Death Found Pvt. Alex J. Johnson 23-July-1863

Alex J. Johnson entered the Union Camp near Corinth, Mississippi on 1-July-1863 and enlisted in “D” Company, 1^st Alabama U.S. cavalry. He was mustered into service as a private the same day. A few weeks later while posted as a picket he deserted along with pvt. William Brown. He took with him his horse and all accouterments that had been issued to him. Nothing else was heard of him until 19-July-1863, when a Union scouting party captured a band of guerrillas about 8 miles outside of Corinth. Alex Johnson was among the guerrillas captured.

  A drumhead court was called upon on 21-July-1863 and Johnson was found guilty of desertion and other offences. He was sentenced to be executed by firing squad on 23-July-1863. On a hot dry July morning around 8 o’clock the Union Army began to assemble on the south-east parade ground. The entire military force was in place by 9:30 forming three sides of a hollow square. This would stretch about half a mile long on each side.

  The men would observe a slow moving procession coming from town. A band marched in front of a wagon playing the “dead march”. Alex Johnson sat on top of his coffin with his face in a handkerchief sobbing. Finally the procession reached the south-west corner of the square and stopped. The band marched forward playing the “Dead March” followed by four soldiers carrying his coffin, next walked Alex Johnson followed by 16 soldiers carrying reverse arms. This procession would march slowly up and down each line of the square until they had passed each Regiment. The procession would halt in the center where the execution was to be performed. The coffin was sat down, and Alex Johnson was left there with the Chaplin. The other soldiers took 20 paces from the coffin and prepared for the deadly volley. The Chaplin offered a prayer then each charge was read aloud. A picture was taken at this time. He was told it would be sent to his wife. The Officer in charge stepped forward, placing a blindfold around his head, asking him to sit or kneel on his coffin. Alex Johnson instead stood and begged for his life! He finally yielded and sat on top of his coffin. A few seconds later the command of fire was giving. Seven minie balls took effect, striking him in numerous vital parts of his body. Alex Johnson’s lifeless body fell to the hot parched earth never to breath again. A second picture was taken of Pvt. Alex Johnson in death. Death found Pvt. Alex J. Johnson on 23-July-1863 in the form of a deadly volley fired by a firing squad. He was survived by his wife, family, and friends. May Pvt. Alex J. Johnson RIP!