I mean it's hard to imagine how hard a man's heart can become to laugh at a child begging for his life. Or to urinate on a vanquished foe who at one point had displayed such chivalry to his own enemy.

Yeah it do make one wonder don't it. Not to correct you compadre, but I think you mean the Shelton Laurel killings carried out by Lt. Col. James A. Keith of the 64th NC Infantry, CSA in Madison County NC, circa Jan. or Feb. of '63. His commanding officer Col. Lawrence M. Allen was present but suspended from active command due to a money making scheme he had going. Taking coin from conscripts to let them go, I think. However it's been a couple of years since I've read William Trotter's book on the war in the mountains of NC.

The unarmed victims ranged in age from 13 to 60. Of the thirteen killed maybe five had been involved in unionist activity. After the 64th had tortured the sisters, mothers and wives of the men, they rounded up the thirteen men and took them down the road telling them they were taking them to be questioned. Not far down the road they saved the expense of a trial and killed them all. Allen as he was not officially in command of the unit was never charged with any crime, though he would be suspended again for another scheme involving illicit funds. The Confederate military dragged their feet on Keith but the Governor of the State was from that neck o' the woods and wanted justice. Keith was finally charged after the war, but got off on President Johnson's amnesty pardon. Both Keith and Allen went west to Arkansas or Missouri and as far as I know lived happily ever after. Suggest you read William Trotter's "Bushwhackers. The War in NC,"

Chase