Execution of a Confederate soldier by Yankees in Kentucky.
The Cairo
News, of the 25th ult, contains an account of the hanging, by order of
General Hurlbut, of
James W. Love, a member of
Capt. Howell Edmond's company of Confederate cavalry.
He was hung upon the charge of being a "guerilla," and we copy the account in full:
Love was a young man, apparently not more than twenty two or twenty three years of age, and was far from looking the guerilla.
He was dressed in Confederate unhorse, and was a private in Edmond's company.
He was captured by the 11th Illinois infantry, and taken to
Paducah, Kentucky.
After remaining there some time, he was sent to
Columbus for trial.
He confessed to being a member of Edmond's company, but protested that they were not guerillas — It was charged that he deserted from the Confederate army, came home, and turned guerilla.
This, however, did not appear in the evidence.
The charges brought against him were as follows:
- 1.
Of connection with a band or company, who were in the habit of going about Henry and Wigley counties, Tennessee, committing guerilla depredations.
- 2.That he and others had searched, without authority, the house of Mr. T. M. Farmer.
- 3.
That he took a horse from Mr. Farmer, forcibly and without light.
- 4. That he, with the band of which he is a member, look articles from Mr. Chas. Kilgour to the amount of $360 and more.
- 5. That they carried away and to eatened to kill Mr. Kilgour, but afterwards released him. They also took some articles from his house.
- 6. That on the 6th day of October, 1863, the company of which he was a member robbed the store of Mr. Albert Curtis, in Henry county, Tennessee, carrying away and destroying a large amount to goods to the value of one thousand dollars. Part of these goods, Love is said to have received.
The military commission found him guilty of the first and second charges, and of the specification of being a guerrilla; and not guilty to the fourth, fifth and six charges.
He plead guilty to the third charge, protesting that he was required by his commanding officer to take the horse.
The execution was fixed for eleven o'clock A. M. The prisoner was conveyed from the prison to the gallows and seated on his coffica — in conformity with a revolting and inhuman custom that is a disgrace to a civilized people.
He was escorted by a detachment of the 31st New Jersey infantry.
Upon arriving at the gallows — which was erected on the hill, near Fort Quinby--a hollow square was formed by the 31st New Jersey and the first battalion of the 2d Tennessee (colored) heavy artillery.
The prisoner took his place upon the scaffold, and a prayer was offered by
Chaplain Beatty, of the 31st New Jersey.
After the prayer an opportunity was offered the unfortunates man to make a few remarks, which he improved.
He said that he was prepared to die, because he felt that he was going to Heaven.
He did not blame any person or persons in the
Federal service with his death.
He blamed only the citizens of
West Tennessee, who, he said, were good Union men when the
Federals were about, and good rebels when the rebels were strongest.
For a difficulty before the war some of these men who cherished hatred toward him, brought him to his present condition.
He dented being a guerilla, claiming that he was a regular Confederate soldier.
He entered the rebel service because he thought it was it the, and he had always tried to do his duty as a soldier.
The horse that he was found guilty of having taken was taken by order of his commanding officer, and against his wishes.
He spoke of his family.
His father had died seven years ago, and he left that they would meet in heaven.
He was a native of
Henry county, Tenn, where his friends still reside.
His family was respectable, and his own character unsuited.
He desired that his remains should besent home, or that his grave be marked so that his friends could get his body.--He advised the soldiers to be faithful.
He respected them all. He was a soldier himself — a regular Confederate soldier — wrong, perhaps, but none the less a soldier.
This is the substance of his remarks.
He spoke in a subdued voice, but clearly and distinctly.
His voice was firm and unwavering, and he evinced no dread or fear of his coming doom.
Although his fate was ignominious and the charges against him great, to his credit be it said, he died like a hero.
The rope was adjusted; about his neck, the white cap drawn over his head, and at twenty-five minutes past eleven o'clock the unfortunate man was inched into eternity.
He was pronounced dead within four minutes after the drop fell, but was allowed to hang some fifteen minutes longer before he was taken down.
letters, &c., for his friends were, by him, entrusted to
Rev. Mr. Beatty, chaplain of the 34th New Jersey.
