Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1881-04-09
A LOTTERY OF DEATH.
A CHASTITY Story of MOsby's
Com ana and.


Weekly Times relates the following
story of the war as told TO him by
a soldier Of Mosby's command
ION arriving at Rectortown Va,
we found Col Mosby with full com.
mand drawn up in line, and he
himself in consultation with his
principal officers. One of these
finally advanced toward the squad
which guarded the Union prison
ers and gave orders to draw them
up in line. The adjutant then
rode forward and read an order
stating that seven of our men hav-
ing been recently hung by the en-
envy 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 ensued which
will be impressed upon my mem.
DRY until the day of my death. A
cry of anguish and CONSERVATION
arose from the unfortunate pris-
oners. Some implored the guard
to intercede with Col. Mosby and
have them excluded from the
drawing, two of them declaring
that they were merely suffers, and
not fighting men. never having
fired gun at a Southern soldier.
Others said they had been drafted
into the Federal army contrary to
their wishes. and were friendly to
the South. Others again express
ed a willingness to desert that
army and join our standard. While
this lempestuous appeal for life
was going on among these poor
fellows, the main body of prison
ers heard the awful sentence with
deep detection but sullen resolu-
ton.
''In the course of twenty min
utes, two officers 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 commenced,
the officer with the hat requiring
the right-hand prisoner to take
out ball, which when drawn he
handed to the other officer in at
tendance, who, on opening it pro-
nounced it to be either a blank or
otherwise. AT first several blanks
were drawn, then came marked
ball, which was drawn by a cav
airy soldier of Custsr's command
and hailing from Michigan. This
man very coolly remarked that
he was prepared to die for his
county.
"'Six men have. now heen
ORA M cried the officer, zone more
must come
THE next and last victim was a
drummer boy, who, upon being
informed of his fate, uttered the
most piercing cries, and, throwing
himself upon the ground, exclaim-
ed that he was only a drummer
boy with neither father nor moth
er, aud begged to be spared. So
greatly was the pity of the officers
excited that they Immediately ap-
piled to Col. Mosby to spare this
boy. He very promptly replied
that he did not know there was a
boy among the prisoners, and or
dered that he should be removed
and the drawing taken over again.
This was done, and on the second
drawing my friend, a lieutenant,
drew marked ball. / was shock
ed by this, and he was greatly dis
tressed, but exhibited courage
Gus resignation to his fate. Call.
ing 10 him soldier of his COM
pany who had also been taken
prisoner, he requested him to take
to his wife an empty pocket. book
and pencil case, saying these were
the only souvenirs ne had left
when condemned to execution,
and that his last thoughts were
with his wife and mother. was
deeply affected at his fate, and de-
sired 10 aSsiat him IL mail .