The palmetto herald. [volume] (Port Royal, S.C.) 1864-1864, 1864-04-21

maker. hes all right, and Stark en-
dorsed his request The patrol complied.
and the condemned prisoners thanked
him courteously.
THE SQUARE
Was formed at q point on the field about
forty rods from the sallyport, With an
open side towards the north. In 4
group on the right were Col. Duryee and
bis staff. consisting OF Dr.. Dairymple,
Post Surgeon Captain Fessendcn, Post
Comm;ssary Lieut.. Fitch, Post Adju-
tant. Lieut.. Woodruff, Acting Aide-de-
camp and Lieut.. Beehe. Post Quarter
master. The mounted officers dismounted
at the Causeway. and the column then ad-
yanced and passed the front OF the square,
advancing by the right, the band playing
a dead march all the way into position, On
the center of the open space. The prison
ers maintained their calm demeanor.
When they passed their own regiment,
they several times raised their hats to old
comrades.
PRELIMINARY PEOCEED-NGS.
On reaching the ground the firing par
ties and escort moved TO the right, the
prisoners stepped nimbly from the cart,
the coffinS were removed. and the CON
demned men seated upon them. pstter
direction of Capt. King. The Provost
Marshal then read the charges, finGngs
AMI sentence. At the order for execu-
lion. Father Hasson approached the cul-
prits. and the others Withdrew. klicel-
inc upon the ground with the men, the
pr est repeated short prayer, and afer
they had performed active contrltion, IN
accordance with the requirements OF the
church. lie conferred absolution. Rising
he babe adieu to them. Each shook
hands with him, and, much impressed
but apparently still fearless of their ap-
proaching doom. said their farewells.
As they stood erect. and looked around
on the troops and the spectators, much
sympathy was expressed for them. sShu-
maker did not look the hardened wretch
he had been reputed, but like young man
with good natural impulses, whose reck-
le sness and perhaps ignorance had Jed him
astray. Stark was slighter in figure, and
more unprepossessing in countenance.
but not less firm in demeanor.
THE EXECUTION.
Cant. Babcock and Capt. King pei
formed the duty of blindfolding the pris-
O hers and binding their hands behind
them, and then made them k1eei upon
their coffins, facing the center cfs the
square. Capt. King marched the nring
party up in front, and halted them SIX
PAGES off. The doomed men moves not
a amuscle as they heard the tramp ofthelr
eyecutioners. Capt. Babcock, with his
word, gave the signal to make ready,
then to take aim-the multitude. locking
on in brcathless suspense-and at another
signal
TIE FATAL voLLBr
was fired, and the two deserters fell DEAD,
their breasts pierced with bullets. Fchu-
-rrss<er fell over glireetly y~Saclswart.4 With
nine bullets in his breast, and life fingered
in his body for IN instant only. Stark
fell forward over his coffin, pierced with
eight bullets, and was already dead when
the surgeons reached him.
The troops were then all marched, in
column by company, past the spot. and
gazed on the ghastly corpses as they
passed. Next followed the crowd of
other spectators. none too hardened to
be unimpressed by the sight. Then the
whole of the throng dispersed, the troops
returned to their camps, the bodies were
placed in the coftins, and the funeral
escort were left almost alone to perform
the burial duties.
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