Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1864-01-05

I ppiuupbt OuL ONhs lhltN HuhitNio VI iNblhiNAN
or company must enlist to secure that privilege.
The I'd, Sd and 4th have had conscripts assigned
them that are not included in this veteran ar
rangement at all, This gives these regiments
less of chance to go home all together than
those without conscripts, for it can hardly be e1-
pected that the old boys will be unanimous
enough to get majority sufficient to overba-
ance the other, consoripts and all. Besides in
our regiment the original members, oil whom
there are about 240, are to be mustered out
the 20th Of next June. These had rather wait
six months longer and be free indeed free to en-
list or free to stay at home than to bind them
selves for another three years now, and re-
ceive their bounty and lurlough. Those that
have got TO serve through the summer on their
present term Of enlistment, and who think an
other summers work here will crush what is lett
of the rebellion, very naturally think it for their
benefit to re-enlist, pocket their S4O2, and get
leave to visit their heart-loved homes for a short
time now.
Last Friday we we're taken out to witness the
execution OF two deserters that belonged to our
brigade, Their names were John Tague and
George Blowers, The first was from Co. A, 9th
regiment and the other was from Co. a, in our
regiment They we're sentenced to be shot to
death by musketry on the 18th Of December, in
the presence Of the division. There were seven
soldiers that suffered the same penalty in this
army on that day. never was obliged to Wit
ness a sight like that before and sincerely hope
long time may intervene before om thus
called upon again
Just outside the camp, in little hollow, ore
the grave, of these unfortunate soldiers. 10
this place the whole Division was taken last Fri
day to witness the execution. These men were
made examples, and executed IL the presence Of
! the Division, to deter Others from the 'ame crime.
Alas, that i should be necessary Such terrible
scenes can only bun, mems finer sensi5tes and
harden them the more and Heaven knows that
the influences Of soldiers life are hardening
enough already,
he troops formed sort Of hollow square
around the iAtaI spot except behind the prisoners
there was no troops. Two graves had just been
dug there and after we had got into the place
assigned US, ordered arms, and oil va, still as
death two ambulanceI drove on to the ground
with two live men, and two collins to contain
them, and these we're to fill the newly made graves.
It seemed as il scme horrible tragedy in a theater
vas about to be enacted, rather than real pre-
paraton for execution. have seen men shot
down BY scores and hundreds in the field Of bat
tie, and have stood within an arms reach Of com
rade. that we're shot dead but believe l never
have witnessed that from which any soul shrunk
with such horror. as to see those two soldiers shot
dend in cold blood at the iron decree Of military
law.
If the men, generally, were unmovod at the
sight, they we're not more SO than the prisoners,
especially John Tague. He threw bis hat on to
the ground in bold defiance, and stood erect, fac-
ng the officers as the sentence Of death was read
without betrayiug the slightest agitation. After
the sentence was read, the chapains stepped for.
ward by their side and after reading some select
passages Of scripture, they offered prayer, the
prisoners kneeliug as they prayed.
The band di,coursed dirge-IiAe piece Of music,
vixen the prisoners we're conducted to their cof-
fms, on which they kneeed, and the guard fled
around and took position in front Of them, scarce
ly hafa dozen yards distant \ sergeant put a
circle around the neck of EACH from which was
suspended white object over the breast, as tar
get for the eyeeutioners. The prisoner, we're no,
oiindfoded, but looked straight into the muzzes
Of the guns that shot them to death. The guard
were divided into two platoons, one firing at one
prisoner, aud the other platoon firing at the 9th.
er prisoner, but there was no reserve to be ord.
cred up n case of failure. Blowers had been
sick, his head slightly dropped as il oppeesTd
with terrible sense Of the fate he was abou, tc
meet. lie had requested that he might see hi.
brother n Co. A., but bis brother was not there
lie had no heart TO see the execution, and had
been excused from coming, Tague was firm and
erect till the last moment, and when the order
was given to fire, he fell ike dead weight hi,
face resting on the ground, and bis feet still re
naming on the coffin Blowers fell at the sam,
time. He exclaimed, "Oh dear me (" struggled
a moment, and was dead Immediately our at
tenlion was called away by the loud orders 0
commanding officers, and We marched in columnr
around the spot where the bodies of the two mer
we're lying just as they fell God grant tha
another such punishment may never be needed il
this Potomac Army ANTl.RFBEL.