Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-07-25

in you have desired particular information shall,
therefore, say nothing in regard TO the facts atten-
ding his trial aud execution, farther than have
never had doubt as TO their being such as fully to
|. Justify the Court Martial who tried him, and the
commanding General who approved his sentence.
But YOU will reasonably infer from the Office
held in the army, that no individual enjoyed bet
fer opportuuity ofjudgng the conduct of the Gene
neral and determining whether it was in accord
aucc with the dictates of justice and humanity, or
otherwise. In justice to him, then, (ron the inior-
uiation possess) it affords pleasure to state,
that so far as was capable of Judging, man in
his situation, could have dealt out justice with
more impartial hand. Ii is true, perhaps,
that he was somewhat rigid, in enforcing subordi
s.:ation and wholesome discipline in his army, but
none, am persuaded, ever knew him 10 turn a
deaf ear to the claims OF innocence cries of dis
tress Now. IN order 10 give you toerably cor
rect idea OF the terrible necessity which rendered
the infliction Of capital punishment justfaDle in
our army, must, for moment, present to your
mind retrospective view of its progress and CON-
dton, anterior TO the time of Woodss trial anu
execution.
No sooner was it perceived that a war with the
Greek Indians was unavoidable, than our legisa-
ture, in anticipation OF the General Government,
ordered out competent numbered volunteers and
militia to carry the into the encmy's country.
and General jackson was selected AS the Com
Z riander in Chief. At first there no want oil
patriotic ardor in the troops, cheeEiulDess III
submitting to the sauary restraints, and hardship
inseparabe from active military duty. But the
army had TO penetrate into the heart of pathiess
wilderness OF vast extent, before any import ant
blow could be struck at The enemy, ami this was
not TO be accomplished at once; but was the result
of long continued exeltiun peril and priv .;ion.-
J In the outset, these difficulties were encountered
and partially overcome without murinur, and il
was some time before an instance occurred of
Court Martial, or the lightest punishment was i'll
fficed. But at length period arrived, when this
desirable condition OF the army was TO undergo a
gradual but perceptble deterioration. From the
negligence OF the public contractors other
causes, which will not attempt To trace after the
army had with an nde.cribable fatigue, opened Il
road with necessary bridges and causeways, and
penetrated considerable pth into the forest,
supplies became scarce in camp This, OF ITSELF is
always sufficient in army 10 create discontent;
butI then and still am Of the opinion, that that
circums,ancs was eagerly seized Oh by niany
pretext tor Their abans patriotism, when, in truth,
the ruling motive was an inward desire TO return to
their homes and iresdes, and thereby avoid the
hardships and dangers incident a farther prose-
cution oil the campaign. But whatever might
have been the cause o. motives by which they
were actuated, certain il is that there plainly
manifested about this period, spirit OF discomfort
and INSTRUMENTATION OH the part OF many officers
and soldiers day never passed without or
more courts martial before whom were frequently
brought divers offenders, ans the duties OF my OF
fee became combining and laboriouS.
At first the courts only sentenced those found
guilty OF offences, 10 the ightesi least gno
ininious punishments. Bnt at length hndin. iron.
observation and actual experiment. that such eX !
ampes did not serve TO deter other, from the
mission OF similar Offences, more severe and de
grading punshmenIs were resorted L., which were
sometimes disapprOved, pdrdoned by the COM
inandng General, especially when contriion was
manifested by offenders. At length, however, the
disorders OF the army had increased 10 a most
frightful degree, and every punishment hitherto
inflicted, proved Insufficient 10 prevent the dsor-
,auizing and destructive crimes OF mutiny and
desertion. To put stop TO these offences, which
now began seriously TO threaten the dissolution OF
the army, court martial pronounced the sentence
of death against an offender, wlo found guilty
and was a fit subject for that punishment To
give all the efficacy which was practicable 10 this
sentence, and at the same time afford the strongest
evidence of his repugnance at the idea oil permit
ting the life OF guilty wretch to be- sacrificed,
the General ordered grave 10 be dug, and file oil
men were detailed with charged arms "a it to put
the sentence III execution. The cuIprit was
now conducted TO hs grave with appropriate mu.
sic, and there, whist kneeing and expecting IN
q stanly TO receive the dreadful shock, pardon was
j produced from the General, which read aloud
at the head OF the army, then drawn up TO witness
the awful spectacle In that order, granting the
a olfender pardon, the General expatiaed with
great eoquence, and at some length, the de
structive tendency OF the disorders, which had oil
late appeared in the army; on his parental solicit
81 tude for the welfare and honor of hs troops; on
81 his extreme unwingness to see fellow man de
priyed OF his life, although justly forfeited
q 10 tie violated laws aud regulations or the gov
egnnLn of the army; and II my memory not UNI
g faithful, think the order concluded III. these re-
81 Lnarkable words:
* Bul lest Others should derive encouragem- nj
rnm this example OF leniy, TO 90 on 10 the perpe-
tration OF similar offences, which must inevitably
81 terminate in the destruction of this army; ! nos,
solennly declare, SO as the Lord liveth and as my
soul liveth,' il this solemn warning should not
TO deter others from the like offences, they
need not expect me 10 nerpose 10 prevent the sal
utary operation Of law governing such cases"
haxrn ,rtUs. -,
facts, which TRANSFERRED under my owl observation;
before left The army and taken ill., lnnedi-
ately after my recovery and shortly after the ex-
ecution OF Woods, joined the army again, where
q witnessed the most salutary reformation iii the
! conduct of the troops, which shall ever beliey We
/ vas produced by that example
II Now, permit me, my friend, before l conclude
to express my honest belief, that all this claIno o
& which you speak, and which IL doubtless made for
4 party purposes, il to eveDuate greatly TO the in.
jury Of our beloved country LIT our militia be
satisfied, that Commander dare not, under any
circumstances, cause them TO be punished ih
death, and this bulwark Of liberties j. de.
Inolished at once. For you may take my word Tor
IL, let vociierate loud they will about
patriotism, when the tug OF war comes in re-
atty, many, ay, too many, will be found who will
make any sacrifice OF principle, rather than sub
init 10 the hardships, prvations and dangers tC
which they must be exposed in active warfare
d And although General jackson be ccnsured by the
ignorap; aud malicious, for acts of seeming cruel.
~, yet he knows full well, and so 10 all his as
socates in arms, that nothing less than the indo
initabIe spirit by which he was sctuated, and
which qualified him to meet, without disIndy, eve
ry emergency and trial, would have secured hin
ond his army the success and renOwn which has
bcLu awarded to them. You will be surprised
hail lid lnar ft.ata