Early this morning had a good swim, after which I lay down
under a large tree near the river. Had a good nap and rest. Then wrote a few
letters. Very late in the afternoon orders came to fall in and form line. We
marched into a large open field and formed three sides of a square, when orders
came that a deserter from the 34th Ohio Regiment was to be executed at sunset.
After waiting a while we heard the band playing a dirge. Soon the whole party
came in sight, six armed men in front of the deserter and six in the rear. At
his side walked a Chaplain. Behind all came an ambulance with a coffin. When
all was ready the deserter sat on the coffin, blindfolded. Orders came to fire.
I saw him fall over on the coffin. Don't wish to witness anything more like
that. Besides being a deserter, it was reported that he was a spy, having
enlisted in the rebel service. All I know about it is the talk about our camp
and other regiments.
SOURCE: Charles H. Lynch, The Civil War Diary,
1862-1865, of Charles H. Lynch 18th Conn. Vol's, p. 110-1
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