Juniata sentinel. [volume] (Mifflintown, Pa.) 1846-1873, 1871-05-10

all the sentences and imposed others of
lighter grade Subsequently desertions
becoming so frequnt as to seriously i'm
pair The discipline of the army. our Gen
erals found it absolutely essential to make
an example of some of the delinquents,
and had the regulations so changed that
the approval of the Commanding Gen
eral should be final in executing the
sentences of any court martial. The
President was consequently not advised
of the findings of court martial. unless
through an application for the exercise of
the parGoning power conferred upon him
by the Constitution of the United States
No doubt, too. he assented cheerfully to
the stern demands of war. which required
that some of the guilty parties should be
made terrible example of, If thereby
the discipline of the army could be i'm
proved, and others deferred from follow
ing in their footsteps But to accom-
plish this end it was necessary that the
now martyred President should not have
the issuing of the death warrant. How
sad to think that one whose gentle nature
revolted from taking life even in a lawful
manner, when the cul prit, under the laws
of his country, had no right to live,
should himself die by violence, without a
moments warning. when surrounded by
members of his family!
At an early hour in the morning, hav-
ing found the Congressional friend to
some extent relied upon. we went together
to the Presidential mansion and were
promised an interview as soon as the
President should appear in his office, and
it was not long until we stood in the pres
ence of the only man in the world who
could give the relief we sought. Glancing
at the papers. and asking US question or
two, he said
well, think there has been quite
enough of this shooting of our own boys
lately to meet the object intended, and l
viii interfere in this case
Then sitting down at his table, he
wrote on a slip of paper this despatch to
Gen. Meade:
Suspend, until further orders from
me, the execution of the death sentence
in the case of Joseph R"
"Take that said he, ITO the telegraph
office in the War Department, and ge1
Gen. Mead's acknowledgement of the
receipt of it and all will be right
Gen. Meade's reply was soon received
and we breathed freer and easier, having
no longer the responsibility of a fellow
mortal's fate hanging. at least partially
upon us. Although the dispatch ordered
only repreve, and not an unconditional
pardon, we felt certain that the "furthe
orders" from President Lincoln woult
never be issued, and practically i
amounted to an absolute pardon, whici
subsequent events fully confirmed. :
Joseph h not only escaped th'
ignominous derth to which he was con
signed, and all the other dangers of th'
war, but he still yes in Juniata county
; near the line of Franklin. and is doubt
less very grateful to his neighbors
through whose exertions the measure.
were inaugurased which saved his bosom
frcm being riddled by rifle balls from th'
guns of his ey ecutioners.
With slip ht embelishment. this plain
; narration of facts might be greatly ex
tended. but in this, as in many othe
cases, the exact ''truth is stranger thar
felton, ...........,..., j NJ. Z.