Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-07-10
He Was Determined to Die.

our civil war mad many purple teS-
taments" that showed its ruthlessness
and wolfish cruelty, but these are wars
main features, aud the following only
proves it: Death for some had no
terrors; for renown and shoulder straps
some risk it. or through defense of
principle or remorse some seek IL. The
First Tennessee enlisted for three
months service. Drawer men never
shouldered gun OF gave the rebel yell.
1t was largely Irish in it's makeup, had
as many daredeyils as ever followed
the beat of drum. and earned Il fighting
record second TO none. They mutinied.
not for want of love for Dixie, but be-
cause, their term of service being out,
they wanted 10 choose their own COM
mands, in which they were not only
willing to fight for her, but if needs be,
die for her, as many of them did. The
conscript act was in force when Their
enlistment ended, under which they had
to stay in their old command The
rules of war are retroactive, one-sided
wipe out past promises and obliga
lions.
Sullen and unyielding, surrounded by
batteries and regiments of foot. they
had at last to succumb. All re-enlisted
save one, who defied them and invited
their fire This was Doyle, a swarthy,
gloomy for5idding looking man. large
framed acd of great strength. His ar
rest took place, but his court martial
was put off fl )m time To time to in
duce him TO change his mind, which he
doggedly refused to do-why, was
never learned. as he carried the secret
to his grave. 1t was said his hands
were not free from blood when he en-
tered the army
When the Confederate forces evacu-
ated Corinth and fell back to Tupelo
Doyle's guard was scarcely nominal,
as it was hoped he would go within the
Federal lines and save the necessity of
his trial and execution, says writer
in the Portland Oregonian. 1t awaited
not, for a da. or two after Bragg's
army went into camp nj Tupelo. to the
amazement and deep regret of all,
Doyle, of his own free will. unguarded.
stalked into the guardhouse and TO his
death.
Though Gen. Bragg was the most
rigid disciplinarian In the army. he re-
spected what he thought was Doyles
adherence to principle, and delayed the
trial There was :. weird, sad fascina-
70, fIasa TO -. L.,
the secret OF mat gloomy soul. who
Stunned his kind. talked with none ex-
cept the good old Catholic priest, who
In vain tried To disSuade him from his
almost suicidal purpose. The morning
of his execution was as bright and
beautiful a one as ever invited man to
enjoy and wish for a long life, but it
had no bright side for Doyle
From where his shackles were struck
off the spot chosen for his death was
fully a quarter of a mile, yet he re-
fused to ride. walked behind the wagon
that carried his coffin, keeping step to
the mournful music and beat of drum.
Lieut.. Col. Steevers of the Twenty
first Louisiana was the officer of the
day, and it was his duty to carry out
the death sentence. The place chosen
was semi-circle of rising ground. on
which the brigade was drawn up, with
81 depression of level ground, ia which
was the opcr grave. and by it q rough,
implanted coffin, near which Doyle
stood, refusing to kneel, eyes handaged
which he at first rejected. The firing
party, twelve in number. stood ten
PAGES in front of him; one of the rifles
held blank cartridge. When Col.
Steevers bandaged his eyes he begged
him to re-enlist and his life would be
spared. hut a shake Of his head was his
only answer. Then the colonel stepped
aside. dropped a white handkerchief.
trembling fingers pressed the siggers,
and Doyle fen back a corpse.