Raynors HCA 2016-10
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/21/2016
A very graphic and detailed account of a soldier's execution in this war-date Union officer's letter, 5 1/2pp. 8vo., written by Lt. William M. Thurston, Battery F (Ricketts), 1st Pennsylvania Light Artillery, "Camp Hancock," [Va.], Apr. 24, 1864, in part: "Sabbath evening…balance of the day spent in packing ammunition and preparing the battery to march…tomorrow that man will be executed…I hope he may be reprieved at the 11th hour…[Monday 25th]…I gave one of my boys my horse to ride to water and he came back with his hip broken. I could not help but shed tears. I have had him so long and must part with him…[evening]…that poor man was hung at 1…his grave was dug at the foot of the scaffold. The troops was formed in a hollow square around the scaffold, colors unfurled to the cool still breeze. The vast assemblage stood, looking to catch the first glimpse of the prisoner…I could by the aid of a field glass discern the slow approach of a wagon drawn by a beautiful pair of horses…I could see the prisoner with a white cap on and the rope around his neck. They drove in the ring so that all could see. He sat in the wagon on a rude rough made coffin painted dark brown. They drove around the square with a band in the front playing the dead march until they reached the scaffold. He looked pale and care worn, but seemed willing to die. He had but little to say. When he passed us he said good bye boys. Many tears trickled down the cheeks of brave men when he made this remark, but he did not shed a tear. He mounted his scaffold firm as though nothing troubled him. The chaplain made a touching and appropriate appeal in his behalf…and then defended the scaffold . The provost marshal drawed the cap down over his face. Tied the rope to the top piece and gave him a white handkerchief to wave when he was ready. He waived his signal at 1 o'clock & five minutes when the fatal drop fell launching his soul into the spirit worlds. There he hung suspended between heaven and earth until the surgeon pronounced his life extinct. He was then cut down and put in the rough coffin and buried…when the drop fell the prisoner fell four feet. His feet touched the ground. He struggled. The guard caught hold of the rope and pulled him from the ground. It looked to me like murder…he is a member of the 19th Mass. Regt and leaves a family to weep over his sad and disgraceful death. I cannot say he did not deserve to be hung, yet I can never forget the scene…W. Thurston." Light soiling, else VG
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