That quote is taken from "The Story of a Common Soldier of Army Life in the Civil War, 1861-1865," by Leander Stillwell, Late of Co. D, 61st Illinois Infantry [Franklin Hudson Publishing Company, 1920].

Stillwell's regiment was called out on parade to witness the execution of David O. Dodd. "The manner of his execution was wretchedly bungled, in some way, and the whole thing was to me indescribably repulsive." And later, "But whenever my memory recalls the choking to death of that boy (for that is what was done), I feel bad, and don't like to write or think about it."

The 61st Illinois served in Arkansas (part of the Little Rock garrison) for about a year in 1863-1864, before being sent back across the Mississippi. Stillwell's book is one of the finest accounts of Union army life I've ever read.

He has very little to say about slavery, but writes with passion about the "war to restore the Union." That's what the war was all about to him and his comrades.