The Yale expositor., 1901-11-29

v y all wars the crime OF desertion
Is the most detestcd among sol
diers. and offenders seldom cs-
cape the penalty of death called
for by military law. when an army Is
OH duty In the field and In the pres
ence OF an enemy. There were more
executions for this offense In the Fed
oral Army In the Civil War than one
not familiar with it's inside history
would credit. Most OF these deserters
Were men who. belonging 20 the GRIM
inal classes, took to bounty jump
Ing" as n change from burglary and
pocket picking. But there were a few
instances where deserters were Inn
PEELED 20 leave their colors by motives
which lent an air OF romance TO the
fate they rlsked.
When General Sheridan began his
famous operations in the Shenandoah
Valley. during the month OF August.
1864. nc was reinforced by two d.
visions of cavalry, led by Generals
Wilson and Merritt. part of the Nine
teenth Corps. under General Amory,
and all OF the Sixth Corps. commanded
by General Wright. Having crushed
Early's forces In the battles OF Win
chester and Cedar Greek thc latter
being the scene of Little Pills" Ia
nous ride. the Sixth Corps returned
90 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 n Pennsyl-
yania regiment and entered the Con
federate lines. Announcing n willing
ness TO enlist under the Southern dag
these misguided men only stipulated
that they be sent TO some other point
I'm the field OF hostilties. Their re-
quest being considered "A reasonable
one. they were transferred TO General
Gordon's division. then fighting In the
Confederate trenches that defended
the city OF Petersburg.
In October. 1864. the United States
Government offered pardon and im-
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 In
midair.
Among the first 20 embrace this offer
were the three Sixth Corps men, who
thus hoped TO escape military service
and hardship. Unfortunately FOR them
the Sixth Corps had meanwhile ar
rived I'm General Modes lines. and
their own regiment happened to be
on guard over the "deserters' corral
when they came through the lines
Being M once detected. all three were
placed I'm strict confinement, tried by
court.martlal. and sentenced 10 be
hanged. soldiers death by bullet be
Ing denied them. because OF their en-
lIstment In the Confederate service.
Three days before the ore fixed fol
their execution l was surprised by the
receipt OF note from the officer com
manding the Sixth Corps proves
guard. requesting me 10 call at hli
quarters. on my arrival ! learne,
that one OF the condemned men wishc,
60 see me In private.
Shackled hand and foot. the pris0ne
was led stumbling into a tent tina
was surrounded by sentinels. and per
mission was given me 10 enter. Tn
man who was TO suffer n shameful
death was fine specimen of manhoo'
and q was difficult TO conceive HOY
be could have been induced 20 TAX
such awful risks.
II have n favor TO ask OF you. sir.
be began In n low. modulated voice
II know there Is no hope for me; bui