Connecticut western news., 1911-12-28
SHOOTING A DESERTER
Roberts Relates Details of a Soldiers 6
 Execution In War Time.
BY K, s. ROBERTS

belonging to the 4th New Jersey. Our division, the first, of the Sixth Corps, was called out to witness his being shot. Couldn't kill enough otherwise, so had to make an example and let the whole division know that there was ban put upon desertion hence you witnessed poor MoCox's death. There seemed to be shooting grount down near Fort Fisher, so you were marched down and became witnesses.
 The division was formed in hollow square," which is as foilows-by two ranks of soldiers on three sides of a field; the remaining side opeI, with grave dug for place to bury the unfortunate deserter. The troop, having taken their position, command is given, Front l' ITO the rear, open order, march '" when the rear ranks move back about fifteen fee. The front rank then "about faces" and in this position awaits the coming of the doomed man, who is loaded into an army wagon at headquarters, in winch is placed box for cothn, upon
 
 he takes his last ride, drawn by four mules preceded by @ platoon of soldiers with muskets at reverse arms !" who are followed also by like platoon, all preceded by a band playing the Dead March in Saul, sad, mournful tune, with muffied drums.
 You having been standing "in place rest" for more than an hour, see the pro- cession approaching, which, when reaoh- ing the "holIow square," halt, unload the prisoner and the coffin, and four men carry tho box, followed closely by the doomed boy (for he was only boy not IS years old,) leaning on the arm of the chaplain. They took the left side of the square and enter between the facing ranks preceded as before, by the band. platoon of soldiers, etc., in which ordsr the boy is led around between the fao. ing ranks, to the open space in the square. The coffin is put down in fropt of the open grave and the boy is seated on the box, his legs and arms are pinioned tightly, in which situation, after pray CT by the chaplain, the black cap is drawn oyer his eyes, and he awaits his doom.
 Twelve men with muskets are placed in line fifteen to twenty paces in front. Eleven of these muskets are loaded with ball cartridges, and one blank, so that you may hope at least that you shot blank, but the poor deserter gets the eleven. This is lesson to comrades. not to desert.
 However, you witnessed several of these shootings during this winter be- fore Petersburgh. Iremember the shoot ing of boy named Kelley, belonging to the 67th Pennsylvania Volunteers. He was boy in hIs teens and was shet for desertion. '...a.ea
 Many furloughs were granted during January and February. The cleanest boy in company was awarded "a go home" Considerable picket firing, these days. Our regiment is furnishing a daily detail of five officers and 100 men for the picket line. Salutes of 100 guns are getting to be almost a daily occur renee, not pleasant music for the John- nies, but we enjoy them immensely. Desertions from the rebels are an every day occurrence. General Grant had of- fered as an inducement to the Johnnies, to pay them for all muskets brought in, or all horses. A half dozen rebs were out with a mule team, gathering wood, between the lines. So they, being tired of War, brought the mule team with all the muskets they could get. Grant paid them for the teams and muskets and sent the men North.
 January 23 we heard very heavy can nonading. It proved to be the Monitors at Dutch Gap. Major Skinner was mus tered as Lieutenant Colonel and com manded the regiment. You have been rather quiet for few days, but rumors are afioat, charges and counter-oharges are becoming frequent; while apparently of little moment it reduces our numbers materially. You know it means just as much to be killed in skirmish as in A pitched battle.
 Early in February you were ordered to pack up and with four days rations to proceed down to the cleft" That meant extending our lines. The Fifth Corps was fighting at Hatcher's Run, and that was where you were booked for. You marched in the slush and mud and in waiting mood to sleep, but too cold to sleep. It was bitter cold. You about through the night and the following day skirmishing and fighting was the rule all day the Second Brigade under Hubbard and the Second Heavies under Colonel Skinner. Lots of wounded were being carried back to the rear lots of music just ahead. Orders were, Load your muskets while marching" You were soon where busi' ness was hot. The brush were so thick