From The Alexander Papers

8/1/62 HQs Army of the South West Circular- The misconduct of a comparatively small number of bad men is bringing all the troops into disrepute. Through mistaken feeling of Kindness, their offences have been again and again forgiven, or else but, lightly punished. - This course has increased, instead of lessening, the evil. A different one will henceforth be adhered to. -Discipline, of the strictest sort, will be enforced, at all hazards.

The severest penalties will be inflicted, without hesitation, upon offenders of all grades. Desertion, Mutiny, Disloyalty, and Plundering, or any attempt at either, or manifestation or expression of any such intention, will be punished with death.

Two men of Morgan’s Regt of Ark Infy [26th Ark Infy] and two men of Hart’s Btry have suffered death today. - Their names were Amsick McCance and Michael Donahoo of Morgan’s Bn and Thomas J and John Welch of Hart’s Btry. - Their crime was desertion. Let this example be remembered. Good men have nothing to fear; Bad men must reform, or share the fate of these deserters.

The service records for the two in Morgan's outfit say they were "shot for desertion at Camp Texas, Aug 1st 1862