The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1886-02-18
A SICKENING SIGHT.
The Execution Of Two Bounty-Jumpers,

To THE EDITOR: There is one subject upon
which writers, both of history and reminis-
cences of the war, have been strangely SILENT
namely, executions in the army. | don't know
whether the subject is too gloomy, or other
notable events overshadowed them, but to me
they were very exciting events. l will try and
relate one, which left a particular impression
on my mind. One morning in September, 1863,
the Third Division, Second Corps, was ordered
to prepare for execution. Before we had COM
pieted our securing and polishing one of those
sudden Virginia thunder storms came up. The
rain came down in torrents, tents were blown
down, and everything was dire confusion for
while, but about IL o'clock the clouds broke
away, the sun came out. and order was soon
restored. At o'clock the division was formed
and marched over near wood. 1t was soon
formed in hollow square, with one end left open
for the firing party, and the men stood at ease.
Soon the mournful strains of the Dead March
were heard and a solemn procession was seen
coming up through the center of the square.
Attention " rang out and the ranks stood
rigid and silent. Two ambulances, surrounded
by guards, contained the condemned men, who
were two bounty jumpers who, having secured
the bounty, had deserted from one of the regi-
ments belonging to the division. They had been
caught tried by coart-martial, and condemned
to death.
Slowly the procession moved up to the open
end of the square, where it was halted. The
collins were taken out and placed at the head
of two new made graves, and the condemned
men seated upon them. The firing party of 26
men were formed about ~ PAGES in front of
them. The General of the division and his
staff, mounted, were at the right of the platoon.
The culprits were now ordered to stand up, and
the findings of the court martial were read to
them. The Chaplain then offered prayer.
Their hands and feet were bound, a bandage
placed over their eyes, and they were again
seated upon their collins. The officer of the
firing party now gave the orders, Attention!
Front Rank-Ready Aim !-Fire!" Oh!
what 4 miserable fiasco, only about One-third of
the guns went off, and most of them with q
spluttering Kissing noise. l suppose the guns
had been loaded in the morning and then
stacked and the rain had wet the powder.
don't think either of the men were hit. Again
the order rang out, Rear Rank, Ready Aim =
Fire!" with the same results One of the men
sank slowly on his coffin in a fainting fit, the
other tore his hands loose, reached up and
pulled the bandage from the eyes, and gazed
wildly around. The Provost Marshal was evil
IDENTIFY in a quandary, but novel idea seemed to
strike him. He ordered up one of his men, whose
gun did not explode at the first fire. TO finish
the man who was still sitting up. He placed
the muzzle of his gun close to the condemned
mans head, and the gun missed fire. Another
was ordered up. Again the gun missed fire.
Another and another was ordered up until five
had tried, and still gun could not be fired.
The miserable man on the coffin buried his
face in his hands at each attempt, awaiting the
awful result. Groans and misses now arose
from the men in ranks, attesting their horror
of the bungling work. A short, stern command
from the General, of End this, sir! and the
Provost Marshal walked up to the man, placed
the muzzle of his navy revolver to the culprit's
head and blew his brains out. They now turned
their attention to the other, who was still
lying on his coffin. A number Of guns were
snapped at his breast before one exploded. And
thus ended the lives of the two bounty jumpers,
who had fearfully expiated their crimes.-T.
S. POTTER, Co. II, 9Th o. Dixon, o.