Rurouni Kenshin - Digital Colored Comics - Vol. 8 Ch. 66 - An Abandoned Village

[MangaDex]

 

[Kaarme]

The lucky enemies fight Kenshin, the unlucky ones Saitou. Although back then I reckon execution was the fate of rebels captured alive, so it wouldn't make a huge difference in the long run. But perhaps, for the mere underlings, there still was a chance of building a railroad, or doing other forced labour, for years and then getting released if still alive.