Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-02-13
PROVIDENCE.

shot at Mobile, IN the winter of the year 1915,
account is from an eye witness to the dreadful
scene, and may be relied upon as strictly cor
rect.
Harris was u Baptist preacher, With
large family. He had hired as a substitute 70
three months. This was the case with most of
them. They we're ignorant men, but obstinate
n wha, they believed right, and what they
had been tod by their officers was right.
They were all sure they could not be kept be-
| yond three months, and they gave up their
muskets, and had not provisions dealt out TO
them, from the public stores, before they left
| the camp. THIS confirmed their convictions that
hey were right and doing wha, was lawful
lol. Russell commanded at the execution.
The Militia men were brought to the place in
a largo wagon. The military dispositions be-
ing made, Col. Russell rode up to the wagon
and ordered the men to descend. Harris was
he only ono who betrayed feminine weakness.
The awfulness Of the occasion; his wife and
nine children; the parting with his son; and
! HE fear of a quickly approaching igromin!ous
! death! quite ovcrcame him, and he sunk IN I'M
manly grief. No feeling Of military pride
could brace him up.
Col. Russell, doubtless, fel, as "a man, but
he felt also for the pride Of the army, and de-
sired TO animate the men with foi,Itudc. You
IRE about 10 die, said he by the sentence OF a
Court Martial die like men; Ike soldiers.
| You have been brave in the field you nave
fought we'll do no discredit to your country,
or dishonor to the army. or yourselves, by
any unmenly fears. Meet your fate with couT-
age"
Harris attempted to maho some apology for
his conduct. but whiio nc spoke, he wepi bit.
terly. he fear of death, the 'Gea thai he
should never again behold his wife and liills
| ones, and his son Weeping neas Inn, had TAX
en- such entire possession OF hs mind that it
was impossible he should rally
Lewis, the gallant Lewis, SAID in a clear
and manly tone, Colonel, | have served my
country well. | love il dearly and would, Il
| could. serve 1t longer and better have
tough, bravely yeu knor [ have, and HERE
| have a right to say so MYSELF. | would
not wish to die in tn way" here his voice
fai,orcd, and he passed the back of his right
hand over his eyes { did not expoc' t: But,
| am nov az firm as | have been in battle and
you shall sec that l viii die as becomes a sol
der. You know 4 am i brave man Yes,
LOWS, said the Colonel, you have always be-
haved ike a brave man Other sentences
were uttered, oihes declarations were made,
and other words Of comfort spoken, but they
we're lost on mo; my attention says an Eye
Witness being chief directed 10 Lewis.
Six collins were ranged as directed, and on
each of them knelt one of Our condemned
American Militia Men. Such asight as new
or seen before! | trus, in God il never will he
seen again! Six soldiers were detailed and
drawn up to fire at each man. What an aw-
ful duty! Their white caps were drawn over
tho faces of tho unhappy men. Harris evi-
,;o,,l, trar,hIaJ apI 4 could ,itposf n.ysu,lo
myself that the heart of Lewis vas enlarged,
and that his bosom rose ,.ith manly courage,
to meet death. The fatal word was given
and they all fell.
As we approached tho scene Of blood and
carnage, Lewis gave signs Of iifo-ths res,
were all doad-hc crawled upon his coffin.
After the lapse Of few minutes ne said !
give his very word - Golonel'--.the Colonel
vas close to HIM Colonel, | am not killed,
but | an sadly cut and mangIed' HIS body
w,s no. examined, and il was found thai but
four balls had wounded him Colonel, said
he, did | behave we'll yes, Le%s'-said
tho Colonel n The klndest tone Of voice like
a man sWoll sir, said he, have I moi atom
ed for this offence? Shall not lise?' The
colonel was much agitated, and gave orders
that the Surgeon should, # possible, pre-
serve his life. They did all that skill and hui
maaitv could dot was all OF no avail. Poor
Lewis expressed a great desire to live not '
sad he at one time, tina / fear death, but
would repent me Of some sins, and | desire to
1--we vet a little longer in the world He suf-
ferod inconccivable agony, from his wounds.
and Ord on the fourth day.
Many a soldier has wept over his grave.
He was a brave nan, and much beloved. He
suffered twenty deaths. have seen the big
drops chase ach other down his forehead with
pain and anguish. There waa as much -ensi-
bility and sympathy throughout the camp. |
would not have, ~unjustly and unnecessarily
sioned this deaih-warrant, for all the wealth
Of all the Indies. The soldiers detailed to
shoot Lewis had, from strong feelings of sym
pa,Ly, or mistaken humanity, failed to shoot
him bu, four balls had entered his body.
AN Eye Witness appeals TO Col Russell,
who no thinks row lives in Alabama for the
~perfsc, truth of this sketch. He does MOI fear
but The Colonel will keenly recollect and faith
fully depic, he horrors of the day on which
SIX Americans we're shot 10 death under his
command; bat not by his orders
That the reader may correctly understand
the HISTORY of this affair, we will here state il
as it is. Those men were drafted from the
militia of Tennessee, rs we believe, and as
they supposed, for tho term of three months
only, and after the lapse Of that period IN
conjunction with about one hundred OF their
companions in arms. concoiying that they
could not be legally detained any longer, bid
the camp adicu. and took up their line OF
march. for their homes and their families.
They had no, proceeded far, before thoy were
arrested, tried by a Cout n%riial. and all
save the six, whose fate IS told III tho forego-
mn article. uero arouitted. Harris and his