Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1891-02-18
Reprieyed Too Late.

being in the winter of 1864, there were
many desertions from the rank and
file. While it was at all times true
of the Confederate soldier that he did
not feel the bonds of the enlistment
holding him as tightly as the Union
soldier did, the number of absentees
at this time was really appalling. 1t
was at a time when ever ybody felt
blue. We were ragged, half-fed, half
armed, and could see nothing hop etul
in the spring campaign.
During December and January
little attention was given to the mat
ter Of absentees, as it was known that
most Of them intended to return after
a brief visit to their families, but
when February came the reign began
to tighten. 1t was not long before
the general order was issued to the
effect that future deserters must ex-
pect the full penalty provided in army
regulations. This was check suffici-
ent on the great majority, but out-and,
out desertions continued to occur.
One night, when l was ergeant Of
picket post well advanced towards
the Union lines, instructions were re-
ceived to keep a sharp watch for de-
serters. Not more than an hour later
we made a capture. A boy about
eighteen years old, private 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 picket he SEEM
ed to look upon the matter as joke.
1t was only when he had been escort
ed 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. 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
be shot he was placed under my
charge. l 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 answer
ed 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 be.
fore the execution that he became
talkative. AS I carried in his supper
he asked:
"Seargant, did you ever SEQ de-
serter shot ?"
"Yes."
"How is it done?"
"By file of men. Six of my squad
have been detailed in your case"
"Will they blindfold mef
"Yes."
"Will 1 stand up?"
"No, you will be seated on your
coffin"
He spoke with more curiosity than
concern, and 1 was glad to see it. So
long as he had to die it was better to
show brave front. l sought to en-
courage him in this, but he replied:
"Oh, you needn't be afraid Of my
breaking down. All / ask of you is
to make quick work of il"
Next morning when he was march.
ed out the air was raw and the sky as
gloomy as pail. When brought
him out he was the cooler of the two.
I was nervous and trembling, while
he was absolutely cool and self-possess-
ed.
"Is it time ?" he asked, as l went
n. ttf
"Yes."
"Well, I'm ready"
"How do you feel ?"
"I'm all right"
When we reached the grounds
which had been selected l saw that
about six thousand men had been
marched up to witness the execution.
The boy looked about him with
little 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.
stood there with him while the
firing party retreated few PAGES and
came to "front." Then an officer
came forward and read the charge
and the findings. All this time / had
hold Of the boys hand, we standing
shoulder to shoulder. There was no
tremhlino hut his Aesh was en- hot