Thanks! What I posted from John Massey’s book is all he has to say on the matter of the execution of the three men. Thought perhaps other sources might mention this event for identification purposes.

Regarding John MASSEY and “for what its worth”:
I have not looked at Owen’s Dictionary of Alabama Biography, but I will and thanks!

John MASSEY indicates he was born December 16, 1834 in Choctaw Co., Alabama. When he entered the University of Alabama in the fall of 1859, he did so as an older student and with the financial assistance of one of his kind neighbors, Colonel Alfred C. Yates. John’s educational opportunities were limited due to his family’s financial status and his family obligations. John became the primarily bread winner in 1847 when his father became ill. His father died in 1848, leaving a widow and three young boys with John being the oldest. His mother died in 1858 by which time the youngest son was about 20.

In September 1860, when John returned to the University from vacation, the military system had been instituted. John became quartermaster with the rank of first lieutenant in the Alabama Corps of Cadets. The whole corps, along with Dr. Garland of the U. of A., made a trip down the Tombigbee River to Mobile, where they stayed at the Battle House, and then they proceeded up the Alabama River to Montgomery to be presented to Gov. A. B. Moore and the Legislature. They presented a petition for additional funds for better equipment of the corps. The vote was unanimously approved. [What a field trip!]

He and some of the other older cadets went to various training camps throughout the state where they drilled new soldiers being prepared for war:
1) “During the vacation of 1861 I was placed in charge of the University buildings and quartermaster’s stores. I spent part of the time in drilling troops that were getting ready for active service.” (p. 152)
2) “Early in December 1861, Cadets Eugene A. Smith, C. H. Ellerbe, and myself were detailed to assist in drilling a regiment of troops being formed in Montgomery. We carried from Dr. Garland a letter of introduction to Governor A. B. Moore, which we presented on arrival in the city.
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“The camp was located near the river about where the electric light plant is now located. [1916] In this place we were occupied about two weeks in drilling the troops.” (p. 155)
3) “In February, 1862, I was promoted to a State lieutenancy, commissioned by the Governor, and placed in command of Company C of the Alabama Corps of Cadets. “ (p. 157)
4) “About the middle of April, 1862, I was detailed with three cadets to go to Huntsville to assist in drilling some new troops which were being collected in a camp of instruction under the direction of Ex-Governor Moore. “(p. 158) As John and the cadets neared Blountsville, word was received that Federal General Ormsby Mitchell had occupied a portion of Alabama. The new troops were rerouted to Gadsden, so John and the cadets headed there. “As soon as the troops assembled, Governor Moore had us all transported on a little steamboat up the Coosa River to Rome, Georgia, and thence by rail via Atlanta to Auburn, Alabama, where we drilled the troops on the campus in front of the college building, a place which has been the scene of many feats in military tactics during the last forty years.”

“All of the officers and cadets who had been drilling troops in different parts of the State were ordered back to the University about the middle of May. Before going on this expedition I had finished my studies, except some reviews and examinations. These were completed in the next month.” (pp. 158-9)

John struggled over the decision of remaining at the U. of A. as Assistant Professor and Instructor of Military Tactics, which Dr. Garland had offered to him, or joining the army. He joined the army in June, 1862. “I did not remain for the commencement exercises. I did not see myself graduate.” (pp. 159-160)

”Hilliard’s Legion (afterwards called Alabama Legion) was organized in Montgomery during the latter part of June, 1862.” (p.164)

”The Legion, as originally planned, consisted of four infantry battalions, one cavalry battalion, and a battery of artillery. The cavalry and artillery were soon detached from the Legion....”

“The infantry of the Legion was organized as follows: Colonel Henry W. Hilliard, Commander; Captain
Preston Hilliard, Adjutant General; Captain W. H. Fowler, Quartermaster; Captain Somerville, Commissary; Dr. Camillus Hilliard, Surgeon; Dr. H. P. Spangler, Chaplain.

"First Battalion.—Lieutenant Colonel Jack Thorington, Commander; Major John H. Holt, Major; Lieutenant John Massey, Adjutant; Dr. Conrad Wall, Surgeon.
Second Battalion.—Lieutenant Colonel Bolling Hall, Commander; Major W. Stubblefield, Major; Lieutenant C. Hall, Adjutant; Dr. J. B. Luckie, Surgeon.
Third Battalion.—Lieutenant Colonel John W. A. Sanford, Commander; Major Hatch Cook, Major.
Fourth Battalion.—Major W. N. Reeves, Commander.
The other officers I do not remember.
The First Battalion was composed of seven companies, as follows: Company A., Captain Daniel S. Troy, Commander; Company B, Captain Ridgeway, Commander; Company C, Captain George W. Huguley, Commander; Company D, Captain R. N. Moore, Commander; Company E, Captain J. W. L. Daniel, Commander; Company F, Captain N. Stallworth, Commander; Company G, Captain W.A. Middleton, Commander."(p. 165)

Massey gives considerable detail regarding his service, including the Battle of Chickamauga. (p.166ff.) Dr. Garland sent a letter to Massey requesting a third time that he return to the University. It seems that Massey had been on furlough and while gone the battalions had been consolidated and positions assigned leaving him without a place in the regiment. Lt. Colonel Troy advised Massey to remain with the regiment until he (Troy) could hear from the War Department. Troy sent a letter recommending Massey for honorable mention and promotion. After weeks of waiting, word finally came from the War Department. S. Cooper, Adjutant General, advised “No such name on our roster as Adjutant John Massey.” (p.196)
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“Upon this unexpected turn of affairs I took a statement from Colonel Troy, with Dr. Garland’s letter, to General Longstreet’s headquarters and obtained a passport to the University. The action of the War Department set me free to return to the position which had been open to me ever since I left it in June, 1862.” (pp.196-7)

”The passport was granted by General Longstreet without any question or hesitancy. I bade farewell to my friends, many of whom I never saw again. I had to return through Virginia and the Carolinas. I reached the University about the last of February, 1864." (p. 199)

Massey mentions the “Fight at Chehaw” in which the Alabama Corps of Cadets were involved (pp.206-7) and “Corps Sent to Blue Mountain, Pollard, and Blakely” (pp. 207-9) Pages 210-215 include the burning of the University, corps members wounded, march to Marion, and disbanding of the A.C.C. John Massey, Captain D. Poynor, Captain E. A. Smith, and Mr. P. F. Tricou upon their return to Tuscaloosa packed a few clothes and headed out walking to join Lee’s Army. When within about fifteen miles of Prattville, they met soldiers saying that General Lee had surrendered. They did not believe it. When they met soldiers who showed their paroles, they believed the terrible fact. (p. 215)

“In November, 1865, I voluntarily went to Lieutenant. Schrann, the officer in charge of Choctaw county, and took the oath of allegiance to the United States.” (p. 221)
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Re. John Massey's name not being on record with the Confederate War Department, he has this to say:

” I have had some satisfaction in finding that the Confederate War Department did have my name on its roster, as appears in the records published after the war. The following extract is from the “Official Records of the War of the Rebellion,” Series I., Volume XXX., PartII., page 534:

Roll of Honor, First Battalion, Alabama Legion: Adjutant John Massey; Private John H. Connor,* Company A; Private J. E. Wright, Company B; Private James M. Gibson, Company C; Private B. A. Davis,* Company D; Sergeant J. L. Cox,* Company E; Private A. J. Daw,* Company F.
* Killed in Battle(p. 197)

Comment: I have obviously taken the above out of context, and the tone and intent may have changed as a consequence. John Massey praises many individuals in his book and faults few.