JANUARY 30, 1864:
A
Confederate soldier stationed in Virginia, Joseph J. Hoyle, writes to his wife
Sarah about the execution of a deserter. His letter reads in part:
My Dear wife:
. . . Dear Sarah, I
had to witness one of the most affecting sights to day, I believe I ever did in
my life before. That was the shooting a man in our regiment for desertion. The
whole brigade was marched out in a square to see it. Although I was out I could
not look at him when they shot him, so I turned my eyes off him when they went
to fire. I felt very solemn indeed, and all appeared very serious. I will agree
with you now that it is not rite [sic] to shoot a man. Dear Sarah . . . As ever yours in hope and love. My own dear
Sarah.
Joe
