Graphic photo from Union execution by firing squad

[OleMissRebel]

This is an altogether unseen photograph that went for auction recently.

http://www.cowanauctions.com/auctions/item.aspx?ItemId=84368

Possibly the same execution as the one drawn in this sketch?

http://encyclopediavirginia.org/media_player?mets_filename=evm00002415mets.xml

If the executed man were indeed sitting and holding his head down as he is portrayed in the sketch coupled with the close proximity of the firing squad, it might explain the massive facial wound that is visible in the photograph.

[Dusty Merritt]

Re: Graphic photo from Union execution by firing squad

Holy s#*t. I had no idea something like this even existed. Poor boy.

[Dusty Merritt]

Re: Graphic photo from Union execution by firing squad

Found this description of a deserter's execution posted here, thought it was worth reposting:


Letter from the 7th Indiana by Chaplain R.W. Jewell
Bivouac 7th Indiana Volunteers,
Near Raccoon Ford,
Rapidan River, Virginia.

Editor Journal: On Thursday last, 24th inst., while all were quietly eating dinner, in camp near Culpepper, the “pack up” was sounded. Dinners were finished in double quick time, and in less than fifteen minutes all were prepared to go whithersoever the commander desired. It is both amusing and surprising to see how quick this army can prepare for marching. After the usual delay in taking up order of march, we were all put in motion toward the Rapidan, and after an easy and quiet march of some six miles over a narrow, unfrequented, but level and dry, though not dusty road, thickly hedged with pine, cedar and other undergrowth, we reached our present bivouac, about one mile from the river, and near a little mountain, from which the rebel camp and the “Johnny rebs” themselves can be seen plainly with the naked eye. It is but “a step” over, but we do not take that step, and in fact it is a rather a perilous step to take. We are not allowed to give the relative positions of the different commands. We do not pretend to know the objects of this movement, and will not therefore undertake to give them.

Execution of a Deserter.

Yesterday, 25th inst., near this place, Charles Williams, of the 4th Maryland volunteers, Company D, 1st Corps, 3d Division, at 4 P. M. was shot to death for desertion. I was present at this painful affair, and will give your readers a few facts, if you have not a more able correspondent.

The division to which the condemned man belonged was formed into a hollow square, the east side open, where was an open grave, the fresh dirt telling that it had been dug but a short time previous. At a little after 3 P. M. the convict was marched on the ground, in at the open side of the square, and all round the lines, close to the men. A brass band and muffled drums, led by the officer of the occasion, went in front, discoursing the most mournful music; indeed it seemed as if every instrument was a living, heart-broken thing. Next after the band marched the firing party, with their deadly weapons at a shoulder, and bayonets unfixed. This party was composed of twelve soldiers. Then came the rough coffin, borne by four men; then came the doomed man, walking behind and looking upon that coffin which was soon to contain his earthly remains. He was a common sized man, dressed in black pants, white shirt, no coat, and a well worn round-crowned woolen hat, his face cleanly shaven. His step was firm, and in time with the dead march, he looked neither to the right nor the left. His left arm was drawn round behind, and his right arm down by his right side, the left wrist being handcuffed to the right arm immediately below the elbow, so that his breast was laid bare for the leaden messengers of death to do their awful work without hinderance. By his right side walked a Chaplain, but during the awful march no words passed between them.-Behind him with fixed bayonets marched a heavy guard. During the time occupied in marching around the lines, the whole multitude seemed to hold their breath and gaze with pity, and many with flowing eyes, at that healthful man, in the prime of life, marching to his own funeral dirge, and gazing upon the weapons that were in a few moments to pierce his heart and brain; and that coffin and grave so soon to receive his dishonored remains. Oh, God! what awful reflections were ours at that dread time; but how horribly awful must have been those of that doomed man! On went the solemn procession—his body the living hearse for his dead honor—the band making the very air to wail and weep. At last they file off to the open grave; here, at its edge, they halt; the coffin is let down by its side; the band marches from the scene; the guards and firing party take up their proper distances; the doomed man is left alone with the Chaplain; they both seat themselves, facing each other, astride the coffin, and, in this position, the man of God lifts his eyes and voice to heaven in earnest, eloquent supplication for that soul which was so soon to pass into the presence of its maker, to give an account of the deeds done in the body. What an awful position was this! Not many have sat upon the coffin with one who was so soon to fill it, and invoke the mercy of God upon that unfortunate being. Prayer over, the preacher made some remarks; then for some moments they stand in common conversation. There is not the least indication of fear; nor the slightest trembling or restlessness of position; not the blanching of eye or palor of countenance could be detected, but a firm attention, with a soldierly attitude, he stood and listened to the last words of his chaplain. Now the bugle admonishes us that the fateful moment is near; he hates to part with the preacher; presently the officer advances and the chaplain retires; the poor fellow takes a calm and deliberate survey of the heavens and earth and at the long lines of gleaming bayonets about him, and at his executors, who stand ready to carry out the sentence of death; then with a sigh, submits his eyes to be blindfolded, and all earthly objects are shut out forever. The office retires, and then he stands beside his coffin, as firm as a marble statute. A note from the bugle, and every piece is at an aim; another note they belch forth fiery death into his bosom; he falls back over his coffin, and his head, neck and heart are pierced through; he moves not a muscle, he quivers not; the sentence is complete; he is dead.

