The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1864-06-10
KNOCK FALcoNrR. \. A. g.
A MILITARY EXECUTION.

with like glories
j. L. JOHNSTON, General
KNOCK FALcoNER, i. A. G.
MILITARY EXECUTION.
From the Tri-woekly South Carolinian, May a.
A correspondent Of the Atlanta Con.
fadoracv gives the annexed account OF
military execution which recently
occurred at Dalton:
have witnessed a scene, the horror
Of which can never be forgotten. It
was the execution of fourteen men bv
the sentence Of court-martial.
When / arrived upon the ground, /
found the division of Major General
Stevenson drawn up in lines, forming
three sides of hollow square. In front
were fourteen stakes, with coffin at the
foot Of each, and in the rear of these
long line of yawning graves
In a few moments afterward, the ar
rival of four wagons containing the
unfortunate men, filed slowly through
the lines, and approached the fatal
spot
The men, with one exception, appear
ed unmoved, and calmly looked around
a. though they were unconscious Of the
fearful end they were approaching.
By direction of General Reynolds
they were drawn up in line, and num-
Der Of chaplains approached them, and
besOught them to ave the few remain
ing moments of their lives TO prayer,
which was followed by the reading of
the Twenty-third Psalm, and an elo-
quent prayer, which affected the pris-
Oners very much
Gen Reynolds then asked them If
they had anything to say, and address
sed them in an impressive manner for
a few minutes. Two Of them said they
had no intention of deserving the ser
vice; one said he Was cut oft from his
command at Mission Ridge, and did not
know where 10 90, and went home the
other said he deserted on account Of
his family.
Several of their regimental and com
pany officers now came forward and
babe them farewell The men, with
one exception, were very much excited,
several having lost all control of their
feelings
General Reynolds turned to them and
said May God have mercy on your
souls, and, turning hastily away, the
guard stepped forward, and taking each
one to stake, tied them fast, and then
bound cloth over their eyes.
Al began 10 pray, and some were
shouting and clapping their hands
austin made no demonstration. save
the swaying back and forth of his broad
whitish lips, which moved as in prayer.
The shooting detail, consisting of one
hundred and twenty men, were now
marched in front Of them, and an Off
Ger stepped aside and raised handker-
chief; then the ominous clicking of
the locke was heard, which thrilled
through the by-standers and caused the
unfortunate men at the stakes TO shud- /
der and tremble as though a galvanic
battery had been applied to each.
< Uno moment, and hundred tubes I
are levelcd at their breasts. We hold I
our breath IN suspense, and a sickly 1
fnnUng feeling takes possession of us. I
While our eyes are riveted upon the
haudkerchief-the fall of which is to I
send these unfortunate men TO an UNI
tiTaely and dishonored grave-the Off
Ger turns lEbll the NonutAlltu 70 the i
detail, hurries along the line, drops the 4
handkerchief, and turns away
a ragged volley followed by strag-
Cling shots, and two of TIE men are I
hieless; others are screaming in their /
sgony, and imploring and beseeching
the men to finish the work so badly 1
done. few struggle to half reclin- |
ing position, suspended by the rope 4
which confines them 10 the stakes. and 1
expire. A young soldier rushes up 10
shoot poor wretch who is crying in |
agony for death, and presents his gun, /
but sickeping with the horrid sight, |
turns away, then wheels, and quickly 4
aiming his gun, sends a bali through his 4
breast. Al last the provost guard arrive /
and dispatch the few who are yet strug-
Cling.
With a sad and sickened heart
turned away, and even after ] had
mounted my horse / hearda shot fred I
Al some poor fellow who had fingered /
ten OF fifteen minutes.
The affair was badly managed, and I
the horrors of such a scene were made 4
revolving by the laundering manner in 4
which the execution took place No re-
serve was on hand TO finish the horri-