Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1886-01-28
REPRIEVED.

the Confederate soldier that he did not
feel the bonds of enlistment holding
him as tightly rs the Union soldier
did, the number of abscntees at this
time was really appalling. Ii was
time when every rybody felt blue. We
were ragged, half-fed, half-armed; and
could see nothing hopeful in tho spring
campaigns.
During December and January little
attention was given to the matter OF
absentees, as it was known that most
of them intended to return after q
brief visit to their families, but when
February came the rein began to
tighten. 1t was not long before q
general order was issued to the effect
. that future desertcrs must expect the
full penalty provided in army regula-
tons. This was check sufficient on
the great majority, but out-and-out
desertions continued to occur.
One night, when / was sergeant of
picket post we'll advanced toward the
Union lines, instructions were received
to keep q sharp watch for deserters.
Not more than an hour later we made
q capture. A boy about eighteen years
old, private in Georgia regiment,
had left camp with the intention of
visiting his home, which was then in
side the Union lines. He was not
over-bright, and when brought in by
picket he seemed to look upon the
matter as q joke. 1t was only when
he had been escorted to camp and put
under guard, charged with trying to
desert TO the enemy, that he 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.
Where might have been something in
this appeal 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 cap
tured by the Federals.
From the hour he was sentenced to
be shot he was placed under my
charge. think it was about a 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.
It was only on The night before the ex-
ecution that he became talkative.' As
I carried in his supper he asked:
Sergeant, did you ever see de-
serter shotp"
sYes."
"How is it donep"
"By a file OF men. Six of my squad
have been detailed in your case"
"Will they blindfold meP"
Eyes"
"Will l stand upP"
mo, you will be seated on your
coffin"
He spoke with more curiosity than
concern, and was glad to see ii. So
long as he had to die it was better to
show brave front. 1 sought to en-
courage him in this. but he replied:
sOh, you needn't be afraid of my
breaking down. All ask of you is to
make quick work of it. ;"
Next morning when he was marched
out the air was raw and the sky as
gloomy as a pail. When l brought
him out he was the cooler of the two.
was nervous and trembling, while he
was absolutely cool and selt-possessed.
s.Is it timep" he asked as l went in.
ssYes."
"Well, I'm ready"
SHOW do you feelP"
"pm all right." /"
When we reached tho grounds which
had been selected | saw that about
5000 men had been marched up to wit
ness the execution. The boy looked
about him with considerable 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 retreated few PAGES and
came to "front." Then an officer
came forward and read the charges
and the findings. All this time | had
hold of the boys hand, we standing
shoulder to shoulder. There was no
trembling. but his flesh was SO hot
that it seemed to blister mine. a
When the officer had finished read
ing he stepped away. leaving us alone.
81 must blindfold you," l said as I
produced handkerchief.
'sYes."
''You are going to die like brave
man."
II told you would"
Iplaced the handkerchief over, his
eyes and tied the ends at the back of
his head and then, taking his arm,
whispered:
'You must sit down"
'.Yes."
II am going now"
Goodbye to you. sergeant Let it
be over soon.
When | had reached the squad there
was nothing to wait for, and the orders
were issued:
"Ready!'
s.Aiml'
The command '.fire'' was just tremb-
ling on my lips when an officer waving
white handkerchief appeared behind
the prisoner. | ascertained, at a later
date, that none of the muskets were
loaded, but this fact was not even
known to the firing squad.
Ihe prisoner had been reprieved. |
advanced and broke the glad news to
him, and then removed the bandage
from his eyes and assisted him TO rise.
Great heavens, but what changed
He had smile on his face-the grin
Of an idiot! The light of intelligence