[Washington and his Comrades in Arms by George Wrong]@TWC D-Link book
Washington and his Comrades in Arms

CHAPTER VII
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On one occasion some soldiers undertook for themselves the punishment of deserters.

Men of the First Pennsylvania Regiment who had recaptured three deserters, beheaded one of them and returned to their camp with the head carried on a pole.

More than once it happened that condemned men were paraded before the troops for execution with the graves dug and the coffins lying ready.

The death sentence would be read, and then, as the firing party took aim, a reprieve would be announced.

The reprieve in such circumstances was omitted often enough to make the condemned endure the real agony of death.
Religion offered its consolations in the army and Washington gave much thought to the service of the chaplains.


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