The Sun.
London, England, 1864-11-21 00:00:00

Six Confederate Soldiers Shot.

The St. Louis Republican contains an account
of the shooting of six Confederate soldiers at St.
Louis by order of the Federal General commanding,
in retaliation for killing Major White and his six
comrades by guerillas. When the prisoners arrived
on the ground they were marched to the places
fixed for the execution, these being six upright
pine posts set in the ground, with square hard seats
attached for each man to sit upon. They took their
places upon their seats, each with comparative
calmness, and nearly all with appearances of resig-
nation to the dreadful fate that stared at them so
immediately. Bat little emotion was displayed by
any of the six, except Nicholas and Minniken—the
latter commenced prayerful ejaculations, and in a
subdued tone of voice soon after being seated,which
he kept up until the bandage was tied over his
eyes—after that his only remark was, "Boys, when
you shoot me, kill me dead." Nicholas made no
remarks, but kept weeping from the time of taking
his seat until the bandage was placed over his eyes.
Ladd and Bunch exhibited some slight evidences
of dejection, but not a word escaped them during
the whole scene. Blackburn sat still and stolid
upon his seat, and throughout was as imperturbed
as a statue. No muscle of his face quivered—there
was no wildness in his eye—not a movement that
denoted the slightest uneasiness in his manner.
Gatos, who was only 21 years of age, and perfectly
beardless, at first manifested a most, singular in-
difference. He had the manner of a young man
just the least embarrassed upon the introduction to
starngers—yet, withal, there was no fear in the
expression of his features, but rather a manifesta•
tion of self-confidence, as one who had a great and
dangerous duty to perform, and who felt himself
equal to it. Towards the end he began to mani-
fest emotion, and speaking to one of the attending
physicians who was standing near by, asked,
" Don't you think there is any hope that
it will be postponed ? " and on being an-
swered in the negative he moaned occasionally, and
at intervals made use of the following expressions:
" 0 Lord have mercy upon me ! " " Oh ! to think
of the news that is to go to my father and mother."
" Well, I an't the first, and I don't reckon I'll be
the last." "Lord have mercy upon me !" "To be
tied to a stake and shot ; I tell you it's awful."
After he had been tied to the stake, and Chaplain
M'Kim had prayed with him, he said, addressing
the guard, "Boys, I hope if any .of you are ever
shot, you e on't be shot as innocent as I am." Chap-
lain having said prayers with each prisoner,
and bid them goodbye, Cal. Heinrichs read the
order of execution, after which he informed the prie
Boners that if they desired to say anything they
could have an opportunity. There was no response
except from Minniken, who said, "I wculd like to
say a few words." He then with firm and distinct
voice and rapid utterance said, " Soldiers, and all
who hear me, take warning ! I have been a Con-
federate soldier for four years, and as such have
served my country faithfully. And I am taken out
now and shot for what I had nothing to do with.
fleece was a guerilla, and I am very sorry that I
have to be shot for tho acts of men that 1 had no-
thing to do with,
If I had taken and for what I am not guilty of.
any of you soldiers prisoners, I
would have treated you as such. I never would
have had you shot.
I hope God may I never would hurt anybody.
take mo to his bosom after I am
dead. 0 Lord, be with me!" Each prisoner's eyes
were then bandaged. When the sergeant approached
the
Minniken to put the bandage on his eyes,
soner said, " Sergeant, I don't blame you, I hope
I shall meet you in another world ; I hope I'll meet
you all in heaven. 0 Lord, have mercy on my poor
Soul!" Bunch and Blackburn still remained silent

and almost motionless. Minniken said, " Lord
have mercy on my poor sinful soul !" Gates
said, " 7ohn Nichols, we are going to die.
Farewell !" Minniken replied, " Farewell, we
will meet in a better world !" Gates responded :
" Farewell to all the boys !" Nothing more was said,
and the command to make ready was given. There
was a momentary suspense, and then a further com.

'mend, " One, two, fire !" and the entire volley was
discharged almost as one gun. Instantly the blood
spurted from the breast of each prisoner, and, quiver•
ing for :a moment, their heads fell upon their
shoulders, and their bodies lurched to one side, and
fell as near to the ground as they could with their
arms pinioned to the stakes. In this position the
blood streamed from their wounds, which were
nearly all in the breast, and in one cr two places
formea little pools upon the ground. The attending
physicians examined the bodies as soon as the firing
ceased, and found no signs of life in any except
Blackburn. In five minutes from the time the volley
was discharged they were all dead. Gates, after he
was shot, uttered the exclamation "Oh !" and
Blackburn cried out, " Kill me quick ;" but in an
instant later they were evidently insensible.