The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1898-03-22
Captain r. M. Booker On
Trial for Treason.
The Sentence Was Not Death-An
Incident of the War of the
Rebellion.

civil war, and was assigned to the duty
Of Assistant Provost Marshal of Rich
mond. He had charge of the Union
prisoners, as they were brought in, and
exchanges. His expert
ences, in such a disagreeable position
were more interesting than those of
the soldiers on the battle field. He was
often urged to write an account of
them, but he usually replied: 1T is a
most disagreeable recollection, and
cannot do it,"
One of his duties was to superintend
the execution of Union spies OF these
Ii were hung under his direction. He
spoke of one instance when the pris-
oner requested that he might give the
signal for his own execution. 1t was
granted. He held his army hat in his
hand, while his arms were tied. After
a moment on the scaffold, he
flung his hat away, and the drop in
stantly fell Captain Booker took
special pains to preserve any memen>
toes, and letters which the prisoners
uCOiA GU W SChu W LLCll IL anu
had them duly forwarded. He did them
many kind services.
In the early part of the war, an
armed vessel with Confederate colors,
was captured by Federal cruiser. The
Washington Government declared her
to be piratical craft, and the officers
were tried and sentenced to death. On
hoo rino Of II procidopt Dauic Of opna
ordered six Union officers to be select
ed by lot from those confined in the
Libby prison. Captain Booker entered
the prison, summoned all of the officers
read them the order, and prepared lots
which he placed in hat. There were
six of them with the fatal mark on
them. One by one the officers stepped
forward and drew from the hat. Cap
tain Booker said that he suffered in>
tensely while the drawing took place.
All of those selected showed nerve, eS-
cepting one colonel in New York re-
giment. He lost control of himself,
and bitterly complained of his fate. The
officers selected were taken at once to
another place. One of them, an old
man, said: May | walk with you cap
tain? 1t is my last walk on earth" He
assented. Having placed them all in
another prison, he secured food and
stationery for them, and made them
comfortable. After 10 days confine-
ment, they were released, as word was
received that the Washington Govern
ment had rescinded the order for the
execution Of the Confederates.
While awaiting execution, they were
ever cheerful. Several spoke to him Of
their wives and children, with touch
ing earnestness. He said that at times,
he wished they could escape. Every
morning when he entered the room in
which they were confind, there was a
sudden silence and expectation Of the
word to prepare for execution. His
orders were to communicate no news to
them But he closely watched the
news, and when one morning he re-
marked quietly: "Your Government
seems to hesitate about hanging the
men they call pirates they stood up,
and thanked him quietly. He said that
when he met these brave men, his own
feelings gave way, until he thought of
his own comrades being executed al
rebel spies.
Years afterwards several of these
officers did him substantial services.
After the surrender of Lee, Captain
Booker was penniless in Richmond. His
home in Hampton, Va, was occupied
by negro fighters. He smuggled him.
self on board of transport, at the sug
e LNodoro1 nffinor 0-hnn he
had befriended. His means consisted Oh
so cents. A New York and Connect
cut regiment was ON board. While
standing alone, and as he thought un-
known to any one, he was approached
by a sentinel, who said: you axe I'M
der arrest, follow me-" He was taken
to the cabin, where around the large
table was grouped about 20 officers IN
uniform. with their swords upon the
table. 1t was a court martial. The
Judge advocate arose, and read charges
of treason and cruelty against him. He
was directed to plead. The perspera"
ton flowed down on his body His
voice became almost inaudible. He re-
piled: Gentlemen l am in your power
I cannot defend myself. l have no
money and no counsel. l only ask you
that you shoot me, as a soldier, and Go
not hang me. I wish those of your
army. whom l have befriended were
here to testify i'll my favor. / may be
guilty of treason, but not Of cruelty.
The court said: He admits treason
remove him, while the court deliber-
ates." He was removed, and waited
about Is minutes. He was again taken
to the court room. The members of ii
sat in silence. He grasped chair to
sustain himself The charges were
read, and he was found guilty. All in
the room were motionless and silent
He asked if he might speak. The pre-
siding officers refused permission, but
slowly rose, and said: You have been
found guilty of treason against the
Government of the United States. The
sentence Of this court is"-he paused fol-
thatyOu shall drink all the
champagne that can be poured down
your throat during the next "a hours
Steward produce the bottles!" Captain
|11I ~, Cot no