Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1828-05-15

upon the state menS OF the WrfteF. Illus
fortified by truth, we 60 back and pub
lish the first number of"A Tennessean,"
which relates some circumstances con-
necled with the unfortunate Woods's
case, which we're not given in the certi-
hcates published last week, and which
seem proper for full understanding of
this melancholy tragedy.-W Rep.
From the Kentucky Reporter.
| THE CASE OF JOHN WOODS.
Great feeling has been excited in the
public mind, and much discussion, in
consequence of the execution of the six
militia men, at Mobile, during the late
war; but to nv mind the circumstances
attending that display of military power,
were not as appalling and cold blooded,
as the case Of the unfortunate JOHN
WOODS, in the Creek nation, at Fort
Strotber. This man had not deserted,
but was an energetic, thoroughgoing
soldier; hearty, hale and in the prime
of life, and who had volunteered his
services in defence Of his country's
rights. What was his erimeI Ianswer,
if it could be called crime, it was quite
veniaL Every man who has been con
versant with an army of men composed
of volunteers, is well aware that a ma
iority of common soldiers have as high
sense of honor and feeling as their off.
cers-indeed when the enrolements take
place there is no distinction, conse.
quently there is more familiarity among
the officers and men and a greater i'm
patience of control, than there is in a
regular army--or even in militia. The
day on which Woods committed the of.
fence, which he expated with his life,
he was on guard. The officer who rom
manded the guard, had permitted Woods
after his relief, to go TO his tent and
snatch hasty breakfast. His mess bad
| finished; and left something for him in
the skillet. Seated on the ground by
the side Of this skillet, he was enjoying
an humble repast, perhaps thinking of
home and the friends he bad left behind
when petty, self important assistant
to staff officer, passed along, who or
dered Woods to pick up and carry off
| some bones that lay scattered about the
place. Woods refused to comply with
the order, stating he was on guard;-
! the other with an oath, swore that he
should do it, and also cursed him for
leaving his guard fire. Woods still re.
fused and rose to return to bis guard,
saving that he had obtained leave of his
officer for his absence. BY this time
the half officer fairly sweiled with rage
and flew to a gun that was laying ia the
mouth of tent, to compel him to obey,
or to take him prisoner; but poor Woods,
nothing daunted, primed his gun, and
! told the little officer or any one else not
to approach him on their peril; and
then deliberately walked to his guard
and surrendered himself prisoner to the
officer on duty. In the mean time, the
little officer, with all bis command, could
get no person to assist in taking him.
GENERAL JACKSON having heard the
noise came out Of his tent, and without
knowing any thing of the merits of the
case, repeatedly vociferated, "Shoot the
2amn'd rascal Shoot The damn'd res,
coi!'
This, then, as the sum and substance
Of WOODS offending. And will the peo-
pie of our free and happy land believe,
that for this crime one of their fellow
beings was shot to deathe answer yes,
and under circumstances of peculiarly
aggravated nature. am told that at
| this time GEN JACKSON is mild and ra-
Their religious in language. This was
not the case al The time % the murder
of ooDs--for then he was violent, out
rageous and profane. Addressing some
Tor alD of the court martial that were
to try WOODS, be told them to be eau
tous in rendering their verdict against
the prisoner, for, said he, by the I'M.
MORTAL GoDs, II you find him guilty ]
,OiH not pardon him, Thus closing eve
ny avenue of access to his obdurate
breast The trial proceeded, and a
verdict of guilty was soon rendered,
when poor, friendless, unprotected
WooDs fell a victim to the vindictive-
ness of this fell and bloody tyrant. The
case will appear still more horrible and
marked with symptoms OF unreienting
cruelty, when it is further known, that
pardon was offered, if he would EN-
LIST IN THE REGULAR SER
| VICE; but the i'll fated man, still re-