Johnson, William Henry, CollectionWilliam Henry Johnson Collection, 1861-1862 Ms.2023.017Tyler Williams, Student AssistantSpecial Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech

2023 (CC0 1.0)

Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries (0434)560 Drillfield DriveNewman Library, Virginia TechBlacksburg, Virginia 24061Business Number: 540-231-6308specref@vt.eduURL:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2023-08-07 13:50:00 -0400.Description is written in: English, Latin script. Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech William Henry Johnson Collection Ms.2023.017 0.2 Cubic Feet 1 oversize folder 1861-1862 This collection contains American Civil War materials relating to the execution of William Henry Johnson, including four newspapers covering the event, three letters written by witnesses to the execution, and the signature of Major General William B. Franklin. The materials in the colleciton are in English. Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

 Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use

The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.

Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction.

Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.

 Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], William Henry Johnson Collection, 1861-1862, Ms2023-017, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

 Source of Acquisition

The William Henry Johnson Collection was purchased by Special Collections and University Archives in September 2016.

 Processing Information

The processing, arrangement, and description of the William Henry Johnson Collection was completed in May 2023.

 Biographical Note

William Henry Johnson was a Private in Company B of the 1st New York Cavalry Regiment during the Ameircan Civil War. On December 4, 1861, Johnson deserted the Union Army and attempted to make his way south to the Confederate front-lines. While making his way to the Confederate lines he encountered a Union reconnaissance unit returning from patrol, whom he mistook as Confederates. After identifying himself as a Union deserter and offering to provide the location of Union pickets, he was placed under arrest and taken to the Provost Marshal. Johnson was subsequently court-martialed and sentenced to death. Johnson's execution took place on December 13, 1861, and marked the first time that a deserter was executed by the Union Army.

External Source:

"The 13 December 1861 Execution of Pvt. William Henry Johnson at Fairfax Seminary" (Dec. 12, 2011), Civil War Washington, D.C. blog, http://civilwarwashingtondc1861-1865.blogspot.com/2011/12/13-december-1861-execution-of-pvt.html, accessed May 2023.

 Scope and Content

This collection contains materials relating to the execution of William Henry Johnson. This collection includes a copy of The Philadelphia Enquirer from December 21, 1861; a copy of Harper's Weekly: A Journal of Civilization from December 28, 1861; a copy of The Illustrated London News from January 11, 1862; and a copy of Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper from April 4, 1862. These newspapers provide details about William Henry Johnson's desertion, trial, and execution. Also included in the collection are several letters written by people who witnessed the execution. This collection also includes a cut-signature of Major General William B. Franklin, who was the court-martial convening authority.

 Rights Statement for Archival Description

The guide to the William Henry Johnson Collection by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 (https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/).

 Civil War United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Desertions Johnson, William Henry, d. 13 December 1861 Letter from W. S. Milmime to Alfred Milmime1861-12-151Letter from Dewitt Trump to John Edwards1861-12-231Letter from Eli Hitchcock to Father and Mother1862-01-131William Buel Franklin Signaturen. d.1The Philadelphia Inquirer1861-12-141Harper's Weekly: A Journal of Civilization1861-12-281The Illustrated London News1862-01-111Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper 1862-04-041