Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1828-03-13
FroR. Truths .Al!vscate.
JOHN WOODS.

JOHN WOODS.
The case of this militia man, exc
culed under the direction of General
jackson, at Fort Strolher in 1918, is
curious Instance of giving color in
The manner of telling story. Gen
Jackson's eulogist, Major Eaton, thus
relates it.
"The execution of private, John
WoodS,) who had been sentenced by
court martial, on charge Of mutiny
produced al this time great excitement,
and the most salutarv effects The
mutnous spirit, which had so frequent
ly broken into the camp, and for a
W bile suspended all active atoms,
remained to be checked. A fit occa
sion was now at hand 10 evince, that
although militia when at home, boast
an exemption from controul, yet in a
field, those high notions were to be a
bandoned, and subOrdination observed.
Painful as it was to the feelings of the
general, he viewed it as sacrifice
essential to the preservation of good
order, and left the sentence OF the
court to be inflicted. The execution
was productive of the most hoppy eff
iects; order was produced, and tina,
opinion, which had so long prevailed,
that a militia man was privileged, and
for no offence liable to suffer death,
was from that moment, abandoned,
and a siricter obedience than bad been
prac,ised, afterwards characterized the
army"
Maj Eaton is careful to say nothing
of the circumstances OF Wood'sofence.
1t is thus stated by writer IN the Ken
lucky Reporter:
1.-THE day on which WooDs COM
mitted the offence for which he expi-
ated with his life, he was on guard
The officer who commanded The guard
had permitted Woods after his relief
to go to his tent and snatch a hasty
breakfast His mess had finished, and
left something for him in skillet
Seated on The ground by the side ofhis
skillet, he was enjoying the humble
repast, perhaps thinking of his home
and the friends he had left behind,
when petty selfimportant ASSISTANT
to staff officer, passed along, who
ordered WooDs to pick up and carry
Off some bones that lay scattered about
near Replace. Woods refused TO com
ply with the order, stating that 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 refused, and rose to return
to his guard, saying that he had OBJ
tanned leave of his officer for bis alb
sence. By this time the HALE OFFICER
fairly swelled with rage, and flew to a
gun that was laying in the mouth of a
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 ap
proach at his peril; and then delibe-
ratcly walked to the guard, and sur
rendered himself prisoner to the officer
on duty. AT this instant, Gen. Jackson,
having heard the dispute, came out of
his tent, and without knowing any
thing of the merits of the case, repeat,
eddy vociierated-" Shoot the damn'd
rascal!-ShoOt the damn'd rascal" For
this offence, the unfortunate, the gal.
liant Woods, was tried, condemned and
shot Before his trial, Gen. Jackson
used this language to the court martial,
"By The immortal God! if you find him
guilty sciH not pardon himm And he
kept his promise; though he did offer a
pardon provided he would enlist in the
regular service-Ehus persisted as no
BILE fellow as ever lived, for as trif1iRg
an offence as ever took the life of mani!
The Legislature of Kentucky have
passed an act adopting general tick
ct for choosing Electors of President,
and Vice President-ths election to
be held on The first Monday in Nov
ember next, when each voter will vote
Nns