The Execution of a Soldier for Desertion

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/31/2006

Autograph Letter Signed, “Nathan Augustus”, 120th New York Infantry, WIA at Gettysburg, 3p. octavo, Camp near Petersburg, Virginia, December 25, 1864, with original cover, in part: “...enjoying myself as well as a soldier can that has been through this hard summers campaign. We have had some very hard marchs and have been in 6 fights and we have lost a good many of good soldiers but I have been very lucky this summer and I thank God and our brave commanders for it...we were called out yesterday to see a man shot for deserting to the enemy. His grave was dug and his coffin placed by the side of it an he was placed on his coffin and his captain went up and shook hands with him and the band played the dead march an then the order was executed and the 12 muskets were fired at him. He was a young man about 21 years of age, he belonged to the 1st Mass Heavy Artillery....” Seperation at spine, else Fine.The soldier executed was John C. Dixon of the 1st Mass Heavy Artillery, who had enlisted in August of that year.SEE LOT 316

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