Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1865-02-09
A nEsERrER SHor.

ACCOUNT or THE ExECuuoN-sCENBs On GOvERNORS
ISbAND.
A deserter named lanes Deyln was shot al
Governors Island this afternoon lie deserted sew
eral times from the army, and afterwards enlisted
in the navy where he finally arrestct. lie was
taken to Governors Island, tried by acOurt mar
tEll, and sentenced to be shot, Gen. DIX approving
the iiudiug OF the court. .-rtzl n -uf,..t
Dcylin Was about live feet niue inches high, OF
cOnn,,act form and about thirty years OF age. He
first enlisted in the army under Iis own name, but
deserted and afterwards enlisted uuirr the name
of Patrick Dinond. - ~. I esq
The circumstances connected with the prisoners
arrest are fun of interest. They are, however but
illustrations of the old story OF Inas fathessness
and wdman's revenge. Tue prisoner, having be-
come posse ola large amount of money by these
frauds INDUCED in constant dss patton. 1t is sta-
ted that he CONNIE need the business Of bo,yaty
jumping three yeafs since, and was lured TO con-
time m il by its vast profits and light risks a. that
time His in gotten wealth led him to iprssk his
homie aud his wife, With three or tour children
fonnd herself deserted by him. =, - = 41.av
Despite her entreaties, he refused TO live with
her, aud she became prey to poverty. In the
mean time, her husband lived with another woman,
ON whom he layished the proceeds of his perilous
enterprises. SWISS -..aJlers.g &c
Having found no hope Of redress and her patience
Incoming exhausted at the humiliaing and INDECENT
position she was forced 10 occupy, she resolved to
rid the mistress OF her lover, il the act involved
.r ~ "A
Her resolve was soon put into practice She IN
formed an officer of the otense OF her husband, cnu
merated his desertions and his base COURSE OF life,
and he at once arrested. The witnesses OF has
guilt were then Forthcoming, and his vife's wrongs
were avenged in his trial and death. He had been
married three years TO her. .l ca li rrfl 49,
On Wednesday the order for his execution was
received by Col Mumford, of the Eighth Artillery,
1 in command on Governors Island. The arrange
meats in carrying out the order were excellent, and
- A.. .w~.tI xr.G ,ns,A Wt.o
time appointed was between the hours Of u and
= During the morning several members Of General
Dxs staG went 10 the island to witness the execu-
tion- At twelve o'clock Mrs. Deylin, with cons
Ipanion went to the island to see her husband, hay
lg received a pass for that purpose She appeared
to be in state of distraction, and hoped to the last
moment that the life Of the prisoner would be spared
She said she did not care what punishment was in
ficted on him If he were not executed.
When she reached the island the Provost Marshal
gave her permission 70 have an interview with Dew
/ In. Her lamentations weFe loud aud exceedingly
painful to all who were within hearing. "a =
At about one O'clock the guard entered the .sgar-
rison, - where the prisoner was confined. AT this
point the cries of the woman. were frantic. She
called upon 'sGod TO look down upon her poor
orphanSo The criminal was placed in the centre Of
the guard and with the priest on one side and his
wife on the other he taken out of the garrison
TO the plateau in the centre of the island lie was
taken close to s coffin and directedto take his fare
wellOf his wife. This ne did without showing emo
ton. -e1st- -
There was no expression OF fear ON Devlin's face.
His features were set, and he manifested degree
of sto1idity much beyond that ordinarily shown by
criminals about 10 be executed. sy.ra
Close TO the coffin the final prayerswere said. -
The priest stood by Deylin, and the devotional
erciSes occupied about halt an hour. s.iH4s
During this time the nring party were drawn mp
Il in front OF the prisoner. st. sos
l At ten minutes of two O'Clock white bandage
was placed over the prisoners eyes, aud he knelt IN
front of his coffin, facing the soldiers For three
minutes the wretched man kneit there, in the pre-
sence OF Thousand persons, but he did not fator,
lathough many Of the spectators held their breath
in suspense. At last the order was given, aud ten
OF the twelve forming the hiring party discnrg-
cd their pieces, thy bullets passing through ley-
Inns body and striking the water beyond. n 7. 4.
The prisoner fell forward and died without strug-
GLE One OF the balls passed through his hung and
one had cut his spine IN two. All OF the balls struck
the prisoner ia the right breast .. s ili. -.
IL is generally the custom to have one OF The
weapons used by the firing squad unoaded, so hat
none on the men can certainly know THAI he has
killed the prisoners. In this instance eleven arms
were loaned two Of which were reserved, 10 be
fired in case Devlin was not killed al the first lire.
By accident one Of the weapons reserved had no
charge so that each of the men tired bullet all Of
which went through the prisoners body. l+
II The object this execution was fsiyiset forth
by Gen Dix in his approval of the finding AID SCI
ltence OF the court MARTIAL II was, in brief pun
nish and prevent bounty jumping and bounty swim
ding, which have become so common m both
branches Of the services. E't..s zaai ~, ~ I,
When our reporter left Che island the wife, OF
rather the widow, Of the departed soldier called al
the guard house and applied for his body. The re-
quest was granted, and the remafns viii according
" be removed 10 the dowsresidence, Rom which
1.-The fiiuerai<will take place.-Aec fofk EoeHb's
Post, Fe1. Sd. iN si-l7 ''o g- = stt''sa 49, r.