The Greensborough Patriot

July 5, 1862

Page 2

MILITARY EXECUTION AT KINSTON. – A gentleman who was in Kinston informs us that he saw two negroes, one a treeman the other a fugitive slave shot by 12 men each in pursuance of the sentence of a Court Martial. It appears that they were caught by a picket of five men Capt. J. L. Bryan’s cavalry (who received therefore a reward of $40 each) that they had been sent out from Newbern, with commissions from Gen. Burnside, to decoy off slaves from the country, that they were to receive $50 each for every slave brought to Newbern that they had secured fifteen slaves when captured; that they had caps with “U. S.” on them. On this state of facts they were tried, condemned and executed. All right. Let this good work go on. – Fay. Obs.