George Martin
02 07 1863 [Saturday]
At three and one-half o’clock the Regiment was formed and two men, John Keeling, Company B, and Wm Elkin, Company I, were marched out in front where their sentenances were read and executed for desertion. John Keeling was to wear a ball and chain for two months, with the loss of two month’s wages, doing police duty all the while in the Regiment. Elkins was tied to a post and given thirty-nine lashes on his naked back. He then was branded on the left hip with the letter “D.” This was done by J. N. Stamper, Drum Major. Then Elkins was drummed out of the service to the tune of Yankee Doodle. This looked pretty hard but he deserved all of it. The Regiment then returned to camp expressing their dislike for such discharges.