Confederate incident: A deserter has been captured

A man has been captured out of uniform, attempting to pass through a picket line. He was wearing gray pants and his coat, rifle, and cap were all missing as well as his accouterments. Some men from the 48th Tennessee say they can identify him as a private from their ranks.

I have given order to hold a formal war tribunal in the next days. Officers and corporals from the 48th Tennessee shall testify if they can clearly identify this man. If the suspicion proves true, the verdict is clear. A man that leaves his fellow comrades, disobeys the orders of his generals and disregards the duties for his country commits a severe crime. The punishment is ultimate. Such men would have to be shot by a firing squad.

Lt. Gen. Hebert

The private has been found guilty of desertion.

The penalty, or mercy, is yours to apply.

There will be benefits and consequences to your choice.

-Neal

The war tribunal has come to the conclusion that the captured man is guilty of desertion.
The punishment for this crime is death.

Leffe7 wrote:The war tribunal has come to the conclusion that the captured man is guilty of desertion.
The punishment for this crime is death.

Dang! And just as I was about to desert myself. Need to re-think that one

Martin (J)

Martin, I am just north of your current position. You will be welcomed with open arms. Errr.. you are bringing the HQ silverware aren't you?!?

M.T. Georgia

Well I got me some eatin irons an such here Gen’l. Not sure if it’s silver tho.

But you ain’t fixin’ to trick a poor Louisiana boy is yar? My brother Nate says never trust a Yankee.

Leffe7 wrote:The war tribunal has come to the conclusion that the captured man is guilty of desertion.
The punishment for this crime is death.

A somber mood prevailed mid-morning as one Tennessee regiment formed up in a three-sided square to mete out the ultimate punishment for a deserter.

The condemned private was compelled to sit on a wooden casket, hands bound behind his back. He was blindfolded and accompanied by a minister who prayed with him until the last moment.

A five-man squad, drawn by lot, was formed from his company and marched out with loaded rifles. Behind the formation, Col. Neal on his white horse rode up to watch. The minister trotted away as the squad took the ready.

It was a very swift and grim affair. The private tensed, offering a clear shot to his chest -- his last hope that his comrades would not miss.

"Ready, aim, fire!"

And it was over. The dead private fell backwards and moved no more.

Col. Neal audibly remarked, "glorious, glorious!" before riding back to his unit.

Another grim detail delivered the now-full casket to a church for burial while his captain hastily scribbled a letter to the unfortunate private's family.

You men will now think twice before deserting...

As Washington held the original army of independence together at Valley Forge with the execution of deserters, so shall this second army of independence be bonded in blood!