The History of the 77th tells this story of the three men:
On the 2d of April, two of the boys from the 48th Ohio, and one from the 24th Iowa, were out foraging. They were caught by the rebel bushwhackers, and one of them shot. Our boys felt very indignant, and especially so, as Gen. Franklin had thrown constant protection around those fellows all along the line of march. And yet the flanks and rear of our army were constantly annoyed by these cowardly sneaks -- men who had not the courage to enlist and fight like soldiers, but stood at their gates and bowed as the army passed, and then, seeking the cover of the brush, acted their mean, contemptible part in the capture or killing of our men.
On some of the residences were placards bearing the inscription: "NEUTRALITY -- FRENCH PROTECTION HERE," and the French flag fluttered in the breeze. But the western boys had been too long in the service to show much respect for "French protection" or "neutrality," and even Franklin's "protection" availed them nothing, for the boys showed their contempt for all such claims, by sets of wholesale destruction as they passed along.The History of the Forty-Eighth Ohio told the story this way:
On the 2d of April, we arrived at Natchitoches, La., 127 miles above Alexandria. During our stay here, one of the soldiers of the 24th Iowa was killed in sight of camp by the rebels. He, with two of our Regiment, Pavy and McCune, of Company D, were just outside the lines, foraging, when they were surprised in a barn by two armed rebels and captured. Being unarmed, they made no resistance.
After tying them loosely together, they were marched back some distance and seated on a log, when the rebels decided to shoot them, and began tying them more securely. The Iowa soldier, who was in the middle, attempted to release himself; whereupon one of their captors fired, killing him instantly.
At this Pavy broke loose and ran for camp, with one of his captors after him, while McCune was knocked down with a musket by the other, who then turned and watched
the race. McCune, in the meantime, recovering, untied himself from his dead comrade, and made good his escape, as did also Pavy, who came into camp almost exhausted. A force of cavalry was sent out and the body of the dead soldier was brought in, and the house and barn burnt.
The two rebels were afterward captured, but claimed they were Confederate soldiers, at home on a furlough. The rebels threatened retaliation if they
were executed, so they were afterwards exchanged.
