The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-02-17
A DES0RTER SHOT.
Account OF the observation-disclosures Of
Governors Island.

From the New York Evening Post, Feb. 8.
10 A deserter named James Devlin was
shot at Governors Island this afternoon.
He deserted several times from the army,
and afterwards enlisted in the navy,
where be was finally arrested. He was
taken to Governors Island, tried by q
court-martial, and sentenced Ito be shot,
General Dix approving the finding of the
court. - +. 'st -E " -
Devlin was about five feet nine inches
high, of compact form, and about thirty
years of age. He first enlisted in the
army under his own name, but deserted,
and afterwards enlisted under the name
of Patrick Diamond. 4c,s Ca-
The circumstances connected with the
prisoners arrest are full of interest. They.
are; however, but illustrations OF the old
story of mans faithlessness and womans
revenge The prisoner having become
possessed of large amount of money by
these frauds, INDUCED in constant 6ssipa-
ton. 1t is stated that he commenced the
business of bounty-jumping three years
since, and was lured to continue in it by
it's vast profits and light risks at that time.
His ill-gotten wealth led him to forsake
his home, and his wife, with three or four
children, found herself deserted by him
Despite her entreaties, he refused to
live with her, and she became prey to
poverty. In the meantime, her husband
lived with another woman, on whom he
lavished the proceeds of his perilOus en-
terprises. 4 q =
Having found no hope of redress, and
her patience becoming exhausted at the
humiliating and INDECENT position she was
forced to occupy, she resolved to rid the
mistress of her lover if the act involved
even the death of her husband.
Her resolve was soon put into practice.
She informed an officer Of the offence of her
husband, enumerated his assertions and
bis base course OF life, and he was at once
arrested. The witnesses of bis guilt were
then forthcoming, and his wife's wrongs
were avenged in his trial and death He
had been married three years to her.
On Wednesday the order for his execu-
ton was received by Col. Mumford, of the
Eighth Artillery in command on Govern
or's Island. The arrangements in carry
ing out the order were excellent, and
every precaution was taken to avoid con-
fusion. The time appointed was between
the hours of twelve and two O'Clock this
afternoon.
During the morning several members
of Gen. Dix's staff went to the island to
witness the execution. At twelve O'Clock
Mrs Devlin, with companion, went to
the island to see her husband, having re-
ceived pass for that purpose. She APP
peared 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
flic.ed on him if he were not executed.
When she reached the island the Pros
vost Marshal gave her permission to have
an interview with Devlin. Her lamenta-
tons we're loud and exceedingly painful to
all who were within hearing. t t
At about one O'Clock the guard entered
the "garrison," where the prisoner was
confined. At this point the cries of the
woman were frantic. She called upon
"God to look down upon her poor Or
phans.o The criminal was placed in the
centre of the guard, and with the priest on
one side and his wife on the other, he was
taken out of the garrison to the plateau in
the centre of the island, where the band
and soldiers were stationed. He was ia
ken close to his coffin and directed to take
his farewell of his wife. This he did with
out showing emotion. -
There was no expression of fear, on Dew.
Inns face. His features were set, and be
manifested degree Of stolidity much be-
yond that ordinarily shown by criminals
about to be executed. -.
Close to the coffin the final prayers
were said: The priest stood by Devlin,
and the devotional exercises occupied
about half an hour. &c
During this time the firing party were
drawn up in front of the prisoner.
At ten minutes of two O'Clock white
bandage was placed over the prisoner
eyes, and he knelt in front of his coffin
facing the soldiers. For three minute:
the wretched man knelt there, in the pres.
ence Of thousand persons, but he did
not falter, although many of the specta-
tors held their breath in suspense. At las,
the order was given, and ten Of the twelve
men forming the firing party discharged
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