Year: 1862

|


The New Orleans Delta has the following
narrative of the shooting of Tennessee soldier
in the rebel army in Mississippi:


"a lady of the first standing in New Orleans
having obtained passport to visit the camp of
the rebel army where her two sons were serving,
was entertained at headquarters, and found that
General Van Dorm and his staff officers Jared
sumptuously living on the very fat Of the Ian l.
But the common soldiers had only bread and
molasses for their fare.


at so happened that while this lady was with
the Coniederates the time for which certain
Tennessee regiment had enlisted expired. and
the soldiers, anxious to see their wives and little
ones once more, began TO make preparations to
start home


"The General, in making his daily rounds
and seeing his men busily engaged in making
preparations for their intended departure, in
quired what it meant and on being made ac-
quainted with their determination, he immedi-
ately gave orders that not single man of them
should leave his encampment. The whole br-
gade or division Of the army was at once or
dered under arms cannon and musketry were
| brought TO bear on this devoted regiment and
| they were told by the General, that unless they
took up their arms, which they had thrown
down, within three minutes, they should be
| fired on. With death thus staring them in the
face, they obeyed the order to take up their
arms, all but eight 1t was declared that these
should be court-martiaed and shot.


"Before the time came that the military
court was to be held, seven out of the eight fol-
! lowed the example of their comrades, and
agreed to resume their arms. One sol lier
alone remained firm in his purpose one soldier
alone was willing to brave death rather than
! ;ot1 81, L. 10 -


"tIe pleaded his own cause with all the fervor
of which soldier is capable. Said he to his
General i have served ont the time for which
| enlisted, faithfully; | nave been in every bat
tie; have beea ut all times at the post of du-
! ty assigned me, in rain and sunshine. in sum-
mer an winter. | have served and | am will
ling to serve M country. But, General, have
wife and four small children at home, who de-
pend on me alone for support and protection,
and who have no one besides me to look to
their interests Allow me thirty DAYS, the law
allows furlough of sixty days, but allow me
half that time to visit my family, whom have
not seen for year, and make some necessary
arrangements tor their welfare and | promise
to return within that time and to take my for.
mer position in my regiment. l made out a
just and reasonable request 1t is essential to
the welfare of my family that you grant it.



my family He was sentenced to be shot.
The decree was pronounced on Saturday, and
was to have been executed on the next day-the
| Sabbath suitable day for such deed. The
| soldier and hero. Tor he was hero, and by far
the bravest man in his regiment, asked for a
little longer time to make the preparation nee
essary, in order TO enter into the presence OF
his God and the time was graciously extended
one day, so that the sentence was executed on
Monday, instead of the Sabbath"


"When the fatal hour arrived, following his
own coffin which was in full view, he was mar
ched to the place of execution, and arrived
there, the General pointed him to the new made
grave and commanded him to kneel down up
on the margin of that grave. The soldier and
martyr simply replied that he had never kneelec
to any but his Maker, and that he could moi
consent to kneel now to man. AS he sale
this the order was given TO fire, and in the ac
of making the sign of The cross on his breas
the martyr and soldier was in eternity. Bu
there were many, unaccustomed to weep, wht
shed bitter tears on witnessing this tragedy"