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HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 351
Bridge, on the NCAV York side, and taken to NeAV York and confined on
Governor's Island.
Beall Avas charged before a military court Avith the seizure of the
steamer Philo Parsons; Avith the seizure of the steamer Island Queen;
with being a spy in the employ of the rebel service, and witli an attempt
to Avreck an express train betAveen Buffalo and Dunkirk, in NeAV York
State, for the purpose of robbery. He Avas tried, found guilty, and
sentenced to be hanged. The day fixed for his execution Avas the 18th of
February, 1865, but that the mother of the condemned man might have
an opportunity of seeing her son once more in life, President Lincoln
granted a respite for six clays. Beall paid the penalty of his crimes on
the 24th day of February, 1865, on Governor's Island, in NCAV York Bay.
"Soon after the arrival of the Sixth Veteran Reserve Corps considerable
detachments Avere sent from it for provost and other duties else-
Avhere, for of those AVIIO remained, infirm as many of them Avere by
Avounds and disease, the climate and exposure proved too severe, so that
all Avho remained for guard duty did not make good the absent detachments
of the One Hundred and Twenty-eighth. The Sixth Veteran
Reserve Corps left the command early in 1865.
"In vieAV of the contingencies on the frontier, and in order to hold
these posts Avith a less force, the United States Engineer Corps, under
under the direction of the Avar department, began the construction of
three forts in the fall of 1864; one on Cedar Point, at' the mouth of
Sandusky Bay opposite the island, and tAvo on the island. The expectation
Avas to do this Avork Avith hired labor, but laborers Avere so scarce
that men could not be obtained at the Avages offered. At this juncture
the colonel of the One Hundred and TAventy-eighth detailed parties
from his regiment Avho did at least tAVO-thirds of the Avhole Avork including
the mechanical part, and completed all three of the forts with their
magazines and mounted the guns. This AA'ork Avas done in the most
inclement seasons of the year, Avithout extra pay, and at a time Avhen the
other details Avere very heavy. But in this instance, as in all others,
officers and men applied themselves to the duties before them with an
intelligence and zeal Avhich promptly overcame difficulties and attained
the desired result in a A'ery creditable manner.
"Although the One Hundred and Twenty-eighth Avas often scattered
by detachments and much burdened Avith fatigue duty, its drill, including
infantry and a considerable range of heavy artillery, AA'as accurate
and thorough, and its equipment, discipline, and constant readiness for
emergencies and service Avherever ordered, gave assurance that it Avould
meet the just expectations, from Avhich they had been discharged on
account of disability by Avounds or sickness.
" In hastening the completion of the defenses at Sandusky Bay it Avas
anticipated that the regiments Avould soon be relieved by troops of the
Veteran Reserve Corps, and that then the One Hundred and Twentyeighth
Avould be sent to join some army in the field. Measures Avere
taken to have it ready for such an event. Fortune did not give the