The Virginia in the Civil War Message Board

Execution of Webster & Castle Thunder 1867

The execution of A.C. Webster, who was sentenced to death by court martial for violation of his parole of honor, took place yesterday at Camp Lee, near this city. The prisoner held a commission under the bogus Pierpont government, and when first captured was released upon parole, but again took up arms against the Confederate States, and was a second time taken. For this military offence he was condemned to suffer death by hanging. He was accompanied from the prison to the camp yesterday by his spiritual advisor, Rev. Dr. Brown, of the Presbyterian Church, and by several military officials. The guard was composed of Wren's company of cavalry. The prisoner was dressed in the uniform of a Federal officer. He was extremely weak from an injury received when he attempted to make his escape on a recent occasion, but otherwise seemed to manifest considerable fortitude. On arriving at the ground, a half hour was devoted to religious exercises in the carriage, and the prisoner asked the officer in command to extend his time until 3 o'clock, the latest moment allowed by the terms of his sentence; but it was not deemed expedient to grant the request. He was assisted up the steps of the gallows and seated over the trap, and being asked if he had anything to say, declined to make any remarks. He gave the signal himself by dropping a hat from his hand, and at twenty-three minutes before 1 o'clock was launched into eternity. His death was almost instantaneous. It is about a year since a Yankee spy of the same name was executed by hanging, on the same spot.-Richmond Whig, 11th.

Memphis Daily Appeal (Jackson, MS) Friday, 17 Apr 1863 (Page 2)
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For more on his escape attempt which led to the injury noted above, see next news story.
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Castle Thunder.- This famous old prison for Confederate deserters, etc., is rapidly being fitted up by Capt. J.H. Greanar, for the manufacture of tobacco-the same purpose for which it was used before the war. It is an immense building, and Capt. Greanar is preparing machinery and making other arrangements which will enable him, if necessary, to turn out 10,000 pounds of manufactured tobacco per day. A walk over the old factory brings to mind many recollections of Confederate times. Here, in the fourth story, is the gable window, from which leaped the spy Webster, with his irons on; there the steps down which he was borne on his way to execution; there, on the lower floor, are the apartments of his wife and Dr. Mary Walker, and other females whose names became notorious during the war. The dungeons, which used to be tobacco sweat houses before the war, remain as they were left by the authorities, and one of them still has a hole which was cut through the eighteen-inch brick wall by some enterprising Confederate. Every part of the building has some incident connected with it. At this window a prisoner was shot dead for putting his head out against orders; in this alley, a petty officer of the Confederate Navy was instantly killed by the guard for "fooling" with him; and in that dark underground place, the prisoners used to tunnel themselves out into the open air, or into a close dungeon if they were caught. Lying dismantled in a loft formerly used as a hospital is the old flag-staff from which floated the colors that were followed by so many brave men during the four long years, and which are now furled forever.-Richmond Dispatch

The Daily Clarion (Jackson, MS) 16 Feb 1867 (Page 2)