The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1865-05-19
CAPTURE and Execution Of Bush
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ofthe nashville unidn.

rs-rs4roufep-s q tie Nashville Nnian.
PULASKI, TrsE, Msy -, 1866.
Noticing an account in one of the
Nashville papers Of the murder OF Mr..
Wilson, and two Or three other persons,
near Florence, Alabama, by gang Of
bushwhackers. j send you an account
Of the capture and execution OF part
of the cut threats, by a scouting party
from the sth Michigan cavalry, which
left this place some ten days ago, under
command Of Capt, John Il. Riggs.
Arriving in the vicinity of Florence
and getting some little information
from the citizens Of their whereabouts,
and al the particulars Of the disboli-
cal murder, the Captain set about 10
entrsp them. 1t seemed difficult at
first 10 get any trace or clue TO their
hiding places, and for q time it looked
di5couraging, but perseverance and
zhrewdness finally triumphed, and two
Of the most noted Of the gang were cap
tured-John Campbell and Charles
Oliver. Both Of these individuals-or
rather tends in human formal the
breaking out of the war joined the
rebel army, and alter the occupation OF
the State by our troops deserted the
rebels and icined the Federal army,
aud, finally, deserted and went to bush
whacking, robbing, and marauding, In
,onnection with band OF fifteen more
desperadoes. Campbell lives in Flor
euce. and his family is said TO be one
OF the first IN the place though Of secesh
proolivities Oliver lives in the vicini-
ty Of Florence and Is also ofrespectable
parents
After their capture, Capt Riggs insti-
tuted an examination the affair, and
the citizens in and about Florence, were
called in to give in evidence for or
s.aai,si tbsr, The testimony produced
showed them TO Ice the most hardened
villains, and cold blooded mUrderers
On Gods foo.stool Not only did they
commit murder for the sake of plumber
hut for personal qualification Several
instances were brought up in the evi-
dence where they had ravished defence
less women, knocking them down in
the most brutal manner if they resist
FL A bright mulatto girl, almost white
testified that Oliver knocked her down
with the but Of his pistol, and then ra-
wished her. She exhibited the bruise
OF her head which had not yet healed
After The evidence was all given in the
Captain and all the officers present, de-
cided that they were guilty Of the crime
OF murder, robbery And rape, and or
dercd that they should be shot without
any further ceremony. They were con-
Quoted one mile ont OF town on the mi
GtaIy road, under q guard in charge of
Lieuts. J. 5 Cline and Michael Doyle,
and were there executed in the manner
ordered
BEFORE the execution, and wheu they
saw that their fate Wss determined
they confessed their guilt They claim
Ell that they were with the party that
murdered Wilson, but did not do the
deed themselves. They acknowledged
being implicated in more crimes than
the evidence convicted them ofand felt
that they deserved death They were
csused TO kueel down, when the fatal
command was given make ready"
take aim, "rIRE, and their souls
wss ushered into eternity. Their bodies
were turned over % the citizens for
burial, aud our hoys again went in pur-
suit oil more OF the gang. Two others,
Francis Gibson and Tom Bridges were
killed. Captain Riggs being unable 70
find any more Of the cutthroats. and
as his time TO report back here had ex-
pired be returned. To-day 1t Col WI
Buck goes out with 200 men, and will
remain at Florence sometime 10 rid
the country Of these desperadoes. The
country in that vicinity has been under
the complete control of this gang Of
outlaws tor a long time, and the people
are praying for Federal troops to pro
teot them. The state OF things there is
certainly disoOuraging 10 those peace.
ably inclined, and every effort ought 10
be made 20 give the people an opportu-
Eity to establish civil law.
The only way 10 deal with these out
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