October 14, 1863 (Friday): A Hanging In Norfolk

GENERAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. NORFOLK AND PORTSMOUTH, Numbers 13.
Norfolk, Va., October 14, 1863.
The following order is hereby transmitted:
GENERAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. DEPT. OF VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA, Numbers 17.
Fort Monroe, Va., October 10, 1863.
    The proceedings of the Military Commission instituted for the trial of David M. Wright, of Norfolk, Va., by Special Orders, Nos. 195, 196, and 197, of 1863, from the headquarters of the Department of Virginia, having, in accordance with section 5 of the act of Congress approved July 17, 1863, been submitted to the President of the United States, and the sentence having been approved, and the execution ordered by the President at such time and place as the major-general commanding the department may appoint, it is therefore ordered that the sentence that the accused, David M. Wright, of Norfolk, be hung by the neck until he be dead, be carried into execution on Friday next, the 16th day of October, at 10 o'clock in the forenoon, at such place in or near Norfolk ad Brigadier General James Barnes, commanding United States forces at that place, may designate.
     By command of Major-General Foster:


     SOUTHARD HOFFMAN,
     Assistant Adjutant-General.

In accordance with the above order, the execution of Dr. Wright will take place at the Fair Grounds, near this city, at the time specified above. The Twenty-first Connecticut Volunteers, One hundred and eighteenth New York Volunteers, and Regan's battery (without pieces), will be present, under the command of Colonel Dutton.
    The provost-marshal is charged with the execution of this order.
    By command of Brigadier General J. Barnes:


    GEORGE H. JOHNSTON,
    Assistant Adjutant-General.

Official Records, Series I., Vol. 29, Part 2, Page 322.

Dr. Wright had assassinated Lieutenant A.L. Sanborn in a Norfolk street while the later commanded a squad of African-American troops.  Wright hung himself in his cell before he could be executed.  His wife then committed suicide and one of their daughters was reported to have gone mad with grief.