The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1901-07-18
He Wa. determined to Die.

Our tlNii W Ut nlu many pHril.c les
taments" that showed its ruIhiessness
and wolfish cruelty, but these are wars 5
main features, and the following only
proves II: Death for some had no
terrors; for renown and shoulder straps
some risk it, or through defense of
principle or rcmorSe some seek II. The
First Tennessee enlisted for three
months service. Bravcr men never
shouldcrcd Il gun or gave The rebel yell.
1t was largely Irish in its makeup, had
as many. darcdevils as ever followed
the beat of drum. and earned Il fighting
record second tn none. They mutinied.
not for want of love for Dixie. but be
cause, their term of service being out,
they wanted to choose their own COM
mands, in which they were not only
willing to fight for her, but, if needs be,
die for her. us 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 obligl-
tiOns.
Sullen and unyiclding, surrounded by
batteries and regiments of foot, they
had at last TO succumb. All re-enlisted
save one. who detied them and invited
their fire. This WIS Doyle. a swarthy.
gloomy. forbidding-looking man. large
framed and of great strength. His ar
rest took place. but his court-martial
was put off from 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 ell
tered the army
When the Confederate forces evacu-
ated Corinth and fell back to Tupelo
DOyle's guard was scarcely nominal.
rs 1t was hoped lie would go within the
Federal lines and save the necessity of
his trial and execution. says Il writer
in the Portland OreGonian. 1t availed
not. for day or two after Bragg's
army went into camp at Tupeio, 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 Doyle's
adherence to principle, and delayed the
trial There was weird, sad fascina-
ton for the man, desire to lay bare
the secret of that 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 one as ever invited man to
enjoy and wish for long life, but it
had no bright side for Doyle.
From where his shackles Were struck
off the spot chosen for his death vas
fully quarter of mile. yet lie .a-
fused to ride. walked behind the wagor
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
a depression of level ground in which
was the open grave, and by it rough,
unpainted coffin, near which Doyle
stood. refusing to kneel, eyes bandaged.
which he at first rejected. The firing
party. twelve in number, stood ten
PAGES in front of him; one of the rifles
held 4 blank cartridge. When Col.
Steevers bandaged his eyes he begged
him to re-enlist and his life would be
spared, but shake of his head was his
only answer. Then the colonel stepped
aside. dropped white handkerchief.
trembling fingers pressed the triggers,
and Doyle fell back corpse