The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-11-20
Duuble DeserteF.
A War Romance That Began in Sweden
and Ended on Federal Scaffold.
DY MAI. GEORGE F. WILLIAMS.
DT MAI. GEORGE F. WILLIAMS.


diers, and offenders seldom es-
cape the penalty of death called
for by military law, when an army is
on duty in the field, and in the pres
ence Of an enemy. There were more
executions for this offense in the Fed
eral Army in the Civil War than one
not familiar with its inside history
would credit. Most of these deserters
were men who, belonging to the GRIM
NAL classes, took to bounty jump
Ing" as a change from burglary and
pocket picking. But there were few
Instances where deserters were i'm
3elled to leave their colors by motives
which lent an air Of romance to the
ate they risked.
When General Sheridan began his
famous operations in the Shenandoah
Valley, during the month of August.
1854, he was reinforced by two di-
visions Of cavalry, led by Generals
Wilson and Merritt, 4 part of the Nine
.eenth Corps, under General Amory.
md all of the Sixth Corps, commanded
by General Wright. Having crushed
Early's forces in the battles Of Win
chester and Cedar Greek (the latter
being the scene of Little Phiis" IA
nous ride, the Sixth Corps returned
to the lines OF the Army of the Po-
tomac, which was still pressing the
siege of Petersburg, Va, thus holding
Lee in leash.
While the Sixth Corps was in the
Shenandoah Valley. three men OF for
eign birth deserted from a Pennsyl-
vania regiment and entered the Con-
federate lines. Announcing willing
ness to enlist under the Southern flag
these misguided men only stipulated
that they be sent to some other point
in the field of hcstilities. Their re-
quest being considered a reasonable
one. they were transferred to General
GorGon's division, then fighting in the
Confederate trenches that defended
the city of Petersburg.
In October, 1864. the United States
Government offered pardon and I'M
munity to all Confederate soldiers who
would surrender and take the oath
Of allegiance Copies of the announce
ment to that effect were scattered
throughout General Lees lines by
means Of kites, trigger attachments
releasing the bundles of papers il
midair.
Among the first to embrace this offer
were the three Sixth Corps men, vino
thus hoped to escape military service
and hardship. Unfortunately for them
the Sixth Corps had meanW aile ar
rived in General Meqde's lines, and
their own regiment happened to lie
on guard over the "deserteTs' corral
when they came through tie lines.
Being at once detected, all three We're
olaced in strict confinement. tried by
court-martial, and sentenced to be
hanged. a soldiers death by bullet be-
inc denied them, because of their en-
tistment in the Confederate service.
Three days before the one fixed for
their execution l was surprised by the
receipt Of a note from the officer COM
manding the Sixth Corps provost
guard, requesting me to call at his
quarters. On my arrival | learned
that one of the condemned men wished
to see me in private.
Shackled hand and foot, the prisoner
was led. stumbling into 4 tent that
was surrounded by sentinelS. and per
mission was given me to enter. l ne
man who was to suffer shameful
death was a fine. specimen OF manhood
and 4 was difficult to conceive how
be could have been induced to take
such awful risks.
"I have a favor to ask Of you, SIT,
he began in low, modulated voice
1T know there is no hope fer me; but
# YOU will grant my request 1t VIII
enable me to die more calmly.
What do you want me to do:
asked.
"To write letter to the woman
love and send her the money belong
ing to me and on deposit IN Ne"
York savings bank.
"Certainly. 1 will carry out your
instructions faithfully"
"Thank you. Now let me tell yot
nv story. I am native or sweden
NV name is Oscar ---- ano "S
family live on farm rev miies
from Stockholm. Two years ago
,.,,o with vounp and pretty