After he had laid in a hearty breakfast, and doubtless fortified himself with some of the villainous sorgum whisky, which the Rebels were now reduced to drinking, he set about his entertainment.
The devoted four were brought out--one by one--and their hands tied together behind their backs.

Then a noose of a slender, strong hemp rope was slipped over the first one's thumbs and drawn tight, after which the rope was thrown over a log projecting from the roof of the guard house, and two or three Rebels hauled upon it until the miserable Yankee was lifted from the ground, and hung suspended by the thumbs, while his weight seemed tearing his limbs from his shoulder blades.

The other three were treated in the same manner.
The agony was simply excruciating.

The boys were brave, and had resolved to stand their punishment without a groan, but this was too much for human endurance.

Their will was strong, but Nature could not be denied, and they shrieked aloud so pitifully that a young Reserve standing near fainted.