The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-05-26
s.,..4s D.. -.- s. '- f.r.
A MILITARY EXECUTION.
Shooting of the Kentucky Guerilla,
Thomas Martin.

From the Cincinnati Commercial, May H.
In the Commercial of last Saturday were pub.
lished the full particulars of the preparations
for the execution, on the day previous, OF the
guerilla, Thomas Martin. 1t will be remem.
bered that the order from the War Department.
suspending the execution of the sentence until
further orders, was received on the spot which
was to have been the execution ground, just
fourteen minutes before the shooting was to
have been done.
Lieut.. Colonel Hart, Assistant Adjutant Gen.
eral to Gen. Hooker, Informs US that the dis
patch ordering the postpOnement was sent in
response to one which he sent to the President,
Gin the absence of Gen. Hooker), at the earnest
request of the doomed mans friends and the
positive representations of certain legal gentle.
flaw in the court martial proceedings which
would entitle Martin to a new chance for his
life.
But it seems that the friends and legal ad-
visers in the case were unable to substantiate
their assertions, and that the War Department
and the President finally decided that the man
should die, in accordance with General Order
No. 80, from Gen. Hooker's headquarters, as
published in full by US last Saturday, together
with the report of the court martial trial by
which Martin was found guilty of having been
engaged as o guerilla, and having, as such,
plundered houses and stores, destroying prop
erty, and wounded disabled Union soldier.
The telegram from Washington, announc.
ing that Martin shout die between the hours of
II o'clock NJ. and 1 o'clock P. NJ, of Thurs
day, May II, was received at Gen. Hooker's
headquarters day before yesterday. and imme.
diately communicated to Gen. Which, post
commaudant upon whose Adjutant General,
Capt. Booth, devolved the duty of carrying it
out. A small plateau, with declivity imme-
fnI 10 hall H., 4s,,.,I I'D
Short Line Dayton railroad tunnel, was the
spot selected for the execution. The prepare.
tions were conducted with the strictest secresy
throughout, so that the excitement and cOllec-
ton OF observers incident to such an affair,
might be avoided. The coffin was taken to a
house in the vicinity of the place night before
last, and kept concealed there until the hour
OF execution, The troops detailed on the oc,
caslon were from the the 37th Iowa and 1921
Pennsylvania regiments of infantry, stationed
at kelton barracks, in the northeastern part OF
the city.
At a quarter after eleven Yesterday morning
detachment of these troops left the barracks
and marched down Broadway to Court, down
Court to the Deer Creek road, and thence
north to the execution ground, and, under di-
rection of Capt Booth, took up their position
on the spot already named. At the same mo-
ment, closed hack, containing the doomed
man and spiritual adviser, Father Garresche,
and preceded and followed by guard of infan-
try, left the Mclean barracks on Third street
near John, and, under command of Capt. Nc.
Cleary, proceeded quietly through the city to
the same destination. AS the little procession
moved along the streets there was no suspicion
whatever among the citizens as to the object.
Having arrived within short distance of the
fatal spot, the carriage was halted and, the
prisoner having stepped to the ground, the
procession was formed in the following order:
Provost Marshal, Capt. McCleary.
Band playing dead march.
Firing party of one sergeant and eight men.
Coffin borne by four men.
The prisoner, accompanied by the priest and q
sergeant.
Reserve detachment of twenty. eight.
The detachment of infantry already on the
ground had been formed into three sides of
hollow square, in open order, the rising ground
in the rear forming the fourth side. AS the
mournful procession, with its wailing death
music and measured tread, approached, the
square opened, admitted it, and closed again.
The coffin was placed on the ground at the foot
of the hill and behind this receptacle of his
mortal remains with its solemn insignia of
death, the prisoner stood, still supported by
the priest and sergeant, while Capt. Booth read
to him order No. 50 and the order for his exc
cution and asked him if he had aught to say,
in that, his last hour on earth. He replied, in
a firm voice, that he had nothing to say. A
handkerchief was then bound over his eyes;
he kneeled behind the coffin, holding crucifX
in his right hand, and the attendants left him.
The firing party of nine then took its position,
eight PAGES off. and at the word of command
from Capt. McCleary nine muskets-eight
loaded with ball and one with blank cartridges
were leveled at the kneeling mans bosom.
At precisely at half past II o'clock the com.
mand fire" was given, and, as the smoke of
the musketry cleared away, Martin was discov-
cred lying on the ground, on his back perfectly
dead
Surgeons Doran and Findlay Immediately
examined the body, and found that five balls
had pierced 1.-two directly through the heart,
one through the right breast, one through the
throat, and one through the left shoulder The
right hand still held the crucifix, which had
symbolized his faith. The body was placed in
the coffin directly, and taken to the Catholic
cemetery for interment.
Throughout the entire affair Thomas Martin
exhibited degree of calmness and resignation
entirely unexpected; there were no signs of
weakness or timidity either in his countenance
or bearing; he seemed to have fully resolved
to die as man should die under such circum-
stances. Thomas Martin was young man of
about twenty-one years, entirely without edu-
cation, and with bu. few practical ideas. Pre-
vious to the rebellion he worked on q farm in
Carter county, Kentucky, where he was born.
anu "neio Ais iatueI. Two UrotucTS anu Iour
sisters now reside. His father was present al
the trial last fall.
He enlisted in the rebel army on the 18th of
September, 1868, joining Gen. John s. Will.
Jams Virginia brigade. Thomas was captured
at Gainesville, KY on the 9th of January,
1864, by squad of scouts from the 10th Ken
lucky regiment, under Capt. VIM. Adams.
He says that when captured he belonged to
the 10th Kentucky Mounted Rifles Colonel
Candle.
Peace in Georgia.