1861年秋日的一个下午,阳光灿烂。在弗吉尼亚西部,一名士兵潜伏在路旁的月桂丛中。他脚尖着地俯卧在那儿,头枕在左前臂上,右手伸出,松松地握着来福枪。要不是他的四肢摆放得有板有眼,以及背后皮带上挂着的子弹盒在有节奏地上下起伏,人们准会以为他已经死了。其实他是在自己的哨位上睡着了。如果被长官发现,他会即刻没命——于他的罪行而言,死刑无疑是公正合法的惩罚。 One afternoon autumn 1861, sunny. In western Virginia, a soldier lurked in the laurel road beside the road. He was prone on his toes, his head resting on his left forearm, his right hand out, his rifle loosely held. Whether his limbs were well-groomed and the bullet boxes hanging on the belt behind him rhythmed up and down, one would expect that he was already dead. In fact, he is asleep in his post. He would be instantly dismissed if he was found by the Crown Governor - for his crimes, the death penalty is undoubtedly a fair and lawful punishment.