Raynors HCA 2018-06
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/21/2018
War-date Union soldier Autograph Letter Signed “S. Hayden” 4pp. quarto, Alexandria, Virginia, September 16, 1864, and reads in part: “...I have been to see a sad sight. It was a military execution. Samuel W. Downing had been tried here by court marshall for desertion and condemned to be shot. He was executed at 12 oc in an open field jsut out of this city. ...We found a large military procession there formed on three equal sides of a square with the commanding General Slough and about 20 officers on horseback in the center. Spectators were allowed to approach to the infantry on the rear of each of these three lines. We took a position on back of the center line and saw the prisoner with his escort of an infantry, guard, music, executioners, clergy & c come in sight and markedly where we stood and around our right and entered the square in front of us. As the prisoner marched by us, he was preceeded by a band of music playing a dead march, next his coffin come by 6 men, next the prisoner with an officer on each side, next chaplains, next 12 executioners, next a military guard of infantry. He passed in plain view about three rods from us. He kept step with the music and held his head just as the proudest soldies in review. When they came on the ground he at once took his position in front of the coffin which was placed on the ground stading. The articles of war which he had violated was then read, the charges against him, which showed he had deserted...He then spoke for a few minutes in a clear loud voice and gave some good advice to the audience. His voice was full and clear and he had not a tremor. Church prayers was then read by one chaplain...the Executioners then wheeled to his front about 5 paces distant and stood in a double file ...the first six presented arms and fired at once. He fell back in his coffin without a struggle...” Fine condition.
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