As soon as the fact was officially announced by the surgeons of the occasion, the corpse of the executed man was placed on the ground, alongside of his coffin, and all the division were marched in review, so that every man might see the fearful fate which is before the man who deserts his cause, colors and comrades in this our hour of peril.

We had poor opportunities of gaining information, but learn this man had deserted some four or five times; hiring as a substitute, getting the money, and then deserting and hiring again. When arrested he was playing substitute in the 90th [? not clear in original] Pennsylvania, and while on drill was apprehended by his old captain.

We will now let him alone; he fills an ignominious grave. If he has relatives, a loving wife, with a high sense of honor, we pray God to comfort them. It is a matter of great regret that one who could meet death so firmly, should prove himself so unworthy to live, and live to so little purpose, and die so ignobly.

[Dusty Merritt]

Re: Graphic photo from Union execution by firing squad

There's also a rather gruesome description of the man from the sketch, William H. Johnston's, execution in this article in the Long Island Farmer, which is titled (interestingly enough) "A Deserter's Fate."

It says he was shot by a dozen cavalrymen from his regiment, who were armed with carbines. If this photograph is of Johnston, the infantrymen in the back would therefore have to be a "fake" firing squad added for effect. The manner of his death and the subsequent display of his body does bear some intriguing similarities, though it's not entirely spot-on.

[ScottCross]

Re: Graphic photo from Union execution by firing squad

Wow.
If one CDV was made, then there would surely be more of this image.

[GrumpyDave]

Re: Graphic photo from Union execution by firing squad

I've see it before. It's in one of the LOC collections.

[Dusty Merritt]

Re: Graphic photo from Union execution by firing squad

There are at least two photographs out there from Armstead and White of Corinth, Miss., showing a purported Confederate spy just before and after his execution. They are in the LOC's collection but not digitized. Here are two low-res copies I found online:

http://www.9thbattalion.org/provost/11-pics1/execute2.gif

http://www.9thbattalion.org/provost/11-pics1/execute3.gif

[OleMissRebel]

Re: Graphic photo from Union execution by firing squad

I think that's the same guy. There are two distinct horizontal lines in the wood of the coffin that appear in both photos. Also the blindfold appears to be the same.

[OleMissRebel]

Re: Graphic photo from Union execution by firing squad

[ScottCross]

Re: Graphic photo from Union execution by firing squad

Both men also appear to be wearing a plaid shirt. In addition, it looks like and entry hole in the mask, which would correspond to the facial wound in the other image

[Dusty Merritt]

Re: Graphic photo from Union execution by firing squad

There are also two distinctive leaves sticking up from a plant at the victim's hip that look very similar in both images.

I found this second view of the man immediately pre-execution, who is identified as Alex J. Johnson, 1st Alabama Cavalry (Union). It names "Howard & Hall" as the photographers and is credited to the Grenville Dodge Collection, Iowa State Historical Library. More info on Johnson's July 23, 1863 execution on the Civil War Talk Forum here. I'm still not totally sure it's the same man in the CDV but there are certainly striking similarities.

[tsgalloway]

Re: Graphic photo from Union execution by firing squad

Wow. Very moving images...

[Cumpston1862]

Re: Graphic photo from Union execution by firing squad

Gents-

It certainly looks like this could be the same guy. The clothes, the blindfold, the wood in the casket, the plant by his hip all seem to match. I would also add that his pants in both the pictures of him lying against and beside the coffin seem to be very baggy in the hip area.

Also we should remember the 19th century photographer had many things working against him in regards to his medium. The equipment was very cumbersome to move and could break easily with prolonged handling. So when a photographer had the opportunity to set up and get a good shot he would want to take many images in the same general location. Photographers such as Alexander Gardner at Gettysburg would take pictures of the same dead soldier(s) from several different angles. And than identify them differently. Whether this was done by accident or profit is debatable. But what can't be disputed is the confusion that it created later. So my point is the photographer that took this picture may well have done the same thing. Taken several pictures of the execution. Before; after(lying down), after (leaning against the coffin) and perhaps some others.