Outlaws in Alabama

A party of outlaws known as Tom Clark's band, whom even the late Confederacy did not recognize, and for the arrest of whose leader Gen. Hood, of the Southern Army, offered a large reward last fall, have lately been making sad havoc in Northern Alabama. They made a descent upon the house of John S. Wilson of Florence, killed him by roasting in order to extort some money, and then killed the rest of the family, including the overseer, his wife, and two daughters. A lad named Foster escaped after being severely wounded by feigning death. The troops succeeded in capturing two men, who upon being recognized by young Foster, were shot. The soldiers continuing the pursuit, killed two more on their own recognizance.

American Citizen (Canton, MS) 05 Oct 1865

Note: The only word I absolutely couldn't make out was roasting/rousting. Am unsure which is correct.