June 20, 1864. Petersburg, Virginia (vicinity) "The execution of Sergeant William Johnson, Negro soldier, at Jordan's farm. Hanged for Desertion and an Attempt to Outrage the Person of a Young Lady at the New-Kent Courthouse." (Supposedly he insulted a white woman and was made an example of to other soldiers who might be considering desertion; the outcome was not what the Federal Army had hoped for.) Wet plate glass negative by Timothy H. O'Sullivan. View full size.
  BUY PRINT    June 20, 1864. Petersburg, Virginia (vicinity) "The execution of Sergeant William Johnson, Negro soldier, at Jordan's farm. Hanged for Desertion and an Attempt to Outrage the Person of a Young Lady at the New-Kent Courthouse." (Supposedly he insulted a white woman and was made an example of to other soldiers who might be considering desertion; the outcome was not what the Federal Army had hoped for.) Wet plate glass negative by Timothy H. O'Sullivan. | Click image for Comments. | Home | Browse All Photos