The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1892-06-03
WINTER QUARTERs-Two DESERT
ERS EXECUTED = MARTINS BAT
TERY-sOLDIERs RE-ENLIsTING.
HEADQUARTERS Sd DIVISION, 9TH
CORPS,
Dec. 10Th. 1853,

CORPS,
Dec. 10th, 1858.
The invincible Army of the Potomac is
still as motionless as an army in Winter
quarters can be. There is nothing
transpiring to disturb the serene monot-
ony of the daily routine of camp life.
The long trains of ambulances are neatly
packed, their blood-stained cushions are
cold and deserted, and their doors cape
for the reception of the bleeding brave.
No ragged, gaunt crowds of rebel pris-
oners, straggle under guard through our
lines, en- route for the "Old CapitaP' or
any other of Uncle Abraham's comfort
able hotels in Washington. No startling
special order will now lend its magic aid
to ruffle the unusual smoothness of this
martial sea, and thereby furnish food for
inquisitive Qlid-nuncS. Beyond the con-
slant departure and return of officers on
short leaves of absence, no commotion is
observable.
EXECUTION OF TWO DEsERTERs.
One of those thrilling scenes that so
often occur in all well-dlsciplined armies
took place yesterday afternoon, between
and o'clock, viz, military execu-
ton. Two unfortunate men paid the
severe penalty of their rash crime-de-
sertion. Private John league, Co, A,
9TH Vermont, and Private Geo. Blowers
Co. A, End Vermont Regiment, having
been tried before a General Court-Mar-
tial, of which Col. d. d. Bidwell, 10th
New York, and Major John Fryer, 43d
New York Volunteers, were Presidents,
for desertion, and found guilty, every
member of the Court concurring therein,
were sentenced to be shot to death with
musketry.
The doomed men, at 2f O'clock, were
conducted from their quarters under a
military guard to two ambulances, which
were in readiness to convey them to the
place of execution. With a firm and
steady military step they marched to the
ambulances, each one taking his seat be-
hind the plain pine coffin, into whose ST.
lent, empty chambers they were so soon
were arranged, the End Division, 9th
Corps, commanded by Brig-Gen. Howe,
took up its line of march, preceded by
the excellent band belonging to Gen.
Neil's Brigade. The heavens were hung
with black clouds, which seemed to
scowl upon the terrible panorama of life
and death passing beneath their shadow,
as the solemn notes of the funeral dirge
were echoed through the cherries, DESC
late valleys of Virginia. AS the mourn
full caravan crawled slowly over the hill
tops, the keen, piercing wind howled pit
iously, adding to the agony of the bitter
hour. The roads were very muddy, and
all the elements seemed at war with
each other, for while on the march few
drops of rain descended to deepen the
pail. The muffled beating of the drum
and the death notes of the band were
broken only by the slow cadence of
the martial column and the rumbling of
the ambulances. Breathless silence was
maintained throughout the march, each
soldier appearing to realize the terror of
the scene. After march of a mile and
half the division was halted and formed
into three sides of hollow square. The
prisoners alighted, and walked within a
few feet of the two new-made graves
which yawned at the side of their cotfins.
The band ceased, and two platoons, fif-
teen men in each, with loaded muskets,
were drawn up in line, ready at the given
signal to open wide the portals of the
tomb. Lieut.-Col Newton Stone, Act
ing Assistant Inspector on Gen. Howe's
staff. stepped forward to the condemned
men and asked them if they had any
thing to say to the division. league said
he had nothing to say. Blower desired
to see his brother, but he was not pres
emit. Chaplain Mack of the 3rd Yer
mont, attended Blower, and offei ed up a
most touching and fervent prayer for the
soul of the prisoner. Chaplain Hale, of
the 9Th Vermont Regiment, read a por-
ton of the Episcopal burial service, and
| administered spiritual consolation to
! league. Everything being in readiness
for the final scene, the prisoners were or
| dered to kneel on their coffins. league
who manifested throughout the entire
ceremonies an entire absence of fear
mixed with a stubborn, Independent
recklessness, fell heavily upon his knees
throwing his cap with violence upon the
ground, and causing the empty coffin tt
echo with dull, heavy sound. Blower
looked around, and seeing a stake driver
| into the ground near his coffin, he very
stocially hung his cap upon it, and theI
knelt on his coffin, both culprits facing
their executioners. The sluggish silence
was then disturbed by the horse word O
commadd-"Fire!" A shudder passed
through the ranks, few short struggles
of the dying, and almost ere the smok
of the musketry had passed away thes
thoughtless men had surrendered up al
indications of life. The dreary waste, ol
all sides strewn with the decaying car
casses of horses and mules, intermingle,
with the skeletons of animals who's
bones lay in little scattered piles, bleach
ing in the sun-every surrounding
breathed melancholy, and, untiling
formed vast sepulcher. 1 should stat
that the prisoners were not blindfolded
this being done only where a request t
that effect is made by the condemned
Special Correspondence Of a Nelo Yor
Paper, 1868.