was arrested and brought back by 1
cut. KITE, of same Company and Regiment on or
,bout the 2 st OF December, 1862. Finding OF the
opecihcation-GULTY Of the Cbarge-GuILTY-l
oeNTENc-And the Court do, therefore, sentence the
Infantry, to be shot to death with musket.y, two.
thirds oil the Court concurring therein.
Inc proceedin findings and sentences in the
;, ~ riiVases ~ a and ---, all OF
10. d. 53rd va Regiment, approved the sentences
are oonfrmed and will be duly executed in the pres
ence OF t. cir Brigade, under the direction of their Di
vision Commander, ten days after the prumulgation
u the sentence to the Brigade. By order of
GEN X. 4. LEE
Signed, Il. e. CHILroN A. A. & @. Gen
Then followed the order of Major Gen. TRIMBLE,
giving directions for the arrangements and manner
'ondue ting the execution, which is long for
ton here The prisoner, on being asked by the Mar
shall, whether he had any statement to make any
thing to say replied that he had net; but that he had
" to leave his poor wife and little children and con-
tlnued sobbing in truly distressing to hear
The Chaplans, at the request of the prisoner, sang
two verses Of the hymn, commencing ith tie words
$ " where shall rest be found, after which each |
Chaplain prayed with him, the last one kneeing as
did the prisoner. The prisoner continued kneeling
them FAREWELL adding that he hoped they would meet
him in heaven The prisoner hen took his position
tseated upon the coffin, his ba against the stake to
which the Marshal bound him by passing a cord a.
round his arms and body, and confn ng him securely
to the stake When the bandage placed over his
eyes, lie inquired whether they going to shoot
him in the head and answered that they were |
n t. lie made no complaint of the punishment but,
as afterwards learned seemed to view his fate as
jut though he did not express it ia so macy words
As the Marshal moved from him to the firing party.
there was perfect silence all along the line-not
sound was heard save the ptiful sobbng of the con-
demnea prisoner. Ihe firing party, c imposed prin-
cipaliy of noble looking well-drrlled soldiers was
moved forward to within - PAGES of the prisoner
halt and correctly aligned, when the command
g Ready, was given, and the order executed with
promptness Aim,' each soldier sighting along his
piece Fire, and the voley, sounding almost as one
shot, was discharged. Of the twenty pieres four
loaded with bail cartridge had been reserved in case
they should be needed to pete the execution and
of the sixteen remaining pieces, five merely cap
ped, eeven being loaded with ball cartridge Of the
eeven balls discharged, eight took eect-sx in the
breast four within space of two inches in the center
of the breast, which, of course caused death instantly
The corpse loosened from the stake and laid by the
coffin, VIII n the entire command marching by the
soldier might see, and be impressed with the awful
consequences attending violation of those regula-
tons essential to maintain the strength and ecien