7th Indiana Infantry - Execution of Iron Brigade Soldier for Cowardice

Item LTR-9177

Description

Original Civil War soldier's letter. 4 pages, written in period ink.


Camp of the 7th Indiana
Centreville, Virginia

June 16th [1863]

Brother and Sister,

As we are on the move and not knowing when we would stop again, I concluded to pen you a short note. I suppose you will know before this reaches you that we have abandoned our position on the Rappahannock and are in full retreat for Washington or Maryland. We arrived here last night tired and foot sore, having traversed 80 miles in 8 days. We marched all night, night before last. My feet are in an awful condition. But I had to keep up or be taken prisoner. This place is three miles from the Bull Run battlefield and is a pretty strong position. I suppose we will stay here until tomorrow in order to let the men recruit a little. It is reported that the Rebs have gone to Maryland and I suppose we will have to try and head them. We are going through another Pope campaign and I hope the Rebs will capture Washington, if they don’t put McClellan in command of this army.

I had a letter from Mother last week. They are all well. I witnessed an awful murder on the last march. It was the shooting of a man belonging to the 19th Indiana. The poor fellow fell to the rear during the Battle of Chancellorsville, was tried by a drum head (court martial), and sentenced to be shot to death of the 12th inst.. Hooker sanctioned it and the poor man was ironed and had to sit on his coffin for one day previous to being shot. On the 12th about noon, we were halted and formed in column to witness the execution. The man was hauled up in an ambulance and taken out. His coffin was then taken out and the men went to digging his grave. The chaplain then offered up a short prayer. He was then seated on his coffin, his hands tied behind his back and a bandage placed over his eyes. Six men were then marched up in front of him. His coat and shirt were each gathered and his shoulders laid bare. The officers then stepped back. The men cocked their pieces and took aim. Then came the word fire and the poor fellow fell back, but not dead. The reserve was ordered up and they shot two more loads into him. This put him out of existence. I cannot express the awful sorrow which passed over me. I have stood where bullets flew thick and fast and seen men literally torn to pieces. But I never felt as I did when this poor man was murdered. For I can call it nothing else. I don’t know whether you can read this or not. I am so nervous from the fatigue of yesterday.

Your Brother,

J. Stuart