The Daily Dispatch: December 31, 1861., [Electronic resource], A Bungling Execution.

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A Bungling Execution.

--A member of Gen. Franklin's Federal brigade was recently executed for attempting to desert on the Potomac. The particulars of his death are thus detailed by the St. Louis Democrat:

The half of 10,000 troops, being the whole of Franklin's division, were present.

The procession was led by Capt. Boyd, Provost Marshal. It consisted of a regiment of mounted cavalry and a detail of 12 Lincoln cavalry, dismounted to shoot; the ambulance train, carrying the coffin in an open wagon, with the prisoner and a priest praying with him. Two or three priests were on horseback behind. Mounted cavalry brought up the rear.

The procession passed between the regiment in double line, forming a hollow square and stopped in the centre. The coffin was then taken out, the priests helped the man down and bandaged his eyes, and he then kneeled on the coffin. The executioners were in six pairs in front.

A prayer followed, all being uncovered. The signal given by the Provost Marshal was the waving of a white handkerchief to prepare; on another signal eight men fired. The victim wounded in the breast, clasped his hands to his bosom and groaned. The Provost Marshal, on examination, finding him alive, called on the reserve. The shots took effect in the head, death following immediately. The entire brigade, headed by Gen. Franklin and staff, marched by the corpse, which was afterwards placed in the coffin.

The Daily Dispatch: December 31, 1861. Richmond Dispatch. 4 pages. by Cowardin & Hammersley. Richmond. December 31, 1861. microfilm. Ann Arbor, Mi : Proquest. 1 microfilm reel ; 35 mm.

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The Daily Dispatch: December 31, 1861., [Electronic resource]

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A Bungling Execution.