Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1881-03-05
A LOTTERY OF DEATH.


war as told to him by soldier OF Mosby's
command:
On arriving at Rectortown, Va, we
found Col. Mosby with full command
drawn up in line, and he himself In con-
sultation with his principal officers. One
of these finally advanced toward the squad
which guarded the Union prisoners and
gave orders to draw them up IN line. The
Adiutant then rode forward and read an
order stating that seven of our men having
been recently hung by the enemy, it was
determined that seven of the prisoners
should be hung in retaliation, and that lots
for these seven would Immediately be
drawn. A scene epsued which will be i'm
pressed upon my memory until the day of
my death. A cry of anguish and conster-
nation arose from the unfortunate prison
ers. Some implored the guard to inter-
cede with Col. Mosby and have them ex.
cluded from the drawing, two OF them de.
claring they were settlers, and not lighting
men, never having fired a gun at South
ern soldier Others said they had been
drafted into the Federal army against their
wishes and were friendly to the South.
Others again expressed willingness to de-
sert that army and join our standard.
While this tempestuous appeal for life was
going on among these poor fellows, the
main body OF the prisoners heard the aw-
full sentence with deep detection but sullen
resolution.
In the course of twenty minutes two Of
ficers approached, one OF them holding
hat in which had been placed number of
wads or balls of paper, corresponding with
the number of prisoners. Seven of these
wads were marked. The drawing then COM
menced, the officer with the hat requiring
the right hand prisoner to take out ball,
which when drawn he handed to the other
officer in attendance, who, on opening, pro-
nounced it to be either blank or other
WISE At first several blanks were drawn,
then came marked ball, which was drawn
by cavalry soldier of Clusters command
and .hailing from Michigan. This man
very cody remarked that he was prepared
to die for his country.
"Six men have now been drawn" cried
the officer with the hat lone more must
come"
The next and last victim was a drum
boy, who, upon being informed OF his
fate, uttered the most piercing cries, and,
throwing himself upon the ground, ex-
claimed that he was only a drummer boy
with neither father nor mother, and begged
to be spared. So greatly was the pity of
the officers excited that they Immediately
applied to Colonel Moshy to spare this
boy He very promptly replied that he
did not know there was boy among the
prisoners, and ordered that he should be
rem owed and the drawing taken over again.
This was done, and on the second drawing
my friend Lieutenant, drew marked
ball. | was shocked by this, and he was
greatly distressed, but exhibited a courage.
ous resignation to his fate. Calling to him
soldier of his company, who had also been
taken prisoner, he requested hlm to take to
his wife an empty pocket-book and pencil
case, saying these were the only souvenirs
he had left when condemned to execution,
and that his last thoughts were with his
wife and mother | was deeply affected
at his fate, and desired to assist
him if possible. Whispering to him,
asked if he was FTeemason,
to which he replied in the affirmative.
Immediately after this the guard was
ordered TO march off with the seven men
who had been condemned. We proceeded
with them Il being one of the guard) only
few hundred yards, when we were or
dered to halt and await further orders, and
in few moments freshly mounted squad
of fifteen men, commanded by Lieuten-
ant and equipped for raid, approached
us, with orders from Colonel Mosby that
we should be relieved from care of the
prisoners. Among the number OF this re-
I To of mir
to whom | related the circumstances IN
connection with the Lieutenant, and also
informed him that he was .treemason.
Being anxious to learn their destination l
questioned him about the recent order,
and he informed me that they had been COM
manded to take the prisoners across the
mountains and as near to Sheridan's head
quarters as possible, and there to hang
them. He promised me that he would DO
all that he could consistently with duty
in behalf of the condemned officer. They
then proceeded on their way, and several
DAYS elapsed before [ heard anything OF
their movements. On meeting with my
friend he gave the following particulars ::
50 They reached Paris on the same night
after leaving, and were there met by Cap
tain Mountjoy, who was returning from
the valley with a batch of prisoners. Be-
ing friend of Mountjoys, be took the
first opportunity OF informing him OF the
situation OF the Lieutenant, and also IN
formed him that he was Freemason, and
that he would try and save
him. Upon hearing this Mountjoy re-
quested an interview with the officer, and
after he crossed the street
to where he kept his own prisoners, and
returned with two OF them. These ne
presented to the officer in charge of the
prisoners as two of Clusters men, whom
he wished to substitute for the Lieuten-
ant. After some hesitation, and with the
condition that Mountjoy should assume
all responsibility, the exchange was made.
The officer, after returning earnest thanks
for his life, was hastily transferred to
batch of prisoners under the care of a
who was told to make all posi-
BILE haste to GordonvIlle. and especially to
get out of 'Moshy's dominions' before the
break of day. The others met their fate. "
A GEoRGIAT's HALE DOLLARS. A gen.
tleman IN this city, known as persistent
coin collector, has recently come into pos
session of lot of half dollars, from the
first year OF their coinage down to 1888.
A large proportion of these half-dollars are
uncirculated- that is, just as they came
from the mint press. There is curious
history connected with these coins. Dur.
ing the war, man living in Georgia had
saved from year to year great number of
half-dollars. lie seemed to have obtained
them direct from the mint. Alarmed by
rebel incursions. and equally afraid of a
visit from Union soldiers, he made them up
into several parcels, tied them securely in
bags, placed them into iron boxes and
buried the boxes in the ground. Some
four years ago he died. just previous to
his death he revealed to his heirs where
the money was buried, and they readily
found part of the treasure, but it was only
after long search that the whole was dis.
covered There were originally several
of these half dollars Aeriden
Conn. Republican.