Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1865-03-03
4 O'CLOCK p. NJ.
EXECUTION AT THE OLD CAPITOL
PRISON.
Sergeant Sparey Shot to Death for Deser
tien, Drunkenness on Duty. and At
tempt to Commit Rape.

few minutes before noon to day Sergeant
Charles Sparey. of company E, 18th New York
cavalry, suffered the sentence of death passed
upon him by the court martial of which Lieut.
Col Cartwright of the goth Massachuss It's,
was president, in the yard Of the Old Ga Jitol
Prison, in the presence OF about 100 Of the
Veteran Reserve Corps and q few officers and
civilians.
The prisoner was a native of ireland, and
we beiIeye had no relatives in this country.
when he was 1s, since which time he has been
mostly in the military service, having before
the war took place served some years in the
regular army. He was about feet 10 in ches
high, rather thin in flesh, but honey, and wore
heavy mustache.
Tie charges for which the sentence of death
was passed upon him WERE that on the 18th Of
June last, while in command OF a picket post
near Langley, Fairfax county, Va, he unne.
cessarily absented himself from duty; drunken.
ness while on duty, and with ASSEMBLING Anna
III. Nelson and attempting to ravish her person.
The circumstances connected with the last
charge were marked by great atrocity. It was
proved that he went to the house of the parents
Of the girl, (who was only fifteen years of age, }
and after locking them in a room, knocked her
senseless and attempted to commit the horrible
crime. He was arrested shortly after the COM
mission of the deed, and sent to the Old Capitol,
and in August last was tried.
The sentence OF the court was not made
known to him until Tuesday last, when the
officer in charge read the proceedings of the
he listened attentively, but Betrayed no emo
ton. Soon after he, however, sent for Rev
Father Boyle, who had previously visited him,
and ne at once devoted his few remaining
hours TO his spiritual welfare, receiving daily
the instructions Of Father Boyle and some OF
the Sisters OF Charity.
This morning the prisoner was clearly shaved
and prepared for the execution, and Rev.
Father Boyle at an early hour called and was
admitted to his cell-room No. IA second story
of Oarrol prison-and up to the hour OF his
death remained with him. The prisoner ap..
peared quite resigned to his fate AID professed
to be ready to meet his God, but he did not as
far as publicly known make any confession
other than to express his resignation to the SEN
tence.
Col. T. r. 1ngraham, who was charged with
the execution 81 the sentence, arrived at the
Carroll prison about II o'clock. and in a short
time the guard, of the 18th V. &c, was formed
in front of the door in q hollow square, under
the command of Lieut. Dow. About 25 min.
utes past IL O'Clock the prisoner made his ap-
pearance, accompanied by Father Boyle, on
whose arm he leaned, receiving mean while
from the lips of the priest spiritual instruc.
ZION. He was dressed in small tight fitting
cavalry jacket, without trimmings, blue pam
taI0o2s, and military cap. He proceeded to
the hollow square, being preceded by a cor.
pOral and two men, and followed by the Pro-
vost Marshal and the officers of the prison; the
solemn procession with measured step, march
ing to the Old Capitol prison. The prisoner
was left in the hall few minutes WITH Father
Boyle, while the guard and others Eaade the
The guard, Tumbering about 100 men, were
drawn up on the north and south side of the
prison yard; while on the east side against
the kitchen) was the barricade, in front of
which the coffin Of the prisoner was laid The
firing party was composed of twelve picked
men from the 18th V. r, O., Col. Mansfield
under the command Of Lieut. Osbourne, and
were marched into the enclosure. Two OF the
muskets OF this party were not loaded ,accord,ng
to custom, and OF course II was not known who
held them. When the party marched in fou-
- r fra fhoS
in case OF the first fire failing to Kill they might
be ready to finish the req uirernents of the order
AT about 70 minutes to II, she prisoner, still
accompanied by the three soldiers and Father
Boyle, walked with firm and quick step in
the rear OF the guard, on the north side of the
yard, and stopped Immediately in front of the |
coffin, and turning towards the firing party,
he remarked that they were too distant The |
party were moved forward, and took their |
stations about II or Is PAGES from the coffin. |
The prisoner Chased bis hands, during which |
time the proceedings OF the court martial in |
The case were read by Col. Ingraham, but to |
which the prisoner seemed Indifferent. He |
Father Boyle, and at the close OF the /
reading he took his leave The soldiers
who had accompanied him to the place /
lis eyes, when he motioned that he did not |
wish the bandage put on. His wish was com. |
Piled with, but his hands were tied behind his |
back with handkerchief, and he then was |
directed to move behind the coffin and knsel, !
nut the position of the coffin not seeming to suit
aim, he arose and walked to the foot Of the |
;effn, gently moving it that it might set level |
N the sawdust, with which that portion of the |
'ard was strewn. He then took his place, |
lneeling on the coffin. AT given signal the |
command was given, t'Ready-aim-fire ~ and |
he pieces were discharged simultaneously. |
The condemned man ell over on the right |
ide, and several parties, including Father
Boyle, hastenedsto the spot, but his eyes were |
liked, and in q few moments he was dead. Dr.
}. M. Ford Immediately examined the body, |
md found that Sc Feral balls mad passed through |
he breast, one Of which must have passed |
1ery near the heart.
The body was removed to the dispensary,
r here it was placed in the coffin, and it will
'e delivered to Rev. Father Boyle, who will
zee 1t respectfully interest,".
FROM THE RAPPAHANNC X.
We learn that the rebels have very re Gently !
established their picket lines along the Rap.
river. It is believed in that vicini-
y that it has been done for the better protec