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Camp Florida, Dec. 12, 1861
Dear Captain,
A feeling of sadness pervades Camp Florida. On the 9th
inst., Dennis Corcoran and Michael O'Brien were shot in pursuance of the
sentence of a court martial held at Centreville. I will give you a brief
account of the cause that led to this lamentable calamity.
On the 29th Nov., Dennis and Mike became
under the influence of liquor and were involved in some difficulty with
some persons in the quarters of the 7th Louisiana Volunteers.
During the melee several persons were knocked down, among whom, it was
alleged, was Col. Harry Hays. The balance of the statement I have from an
eyewitness, Capt. O.P. Miller, of our Battalion, who happened to be passing
late in the afternoon at the time the difficulty was progressing. His
attention was called by hearing Red's name shouted and immediately upon
seeing Col. Hays with a revolver pointed at Corcoran, he sprang between
them, requesting Col. Hays not to shoot and desiring Red to be quiet. He
succeeded inputting an end to the disturbance, and both Corocran and
O'Brien came peaceably to their quarters. Shortly after, a request cam that
the two should be arrested, and Lt. Kennon, who was officer of the day, had
them confined to our guard house, where they remained under arrest until
after their trial and conviction - the evening of the 5th of
December - when they were confined in the general guard house and informed
that they were allowed until the morning of the 9th of Dec., to
prepare themselves to their God and Judge. Father Smoulders, chaplain of
the 8th Regiment Louisiana Volunteers, whom I believe to be a
sincere Christian and most holy man, visited them in the tent where they
were to be confined, and remained with them up to the time of their executions,
labouring for the salvation of their precious souls, and as he so lovingly
expressed it, he believed their repentance to be sincere, and that his labours
had not been in vain. The language of both men and their conduct were such
as become true soldiers, who, even with their lives, were prepared to serve
their country by submitting bravely to the fate ordered by the insulted
dignity of the law.
Corcoran and O'Brien both expressed themselves most
patriotically. They were ready to die for the preservation of the glorious
cause for which they had been fighting; and although they would rather have
died on the battlefield, they were ready to die in any way for the interest
of their country. No ignomy (sic - ignominy) was attached to their death.
They would die a soldier's (sic - death) and the world should know Tiger's
can always die like men. They wrote a most touching and affectionate letter
of farewell to their officers, spiritual adviser Father Smoulders, friends,
companions and brother soldiers, advising them to abstain from the use of
intoxicating liquors and instancing their untimely end as a terrible
example of the fruits of indulging in reason destroying drink. The morning
of the execution they bade an affectionate farewell to their companions, forgave
all the past as they hoped to be forgiven, expressed a belief that a
merciful God, through the intercession of the Blessed Saviour, would pardon
all their sins and receive their souls for an eternity of bliss. When
brought to the place of execution Corcoran saluted the party who were
detailed to execute the last office with a cheerful, "good morning my
little lads; don't grieve for use; we are going to a better world,"
"Don't mangle us; shoot at our hearts if you love us. Boys, God bless
you, good-bye!" Oh, Captain, that scene! Those strong, stern men, who
had braved death upon the shores of the Potomac and fought side by side
with the doomed upon the blood-stained field of Manassa (sic - Manassas),
bowed their head upon their rifles, and it was plainly seen each head was
bursting with agony; every eye moistened with sympathetic tears. Red says:
"Boys it was at the C's yesterday; it is at the D's today, and I am
ready." Both of them requested to be shot standing, and not to be
blind folded, as they did not fear to look death in the face, they had done
so before on several occasions, when they were not as well prepared to meet
God as they then were. Tey had always had the name of having pluck through
life and it had not deserted them yet. Upon being informed that they would
have to kneel and be blind folded, Red replied: "Father I kneel to
God! Tigers a last good-bye. God receive our spirits!" A volley! Two
lives had paid the penalty of their offence. Two soldiers fell martyrs to
military discipline. Tow heroes died. May they, in the language of Jere
Clemens, have received the patriots reward; "The crown that hangs upon
the throne of sapphire and of gold, awaiting all who die for their
country." "And which when justice placed it on their brows, she
handed the record of their lives to mercy: then turned away until all that
was bad and sinful was erased."
Captain, we who knew the men respect their memories,
and grant their last request - a soldiers epitaph. I can say no more; a
deep impression has been made upon my mind that can never be erased while
time with me shall last and when eternity shall open for me my soul will
meet and mingle in loving communion with those brave spirits forever.
E. H.
Points to Ponder
"Camp Florida" - Name of camp
in which the Battalion was located in Dec. 1861?
"Captain" - Unknown, but it was not Captain Alexander White, who
commanded the firing squad.
"Dennis and Mike" - Use of enlisted personnel's first names by
officers.
"Capt. O.P. Miller" - Obed P. Miller, Commander of Old Dominion
Guard
"Red" - Michael O'Brien. Calling a person by his nickname.
Perhaps he had red hair.
"Lt. Kennon" - William H. Kennon, 2nd Lt. in Walker Guards.
"A Volley!" - Company B, Tiger Rifles provided the firing squad.
To ensure that they would fire on their comrades, personnel from the 8th
Louisiana stood behind them
(Company E I believe), ready to fire on the firing squad, should they not
fire.
"E. H." - Edward Hewitt, 2nd Lt. in Tiger Rifles. He
was on recruiting service in November and December 1861, so description is
"second hand."
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