20, Confederate Grand Review, Spring Hill
[There was a] "grand review on the 20th [of June] by Brig. General Frank Armstrong, which passed off with great éclat. A great many fair faces cheered us with their presence. Gen. Forrest was present though not quite able to ride on horseback. After the review we adjourned to Gen. Forrest's quarters to partake of a sumptuous repast prepared by the courteous gentlemen of his staff and their lady friends. Our gallant General has so far recovered from his wound as to be able to take the field again. The enemy have been very quiet during the week, they however drove in our pickets on Sunday evening last on the Carter's creek road, near Hillsboro' Tenn., but went back faster than they came after receiving the fire our reserves - we lost one man killed.
Chattanooga Daily Rebel, July 2, 1862.
20, "I think it was too bad to shoot the poor fellow. The mistake was made in enlisting him in the first place." A Wisconsin soldier witnesses an execution in Murfreesboro
Murfreesboro Tenn.
June 20th
Dear friend,
Our Division was called upon today to participate in the execution, by shooting, of a soldier for desertion. He belonging to the 4th Ind. battery of our brigade and deserted to the enemy while we were out on a scout a few weeks ago. He was recaptured within twenty-four hours, dressed in a confederate uniform, claiming to belong to John Morgan's command. He was tried by Court-Martial and sentenced to be shot today. The entire division was formed into two lines, each facing the other about ten paces apart. The prisoner, under a strong guard, was made to walk the length of these lines. Four men marched behind him carrying his coffin. Upon arriving at the prepared grave the coffin was set down, he was made to kneel beside it, his sentence was read to him, a cap was drawn over his face, the order was given to "Fire" and the full penalty for desertion had been paid in his case. I knew this boy - only about seventeen years of age - he was physically weak, and regarded as a rather weak-minded, and this was evident by the fact that he enlisted with the enemy so near to our lines. He appeared to be incapable of realizing that he had done anything wrong. I think it was too bad to shoot the poor fellow. The mistake was made in enlisting him in the first place.
J. M. Randall
LETTERS & DIARIES: The James M. Randall Diary
http://www.ehistory.com/uscw/library/letters/randall/09.cfm
20, "City Morals."
For the week ending yesterday the number of cases tried before Recorder Shane in Police Court, was one hundred and twenty-six (126) :consigned to the workhouse, twenty (20); and sixteen (16) discharged. The chief misdemeanors were tippling without a license, using hydrant water without authority, and disorderly conduct. The revenue netted was over $627.50. Amount to be paid in labor to the corporation, about $225.
Nashville Daily Press, June 20, 1863.
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