The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1886-02-16
RETRIEVED TOO LATE.
sOsIE OF THE HORRORS OF OUR L. TIE
CIVIL WAR.
A Little Story Of the War, Told by IN
Ex-KebeI.

ing in the winter of 1864, there were
many assertions from the rank and file.
While it as at all times rue of the
Confederate soldier that he did not feel
the bonds of enlistment holding him a.
tightly as the Union soldier did,
the number of absentecs at this
time was really appalling. It was
q time when everything felt blue.
We were ragged, half-fcd, half-armed;
and could see nothing hopeful in the
spring campaign.
During December and January little
attention was given to the matter of alb.
s%entees, as it was known that most of
them intended to return. after a brief visit
to their families, but when February
came the rein began to tighten. It was
not long before a general order was is
sued to the effect that future descrtcrs
must expect the full penalty provided in
army regulations. This was check suf-
ficient on the great majority, but out
a d-out assertions continued to occur.
One night, when L was sergeant of a
picket post we'll advanced towards the
Union lines, instructions were received
to keep a sharpwatch for dcscrtcrs. Not
more than an hour later VIC made a cap
ture. "A boy. about IS years old, a pri,
vatc in a Georgia regiment, had left
camp with the intention of visiting his
home, which was then inside the Union
lines. He was not over. bright, and
when brought in by a picket he seemed
to look upon the matter as a joke. 1t
was only when he had been escorted to
camp and put under guard, charged
with trying to desert to the enemy, that
re seemed to realize the gravity of his
situation.
A court-martial made short work of
his case. The only defense he set up
was that he was homesick and wanted
to see his mother, and that he surely
meant to return that same week. There
might ave been something in this ap
peal had he not admitted that he knew
his home to be within the Union lines,
and that there was a strong probability
of his being captured by the Federals.
From the hour he was ltenccd to be
shot he was placed under my charge. I
think it was,about q week from the find
ing of the court-maltial to the day of
his execution. For the first two or three
days the boy was like one struck dumb,
and he answered no questions. When
this state of mind wore off he spent
most of his time in weeping, praying
and writing letters. 1t was only on the
night before his execution that he be-
came talkative. AS I carried him his
supper he asked:
Sergeant, did you ever see a dcsertcr
shots"
eyes"
GLOW was it donc?"
'By a file of men. Six of my squad
nave been detailed in your case"
tsWil; thew blindfold meV
eyes"
"Will I stand upY
mo; you will be seated on your
coffin"
He spoke with more curiosity than
concern, and I was glad to see it. So
long as he had to die it was better to
showa brave front. l sought to en-
courage him in this; but he replied:
"Oh, you needn't be afraid of nv
breaking down. All 1 ask of you is to
make quick work of it,"
Next morning when he was marched
Outthe' air was raw and the sky as
gloomy as d pail. When 1 brought him
out he was the cooler of the two. I was
nervous and trembling, while he was
absolutely cool and self possessed.
rs it time?" he asked, as I went in.
eyes"
swell, I am ready"
"How do you feel2"
"Im all right"
When we reached the grounds which
had been selected I saw that about 6. 900
men had been marched up to witness
the execution. The boy looked about
him with considerable curiosity, but |
showed no signs of weakness. We
reached the open grave and the coffin
resting in front of it, he caught a quick
breath, and something like terror could
be read in his eyes.
! stood there with him while the fir
ing party retreatcd a few PAGES and
came to. a 'front." Then nm officer
came forward and road the charge and
the findings. All this time I had hold
OF tue boys hand, we standing shoulder
to shoulder. There was no trembling,
but his flesh was SO hot that it seemed
to blister mine.
When the officer had finished reading
he stepped away, leaving us alone.
II must blindfold you,"I said. as I
produced a handkerchief.
"Yes."
"iou are gong to die like a brave
man."
~ told you I would.
placed the handkerchief ovcl his ewes
and tied tho ends at the back. of his
head, and then taking his arm, I whis-
pered (:
"You must sit down."
eyes"
II am going now"
Goodbye to you, Sergeant. Let it
be over scon!"
When | Ind reached the squad there
was nothing to wait for, ana the orders
were issued:
"Rcadyr.,
I.Aimp
The command tthre', was iust frop