More on the Execution of a Volunteer.
More on the
Execution of a Volunteer.

LETTERS FROM OUR VOLUNTEERS.

From the Same Regiment.


                                CAMP THOMAS, BARDSTOWN,}
                       Nelson County, Kentucky, Feb. 6th, 1862.}
    EDITORS MINERS' JOURNAL: The 7th is still located at this place, and how long we will still remain, I am unable to say. The weather on Tuesday and Wednesday was delightful. Like May weather, neither fire nor overcoats were requisite. Yesterday our Colonel received orders to march his command to Camp Morton, a distance of seven miles from where our camp is located to witness a military punishment, and when we arrived there, we found it was to be present at the execution of a fellow soldier. He belonged to the Second Kentucky Regiment of Infantry. He had murdered a man by the name of Sutherland, who lived a few miles out of Bardstown, and near the camp of the Second Regiment. It appeared that this soldier, whose name was James H. Calhoun, with three others, went to Mr. Sutherland's and stole some pigs. They were recognized and Mr. Sutherland made complaint to their commanding officer, for which they were punished. After they were liberated, Calhoun went in the evening, at 8 o'clock; called Sutherland out on some trivial cause, and shot him dead, for which he was court-martialed and condemned.
    Our regiment moved from camp at 10� o'clock. On arriving at Bardstown, the column was halted to wait for the prisoner, who was guarded to the gallows by the 35th Indiana Regiment, which was directly in advance of us. On arriving at the camp which is located in a beautiful place of level ground, we saw the gallows, which was erected near the centre of the field. Two regiments of cavalry, six of infantry, and the guard, making over 8,000 soldiers, were entirely around the gallows, at 1� o'clock, when the work of preparation commenced, which was complete in three-quarters of an hour. The prisoner looked on with perfect indifference, helping to arrange the rope. Looking on his fellow soldiers, he said to them, "Good bye, boys." A prayer, most fervent, was offered up to the Almighty, in his behalf, by an aged Divine, whose beard and head were as white as snow. The condemned then arose, and after looking around on that vast assemblage of troops, took the cap, drew it over his face, stepped on the trap, the rope being arranged with much care by the Provost Marshal. The Marshal then left the platform and raising an axe, gave the rope a blow and the criminal was launched into eternity. It was the first execution I ever saw, and I pray to God never to look on another. At any time during the whole of the execution, one could have heard a pin fall so much impressed did all seem on that awful occasion.--After hanging twenty-five minutes, he was taken down, put into his coffin, and consigned to his last resting place. Report says that he was the murderer of three others, prior to the one he was hung for. The Regiment returned to camp at 4� o'clock, the men being much impressed with what they had witnessed.
    The regiment is still laying here, and will remain here, I judge, for some time, at least until the roads get so that our wagons can run. The roads now, off the turnpike, are impassable.
    Reports last night, stated that there was firing at Bowling Green, which I very much doubt. The health of the regiment is good, there being but thirty-seven in the hospital. Capt. Jennings has been very ill, and has gone home. Lieut. White is still confined to his room at Jeffersonville, but is getting better, and will rejoin his Company in two weeks. All the rest of the Schuylkill County boys are well, and getting along finely. The weather has been almost one continued rain since we have been here. We have had but three clear days out of nine.--The weather, however, is quite warm. In fact, we have experienced no cold weather since we left Harrisburg, on the 18th of December.                       7TH PA. CAVALRY.


Source:

7th Pa. Cavalry, "Letters From Our Volunteers, From the Same Regiment," The Miners' Journal and Pottsville General Advertiser, Pottsville, Pa., Saturday, 15 February 1862, page 2, col. 6.

Created May 5, 2004; Revised May 5, 2004
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