From the Richmond Dispatch, 12/16/1862, p. 1, c. 4

Respited. – The Secretary of War yesterday respited John Mulligan, of Company D, 5th Virginia cavalry for 20 days. Mulligan was condemned by Court-Martial to be shot to death by musketry for the crime of desertion, and the time of execution was fixed for to-day, between the hours of 8 and 3 o'clock, at Camp Lee. All needful preparations had been made by Capt. Reed, of the President's Guard, to whom had been confided the details of the execution, to carry it into effect. He had sold himself as a substitute at a very high figure, and had deliberately deserted three times thereafter, after being warned of the consequences.

Go to top