Raynors 2020-05 Putnal
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/30/2020
A rare war-date manuscript Confederate court martial document ordering the firing squad execution of a German-born Rebel soldier, captured among Union forces during the battle of Stone River, 1 1/2pp. folio, "Hd. Qrs. Army of Tenn., Tullahoma, Tenn., Jan. 25, 1863 sent to Major General Joseph Wheeler, reading, in very small part: "…Private William Ackerman of Co "E" 1st Regt. La. Infty, did on or about the 18th day of October 1862 absent himself from his company…and join the enemy. He being a duly enlisted soldier of the Confederate States Army…the accused pleaded…not guilty. Finding & sentence of the court…guilty and do hereby sentence him…to be shot to death with musketry at such time and place as the commanding general may deem proper…by command of General Bragg…". Signed and made official by Major Kinlock Falconer 9th Mississippi Infantry, as a.a.g. Overall near fine. Private Ackerman, a 25-year-old man born in Germany, had been captured with an Ohio regiment at the Battle of Murfreesboro, December 31, 1862. He and his fellow prisoners were paroled, but General Bragg then ordered that 300 of the parolees be sent to the battlefield to assist in burying the Union dead. Out of about 1200 parolees on a train bound for Chattanooga, Ackerman was among the 300 tagged for the burial detail. He was recognized by members of the 1st La Inf as a deserter, reported and detained for court martial. Once convicted, he was scheduled to be executed at Tullahoma, Tenn., on January 30, 1863. His firing squad halted within twelve paces. Ackerman refused to be blindfolded. On the command to aim, he yelled out "take good aim." He was killed instantly by four bullets.
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