The Ladies' Garland

THE CRUEL OFFICER PUNISHED

In the reign of Queen Anne, a soldier belonging to a marching regiment which was quartered in the city of Worcester, was taken up for desertion: and being tried before a Court Martial, was sentenced to be shot. The Colonel and Lieutenant Colonel being at that time in London, the command of the Regiment devolved on the Major, a most cruel and inhuman man. The day on which the deserter was to be executed being arrived, the regiment, as is usual on these occasions, was drawn out to see the execution.

It is the custom on these occasions, for the several corporals to cast lots for this disagreeable office; and when every one expected to see the lots cast as usual, they were surprised to find that the Major had given orders that the prisoner should die by the hands of his brother, who was only a private man in the same company: and who, when the cruel order arrived, was taking his leave of his unhappy brother, and with tears fast flowing that expressed the anguish of his soul, was hanging for the last time about his neck.

On his knees did the poor fellow beg that he might not have a hand in his brother's death: and the poor prisoner, forgetting for a moment his petitions to heaven, begged to die by any hands but those of a brother. The unrelenting officer, however, could by no means be prevailed on to revoke his cruel sentence, though entreated to do so by every inferior officer in the regiment; but on the contrary, he swore, that he, and he only, should be the executioner, if it were merely for example's sake, and to make justice appear more terrible. When much time had been wasted in fruitless endeavors to soften the rigor of this inhuman sentence, the prisoner prepared to die, and the brother to be the executioner.

The Major, strict to the maxims of cruelty, stands close to see that the piece was properly loaded, which being done, he directed that the third motion of his cane should be the signal to fire. Accordingly at the third motion, the Major (instead of the prisoner) received the bullet through his head, and fell lifeless to the ground. The man had no sooner discharged his piece, than throwing it to the ground, he exclaimed as follows: "He that can give no mercy.
no mercy let him receive. Now I submit! I had rather die this hour for that man's death than live an hundred years and take away the life of my brother." No person seemed to be sorry for this unexpected piece of justice on the inhuman Major, and the man being ordered into custody, many gentlemen present who had been witnesses of the whole affair, joined to entreat the officers to defer the execution of the other brother till the Queen's pleasure should be known.

This request being complied with, the city chamber that very night drew up a very feeling and pathetic address to her Majesty, setting forth the unparalleled cruelty of the deceased officer, and humbly entreating her Majesty's pardon for both the brothers.

The brothers were pardoned, and discharged from serving in the army.