Monroe County PA Archives News.....Thomas Christman, Deserter, Shot December 15, 1864
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Donald Buncie http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00034.html#0008389 July 16, 2023, 10:52 am

Jeffersonian Republican. (Stroudsburg, Pa.) December 15, 1864
Mr. Thomas Christman, of Ross township, in this county, was shot and almost
instantly killed, on Monday night last. It appears that Thomas was a deserter from
the army, and that on the evening in question several of the cavalrymen stationed at
this place, surrounded the house in which he was residing, preparatory to arresting
him. After placing One of their number as a guard at the door, the rest of the men
entered the house and made inquiry for Christman, who was secreted behind the door.
While the questions concerning him were being asked and answered, Thomas, with axe
in hand sprang out, struck at the guard, but fortunately missed him, and made for
the mountain. The cavalryman immediately started in pursuit, and repeatedly called
on him to stop, which he refused to do. Several shots were then fired at him, one of
which took effect in his head, and caused his death almost instantly. 
While the cavalrymen were in search of a deserter in Lehman township, Pike Co., on
Thursday night last, Mr. Jacob Cortright, a drafted man who had not reported, as was
his duty, fearing that he was the man wanted, made a desperate effort to place a a
swamp, in the neighborhood, between himself and the soldiers. He, too, was
repeatedly ordered to stop, but paid no heed to the orders, when he was fired on,
and received a severe flesh wound in one of his shoulders. We are pleased to learn
that his wound is rapidly healing.
We have heard rumor of another affray between the cavalrymen and a deserter in Pike
county, in which it is alleged that one of the soldiers received a flesh wound in
the leg, and that the deserter was shot in the hip, but we have as yet received no
well authenticated account of the transaction. 
These cases should be sufficient to convince all of the extreme folly of attempting
to resist the military officers in the prompt execution of their duty. It is right
that deserters should be arrested and returned to the service, which they
legitimately owe their country. The preservation of the Government requires this,
and those at the head of affairs are determined that it must be done. The laws of
the land make resistance to or interference with the military authorities punishable
with death. The deserters well know this, and if, knowing it, they are still bent
upon resistance, their blood must be upon their own heads. 

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