I could freely give my life to save his. Virginia C.

[Steve]

It turns out none of the men were shot for desertion. A month later Lincoln commuted all the pending death sentences for desertion (which he had not already acted on) to imprisonment at Ft Jefferson for the remainder of the war. This included a larger group of deserters than just the soldiers on our list. I'll get back with the fates of the individual soldiers on the list soon.


General Orders, No. 76.
War Department, Adjutant-General's Office
Washington, February 26, 1864.

Sentence of Deserters.

The President directs that the sentences of all deserters, who have been condemned by Court Martial to death, and that have not been otherwise acted upon by him, be mitigated to imprisonment during the war, at the Dry Tortugas, Florida, where they will be sent under suitable guards by orders from army commanders.

The Commanding Generals, who have power to act on proceedings of Courts Martial in such cases, are authorized in special cases to restore to duty deserters under sentence, when in their judgment the service will be thereby benefited.

Copies of all orders issued under the foregoing instructions will be immediately forwarded to the Adjutant General and to the Judge Advocate General.

By order of the Secretary of War: E. D. TOWNSEND,

Assistant Adjutant-General.