Middletown transcript., 1868-07-18

try him. In less than an hours time nc
was convicted as spy. His own con-
fcssion, without the papers that were
found on his person, would have done it
alone.
He said his name was Joseph Carol,
and that he was a native of Baltimore,
Maryland, and further acknowledged that
he belonged to the Confederate army, and
was employed in the secret service.
When he had been found guilty by the
court-martial, Col Harris arose from his
scat,and said Joseph Carroll, you have
been convicted as spy You have had a
fair though rude trial, but it is really more
than you deserved. You should have
been hung to the nearest tree, as soon as
caught! Consider that you have been
dealt with according to military law.
will now pass your sentence: You will be
shot this afternoon at sunset, which gives
you all day to prepare for death Men,
conduct the prisoner back to the guard
tent: : and Sergeant Hawk, see that he is
doubly guarded"
The day was passing quickly by, the sun
was low in the western sky, and in Har
ris's camp preparations were being made
| for the execution.
A rude pine coffin, constructed from
some boards torn from fence near by,
was placed on the ground, and Carol
brought forth. He hnd been very silent
up to an hour before sunset, but at that
time change came over him, and sending
for Col. Harris, he implored him to have
mercy and pardon him, at least until he
was better prepared to die. The comman-
der shook his head. The prisoner then
told the colonel of his young wife and child
in Baltimore; Of the sorrow and misery
that would surely fall upon them, when
they received the news of his death, and
implored the colonel again to spare his
life, but to no purpose. lie would be
shot at sunset, the commander sternly told
him, and not an hours grace would be
granted him!
Downtown sank the sun, bright and
red, till it was very, very low in the
West. Carol was seated upon his rude
coffin, and handkerchief bound tightly
over his eyes.
Captain Linton, by his supcrior's orders,
chose ten men from the ranks, and ranged
them in line not more than ten PAGES from
Carol; and then took a handkerchief from
his pockct-thc dropping of which was to
be the signal for the men to fire.
"Bc ready, men p Linton said in low
voice &C aim at his heart, and fire the mo-
mcnt | give the signal"
He stepped back and was about to drop
the handkerchief, when the man on the
end of the line nearest him dropped his
musket to the ground and stepped away.
"Man, what do you mean by this p the
captain asked, catching him by the arm.
"Pick up your gun and take your place
again"
"NeverW returned the man cmphati-
ically.
"Why mott" Linton asked, growing
angry.
"Because hc-tho man that sits on yon-
der cofIin-is my brothcrl Would you
have me shoot him p /.
"Your name is Carroll" said the cap
tain, removing his hand from the mans
arm. "'You will be excused, and l will
pick out another man to take your place. "
"Why this delay, Captain Linton p
Numbered Harris from his horse close by.
''Lot the execution ,bc over With
The captain chose another man from the
ranks, and was about to place him on thu
spot lately occupied by the prisoners bro
! ther, when Federal scout, his horse Gov
cred with sweat and foam, rode rapidly in
to the camp, exclaiming:
I "There's large body of rebel cavalry
a within half mile of this camp! You'll
be attacked in less than ten minutes. I've
had a race for life! !'
Postpone the execution p shunderet
the colonel ''and be ready to receive the
enemy Captain FELTON,, get your men in
: to the saddle Immediately and ascertain
v the size of this body of rebel cavalry be-
: fore they are upon us! Don't let tha
prisoner escape, Sergeant Hawk, or III
string you up to treeP'
: The body Of Confederate cavalry proved
e to be much smaller than the Federal scou
: had reported and after slight skirmisf
e with the Union cavalry they retreated in
j body. No one was killed, and only two
d men slightly wounded in the skirmish
both of whom belonged to Captain Felton'l
!, company.
: As the night was as dark as its prede
cessor9s Colonel Harris concluded to post
G pone the execution of Joseph Carol til
i the next day.
d A drizzling rain commenced to fall al
n hour before midnight, and theEwhole camI
y was shrouded in drcary blackness. A darl
If form was stealing quietly through th'
camp. Every few moments the form paus
d ed and apparently tried to penetrate tn
a dense darkness with his gaze-for it wa
e the form of man-for second Of time
+ and then sped onward.
]. Soon the man reached the prison-tent
: where two sentinels were posted; and thei
laying his hand lightly on one of thu
!, guards shoulders, said in low voice
n How goes it, Jim r
e !" 1t don't 60 very well, Jim returned
d wiping the rain from his face. = It's
If bad night to be on guard and as I've jus
- ls.Ir 4r.ss