Charles L. Taylor Autograph Letter Signed with Military Execution Content. Four pages of a bifolium, 5" x 8", New Berne, North Carolina; August 19, 1864. Addressed to his wife, Hattie, Taylor writes that he witnessed a military execution for the first time. It reads in part: "...Sunday last I witnessed for the first time a military execution a sad sight. 5 men for desertion and one for inducing the same, "shot to death by musketry" all sentenced by General Court Martial approved by Gen. Butler. One was shot the day before the execution was ordered to take place by reveille. The troops were formed on three sides. The six graves being on the open side...next the 6 coffins borne by soldiers, followed by the doomed men accompanied by their spiritual advisors. The prisoners were seating on their coffins in front of their graves...Their eyes were bandaged...and men ordered singly to step out and shoot them, pointing their guns directly at their hearts...the troops were marched pass the bodies, the band playing their death march...the bodies were placed as they were in the coffins and buried then and there..." Signed, "Chas. L. Taylor." With original transmittal envelope. Condition: Letter has lightly rubbed and toned creases with smooth mail folds. HID03101062020 © 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved