Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-10-23

.
would now state the particulars OF their eKecu.
ton Some days previous to the day otexecuticn.
an officer from Fort Charlotte at Mobile, brougt
me a written request from seven criminals in L,
Fort, viz John Harris, Henry Lewis and others ]
SIX militia AMI one regular, signed by each
one in his own hand writing, desiring ne to visil
chem, which regularly attended 10 from that da
TO their death, instruc,ins, "xhortng and praying
with them. But few Gays before their execution
a brgadier Gen. L. came 10 me requesting me. in
his own name and in the name Of other officers Of
The army, by whose desire he came TO draw petit
ton Tor the rcprieve of those lift could he done
consistent with the SCfefy authority oil the 4rny,
saying il was the opinion of The officers that would
he the most proper for me TO he the author of such
a petition. accordingly recommended writing,
as could get moment ION other duties. But
Gen. L. soon returned, and told me il would be OF
no use 10 write, Tor the officers on further consi
dcrng the case, were satisfied it could not be done
consistent tr,h The safely and due Sudordtn0tion
IA The drR.y. There was therefore no alternative
but that they must suffer he penalties OF the rio
I idfed ia;c. then discontinued writing and re-
!, newcd my labors with the criminals. In cons
quence Of This opinion oil the officers, no applica-
ton within my knowledge was made TO Genera
! Jackson, WHO then at New Orleans, from z
TO 800 miles from Mobile Tor the rcprieve Of those
men.
| AT the same time tina, these six men were con-
vicied, there were upwards Of hundred persons
convicted and sentenced TO various punishments
were, on account Of pa''iatng circumstances, re-
] commented 20 General Jackson by the court mar
tia for par'on--ant believe in every instance in
! which there was recommendation for pardon, a
pardon was granted
] The day before they we're executed, my duties
in the army claimed my intention ia the after
[. noon, that could not visit them Til time az
! ter dark then felt weary and il was little diff
l ilcult and something dangerous. passing out and
in through the lines at night yet felt desire TO
q them heir sirps
and TO wres,e with them for mercy of their souls;
but while sat for a moment, hcsitating in my
mind, mentioned my exercises TO some of the
I: officers, and they immediately commenced exior-
! iinS me hy al! means TO go. This strengthened
aud gratihcd 10 the decided interests that eve
! ry officer showed iii their behalf. took chap
lain from another regiment with me, and found
! my way 10 these unfortunate men again. Whe !
arrived at The fort, found them earnestly engag-
/ ed in religious exercises; number OF persons
i were standing around III silent and solemn thought
f.; fitness, such as have often seen around the al
!, tar at camp meeting when there is pow er.ul
] and solemn work OF God going But the mo
nent entered the door they all rose and for some
time was obliged TO give myself up to them,
whilst they hung upon me IN the most a!fectionat>
! manner until their strong excitement had subsidized
a little. then int oduced the other chaplain to
| Them, alter which we united in prayer until their
| feelings became calm. then endeayored 10 com
pose their minds as well as L could, and called
them to take on opportunity TO speak OF Whatever
they wished in relation 10 themselves, their tamil
lies, Or whatever was On their minds, that they
would wish TO mention before they left tie world
They then spoke with conposure and freedom, one
after the other ,uli each had in a solemn mann,r
freed his mind They spoke OF themselves, their
families and come xons descending to particulars
IN various instances But III all this no reflection
was cast on any one i'll relation 10 their convic-
/ ton, nor any inunation that they thought their
! sentence was unjust. Although my object in cal
ing them 10 this particular conversation, was, ia
abs ali Il IL.
other chaplain, that they might say to me at Ills
| trying hour Whatever lay on their minds. they
| seemed TO have confidence in me After which
we again engaged IN prayer TO God, AID continued
the struggle ill late at night. 1t was the last
night they were 10 have on earth, and their con-
| Vtciiccs Tor sin seemed to be clear, rational and
strong. They iarnented their sins, and iinpored
the pardoning mercy OF God to their souls. rhe>r
| exercises were continued until gained that ho;e
o! the greatest, CT may say of nearly all OF them
that ii was well with their souls, which has been
source OF great consolation 10 NE, until this day.
when have thought OF it. They appeared not
TO regard dying, If was part OF THEN concern APP
Pareny; one OF them Lewis, said - had d thou.
! sand times rather have pardon from Jesus than
all the rcprIeyes Gen. Jackson can write Mr.
| Hams, who had been preacher, had before this
time told me;b he wished 10 leave some papers with
ne, TO be used as nay own discretion might die
| tate. after bis death. But az / expected 10 have
| opportunities with them in the morning, did MOI
take them that night. But as III The troops OH the
station We're taken on the ground TO witness the
execution, except such as were duty, the time
was SO taken up that the hour of execution had
come, by the time the troops were on the ground
so that every thing else dispensed with, and
the execution took place Immediately, and | dl,
not obtain the papers in consequence of il. As
had been requested TO preach on the occasion 4
needed the morning TO make some preparations for
1t, and Of couse had TO omit visiting them in the
morning. was present and saw the execution
The instant the platoon fired the criminals all Tell
renamed mo,ionlcss until the whole army had pas
So by them, when some one observed that Lewis
was not dead Upon this observation being made
alighted from nay horse. This the first motion
oil lir that had been noticed. He Immediately reyiy
ed,and said shall not die if they don't shoot me a.
gain spoke TO him, and asked him il lie knew
met lie wiped the blooI oil his face with his
hand and looking up said yes, i do, you PRAYED for
me yesterday and la st night; pray ior ne sui
replied, pray tor yourself, Lewis, while YOU have
breath to breathe, call OF God for mercy He
sau DO and VIII, and then repeated shall no ole
/! they 10 no; shoot me again. said 10 him, hos,
ever tlat may be, maintain that nobly superior re
gard ior your soul which you manifested last ngh;
he sad do hut would be glad to live If the gentle
men officers viii have mercy ON me. 1 am not an
! enemy " my country, and never was-he tn n
spoke OF officers that were as guilty as he asand
SAID II II had not been foi them, he would no
have acted as he had While taking in this man
ner he said, there, they arc going to sh,ot toe A..
gain, and placed both bis hands on his face.
ten observed two men making ready TO shout
him. but at this moment an officer declared the
Time wasout. An officer rode at full speed to Mai
ten. Winch, to know what should be done: and
syonfeturned With orders 10 save him if they could
ne was theu laid on blanket aud carried 10 the
hospital, where Tie surgeon attended and oressed
ms wounds, and found him very badly wounded.
The next day attended him and found him per-
icetiy composed, cOnyersed with hir. and vas in |
siructed BY hiIo 70 write TO his people, which, &C.
coidbgy did W bile were talking, ne had !
occasI0n % spill IS said spii noson .fnn -,