Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1886-03-04
Reprioved, but an Idiot.


.s--------s---------..-
RapriOved, but an idiot.
One night, when | was sergeant ola
picket post well advanced toward the
Union lines, instructions were receiv-
ed to keep sharp watch for deserters.
Not more than anhour later we made
a capture. A boy, about eighteen
years old private 10 Georgia reg
iment, had left camp with theiutention
of visiting his home. which was then
inside the Union lines. He was not
ever bright, and when brought in by
a picket he seemed TO look upon the
matter as a joke. 1t was only when
he was escorted to camp and put
under guard, charged with trying to
desert 10 the enemy, that he seemed
to realize the gravity Of his situation.
A court martial made short work
Of his case. The only defence 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 have been some
thing in this appeal had he not ad
mitted that he knew his home to be
within the Union lines, and that there
was strong probability Of his being
captured by the Federals.
From the hour he was sentenced to
beshot he was placed under my charge.
] think it was about week from the
finding Of the court martial to the day
of the 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 the
execution that he became talkative.
AS l carried in his supper he asked:
Sergeant, dad you ever see de-
serter shot ?"
"Yea."
How is it done?"
"By a file of men. Six Of my squad
have been detailed in your case.
"Will they blindfold me ?"
eyes"
"Will l stand up ?"
mo, you will be seated on your
coffin"
he spoke with more curiosity than
concern, and ! was glad to see it. So
long as he had to die it was better to
show a brave front. I sought to en-.
courage him in this, but he replied
ooh, you needn't be afraid Of my
breaking down, All ask Of yon i
to make quick work Of it.
Next morning when he marched
out the air was raw and the sky was
gloomy as pail. When | brought
him out he was the cooler Of the two
/ was nervous and trembling, while
he was absolutely cool and self-pos'
sessed
us it timer" he asked as / went in
Eyes"
well, Tn ready"
How do you feel?"
I'm all right
When we reached the ground which
had been selected, / saw that about
six thousand men had been marched
up to witness the execution. The
boy looked about him with considera-
bic curiosity, but showed no signs Of
weakness. When we reached the
open grave and the coffin resting in
front Of it, he caught quick breath,
and something like terror could be
read in his eyes.
I stood there with him while the
firing party retreatod few PAGES and
came to "front" Then an office,
came forward and read the charge
and finding. All this time / had hold
Of the boys hand we standing shout.
der to shoulder. There was no trsmb.
ling, but his hosh was 50 hot that Il
seemed to blister mine.
When the officer had finished read.
ing he stepped away leaving Us alone
Il must blindfold you, aaid as
produced a handkerchief.
"Yes."
"You are going to die like a brave
man.
u told you would.
! placed the handkerchief ever biz
eyes and tied the ends al tho back Of
bis head, and then, taking his arm,
whispered
"You must sit down.
eyes"
Il am going now
"Good-by to you, Sergeant. Let il
4 tl