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A DESERTER WINS A LAST MINUTE REPRIEVE JUST BEFORE HE IS TO BE SHOT - Current Bid: $120.00

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Militaria Start Price:100.00 USD Estimated At:200.00 - 300.00 USD
A DESERTER WINS A LAST MINUTE REPRIEVE JUST BEFORE HE IS TO BE SHOT - Current Bid: $120.00
War date A.L. of Pvt. Noah Deaton of the 26th North Carolina Infantry, 4pp. 12mo., "Magnolia Dauphin County, N.C." Jan. 25, 1863 in ink and pencil to his father reporting on the impending execution of a deserter and other matters: "...We have been out ever since without tents... some think we will go back to Petersburg, Va. & others that we will go towards Newbern, N.C. or to Wilmington... There is a man of our Regt. Co. B. to be shot to death tomorrow... for Desertion. He left camp at Garysburg about a week ago. He was overheard in making his plot with three others by a private who without saying anything about it went and posted himself on the road and as the deserters came up he halted them and brought them back to camp. I cannot help but feel sorry for the poor fellow to see him bound down a waiting for to be shot tomorrow but he knew the penalty before he deserted. The drum has just beat for preaching so I must stop my letter for the present... Monday the 26th. The man that I have mentioned was to be shot today was not shot as everyone expected. The whole brigade had assembled to witness the scene had his coffin ready and grave dug and 20 men ready to shoot him. Would have killed him in a few moments but at the moment a reprieve came from the Commanding Gen'l of N.C. The unfortunate mans feeling can not be imagined, confident one moment of instant death then came the sound he is released." Letter incomplete, usual folds, light soiling, else very good.

Estimate: $200 - 300.

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