Mock execution at an 8th grade school program

[Pvt. Rufus Guy]

What do you guys think about this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNH8h..._embedded#t=72

It's an artillery group that does a little bit of infantry that is staging a mock execution of teachers in front of an 8th grade class. This video appears on their web site so they obviously condone the behavior. It's in a section on their site for teachers and school programs to view to consider this group to come out and conduct a living history program at the school.

I know I don't post often, so excuse my number of posted comments. I don't spend a whole lot of time on a computer.

[Curt-Heinrich Schmidt]

Hallo!

On the one hand, a good time was had by all.

On the other hand...

No small wonder reenactors have difficulty earning respect as historians capable of interpreting and presenting history.

Others' mileage will vary...

CHS
We have met the enemy, and he is... us Mess

[3rd_PA_Artillery]

IMHO, its usually fine when there's an execution scene, but when it involves a spectator being killed, I don't quite approve of it. And especially at a school when the executed person/persons is a teacher or even a student. It harkens back to horrible days, i.e. Columbine School, Amish School, Virginia Tech, etc.

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

And folks wonder why the historical community often frowns on the actions and lack of knowledge of reenactors. This is in poor taste, lacks common sense, and is historically inaccurate. There are way too many other facets to focus on for a school living history.

[Pvt Schnapps]

Unsafe, unauthentic, inane, grotesque, a travesty, and absolutely without any redeeming social value.

I'm sure if I wanted to spend more than 20 seconds of my life on this I could think of worse things to say.

[garretttcrooks]

this is a result of very poor schedule planning and loose school board... it isnt funny in any way

[Justin Runyon]

Nothing to be said but what was said by Schmidt, Lamoreaux, & Schaffner.

[Rob Weaver]

I wish we could consign the mock executions to the dustbin of reenacting along with the bad old west shootouts that used to occur on the hour in theme parks in the early 60s. This one raises a number of other issues. Along with the ones already mentioned, how about liability? If one of those teachers were in any way injured, has that unit not hung its own posterior in the wind?
What if instead of a firing squad, the teacher squad becomes the opposing line against which to maneuver? so you can show linear warfare and the simulated effect of a volley in one fell swoop. Providing that the conditions of my first question above are favorable.

[FloridaConfederate]

HARPER'S WEEKLY - SEPTEMBER 26, 1863.
Issue 622

Mr. Waud writes: "The crime of desertion has been one of the greatest drawbacks to our army. If the men who have deserted their flag had but been present on more than one occasion defeat would have been victory, and victory the destruction of the enemy. It may be therefore fairly asserted that desertion is the greatest crime of the soldier, and no punishment too severe for the offense. But the dislike to kill in cold blood—a Northern characteristic—the undue exercise of executive clemency, and in fact the very magnitude and vast spread of the offense, has prevented the proper punishment being applied. That is past; now the very necessity of saving life will cause the severest penalties to be rigorously exacted. The picture represents the men who were sentenced to death in the Fifth Corps for desertion at the moment of their execution. Some of these had enlisted, pocketed the bounty, and deserted again and again. The sentence of death being so seldom enforced they considered it a safe game. They all suffered terribly mentally, and as they marched to their own funeral they staggered with mortal agony like a drunken man. Through the corps, ranged in hushed masses on the hill-side, the procession moved to a funeral march, the culprits walking each behind his own coffin. On reaching the grave they were, as usual, seated on their coffins; the priests made short prayers; their eyes were bandaged; and with a precision worthy of praise for its humanity, the orders were given and the volley fired which launched them into eternity. They died instantly, although one sat up nearly a minute after the firing; and there is no doubt that their death has had a very salutary influence on discipline."

CJ Rideout
Tampa, Florida

[FloridaConfederate]

OR Series II Volume IV Page 546 of 951 - Prisoners of War

HEADQUARTERS NORTHEAST MISSOURI DIVISION,
Macon City, MO., September 23, 1862.

Major A. F. DENNY, Huntsville, Mo.

MAJOR: Captain Burkhardt has been directed to take back to Huntsville the following prisoners: Charles King, Charles Tillotson and D. S. Washburn. With regard to these men you will observe the order herewith inclosed which will be your warrant for the execution, and I hope that this example will have such a satisfactory effect that no further execution in your vicinity may be necessary. I wish the execution of these men to be done with due from and ceremony, and thinking you may not be a war of the proper from give the following description of how it is to be done:

At the hour fixed the execution your whole command will be paraded and marched to the execution ground together with the condemned and the firing party; the firing party will be selected by lot from your men, six men for each prisoner. The march to the execution ground is in the following order: First, a company of your command; second, the prisoners, with the firing party in the rear of them; third, the rest of your command. Having reached the ground the command will be formed on three sides of a square, facing inward. On the open side the prisoners and firing party will be disposed as in the diagram*. Before going to the ground the muskets of the firing party will be loaded-not in the presence of the men who are to use them-and of each six one of them will be loaded with a blank cartridge, the others with ball. This is done in order that no individual of firing party may know to a certainly that this piece contained a ball. The prisoners are then blindfolded and made to kneel before the firing parties, and the commanding officer gives the order. "Ready! aim! fire!" Six men must be detailed as a reserve whose duty it will be to finish the execution of any one of the prisoners who may not be killed by the first discharge.

Instructed your firing party that they are simply discharging their duty, and however disagreeable it may be it is a duty, and they will show mercy to the prisoners by aiming true at the heart that the first fire may kill them. I hope, major, that the this solemn execution of a sentence and vindication of violated law may be properly conducted, and that both yourself and your men will do their duty faithfully however unpleasant it may be.

After the execution the whole command is marched by the dead bodies and they are then taken up and decently interred.

I am, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

LEWIS MERRILL,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

CJ Rideout
Tampa, Florida