Here are sentences for desertion awarded to two men of the 43rd Tennessee Infantry, CSA, at Vicksburg.

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 sentences 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 all 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 no doubt he deserved all of it. The Regiment then returned to camp expressing their dislike for such discharges.

He [Elkins] was then marched before his regiment with a guard, the Fife and Dsrum playing Yankee Doodle, and turned loose to shift for himself a thousand miles from home. He hollowed and begged while he received the leather strap but all to no purpose. The colonel and General Reynolds was present besides three regiments and officers. I am glad the scene happened. It will serve as a lesson to us all.