The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1884-02-15
Once Condemned to be Hanged.

John Boyle was sentenced to be
hanged In Williamsburg, Va, In 1868 tor
killing an off er, and he escaped from
confinement. He was met in New York
by former comrade in arms about az.
teen years ago, where he was working
in boiler shsp, and afterward hed the
city, fearing, IL is supposed, that he
would be rearrested and executed. He
had relatives living in New York and
brother Of his is an employe of rail-
road in Jersey City. He has been
living under an assumed name in the
west, and has written to his relatives
here at regular intervals. They received
letter from him last week. He was
then working as miner at Crested
Butte, COL, in the mine where the dis
astrous explosion occurred on Jan. "a.
His relatives believe he was one of the
fifty victims of that disaster.
Boyd was member Of Pen nsylvania
regiment in Gen. J.J. Wistar's command
at Williamsburg, Va, in 1868. He was
detailed ss one Of the provost guard of
that place under Lieut.. w. W. Disosway
was popular young officer. On Octo-
ber 13, 1853. he ordered Boyle under ar
rest for insubordination and disorGerly
conduct. Boyle in his anger raised his
musket and shot the officer dead. He
was arrested, tried convicted and sem
fenced to be hanged. Some delay in
the proceedings brought the day set for
his execution to February 7, 1864. He
was confined in Fort Magruder. On the
fort and no trace of him could be found.
The guard on duty ct the time was
convicted of being party to escape and
was shot.
The nearest approach to Richmond in
the early part Of 1864 by any portion of
the Union army was made by the COM
mand of Gen. Wistar from Williams
burgh, which is about sixty miles from
Richmond. Wistar's forces occupied
the peninsula which McCleilan's battles
had rendered famous. While the army
Of the Potomac was confronted on the
Rapidan by the forces Of Gen. Lee, that
part OF the peninsula between Williams.
burgh and Richmond was so free from
rebel soldiers that the circumstance ex-
cited no little commentin Wistar's camp.
Rebel deserters and Union refugees
from Richmond brought the one report
Gen. Wistar believing that by making q
sudden dash with sufficient force he
conld surprise the rebel capital, capture
1t, set the prisoners in Libby prison and
Castle Thunder free, siexe JEFF Davis,
burn the railroad bridge oyer the James
river, and hold the key to the situation,
sent Maj. Howard and Sergeant Plunkett,
two daring scouts, to obtain substantial
proof of the situation In Richmond.
They entered the rebel lines and re.
turned with . report that the stories Of
the city's defenceless condition were
true, the only force there beings q poor
~ equipped detachment of raw recruits.
At Q council Of war at whic:l oil the lead.
ing officers Of the command were pres
ent. Gen. Wistar's plan for capturing
ed to begin The movement on February
5. Wistar advanced with the First New
York mounted infantry, the Fifth and
Eleventh Pennsylvania regiments and
the District Of Columbia regiment of
cavalry. They marched to Bottoms
Bridge on the Chickshominy, forty
miles. whore they camped for the night. |
During the night Wistar was surprised
at reports brought from the pickets that
long lines Of rebel troops were filing |
down to the opposite bank Of the Chick. |
anominy, and taking position in old
earthworks thrown up by Gen. NcClel- |
Ian during his campaign on the Potomac. |
When morning broke the Union forces |
found themselves enfronted by . vastly |
superior force OF the enemy, who at |
once opened fire on the Union camp. /
Gen Wistar saw that his plans had been |
made known. In come way, to the en-.
envy, End all hope OF success for his /
movement was destroyed. UnprePared
for an enRa2ement on the field, he with. |
drew to Williamsburg.
How the rebels had learned Of Wis.
tar's expedition has never been made |
known with certainty. A robel prisoner |
however. taken after the disappoint- |
mont ct Bottoms bridge declared that |
man giving his name as John Boyle had,
been captured nearly dead from exhaus
ton and exposure. In their lines on the |
night Of February 2. He told them he |
was Q deserter from Wistar, snd gaye
them, % the rebel prisoner said, the in.
tallisenee that enabled them to throw . |
strong force In the way of Gen. Wistar,
and thus thwart what might have been
one Of tina most brilliant and important
movements Of the army during the war.
Rev. r. II. Pullman asks this question
and answers II: "What ID tho secret
charm that holds ~ % ID dramatically