Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1829-06-04
NAEAL EXECUTION.

8 o'clock Ihe gun fired the SIG
nal Ter punishment flew at our mast
head Tie poor Hen gave deep gr"sh
excaimlng Lord have mercy upon Us
our earthly career and troubles are
nearlv ogein The master at arms
came in, unlocked the paddock at the
end of the bars, and, slipping oil the
shackles, desired the marine sentinets 10
conduct the prisoners to the quarter
deck.
"Rere was a scene OF solegnlty,
which hardly dare attempt to describe.
The day was clear and beautiful; Toe
top gallant yards were crossed OR oosta
If all the ships, the coIors were lying;
the crews were all dressed Ia white
trowsers and blue jackets, add hung IN
clusters, like bees, on the side OF the
rigging facing our ship;a guard OF ma =
riues, under arms, was placed aio6g
each gsngway, but on board our snip
they were on the quarter deck. Two
boats from each ship lay oil upon their
oars along side of US, with '!leutenanPs
and corporal guard 10 each, with tx
ed bayonets. The hands were all turn
cd up by the baatswain and bis mates
with shriI whistle, and calling dewn
each hatchway, 'Ail hands attend pau
ishment!
"You now heard the quick trampIiag
Of feet up the ladders, but not word
was spoken. The prisoners stood on
the middle of the quarter deck, while
the Captain read the sentence OF the
court martial and the order from the
Commander in Chieffer the execution.
The appropriate prayers and psalms
having been read by the chaplain, with
much feeling and devotion. the poor
men we're asked il they were Fead7;
they both replied in the affirmative, but
each requested TO have a glass OF wlnes
which was instantly brought, They
drank it off, bowling most respectfully to
The Captain and Officers
1.-The arms Of the prisoners were then
pinioned, aud the chaplain led the way.
reading the funeral service; ihe master
at arms, withtwo marine seutlnels, cen
Quoted them along the starboard gang
way 20 the forecastle; here stage was
erected or either side, oyer the cathead,
with steps to ascend to it; til block
was attached to the boem iron, at the
outer extremity of each fore yard arm,
! and through this rope was rove, one
end of which came down to the stage
The other was led along the yard INTO
the eathaspings, and th ence down upon
the main deck A gun was primed and
ready 60 fire, on the lore part OF the
ship, directly beneath the scatfold,
Il attended poor Strange to toe very
last moment; be begged me to see that
the halter, which was piece OF line,
like alothe's line, was properly made
fast round his neck, for he had known
men suffer dreadfuIly from the want OF
this pracsution a white csp was p'ac'
ed on the head Of each man, aRd when
both mounted the platform the cap was
drawn over their eyes. They shook
hands with me, with their messma'es, y
with the chaplain, assuring him that they
died happy, and confident in the hopes
of redemption. They then stood still
while the yards ropes were fixed to the
halter by toggie in the running Moose
OF the latter; The ether end OF the yard
ropes were held by some twenty or tblr
ty men each side of the main deck,
where two lieutenants of the ship attend
ed.
"A|l being ready, the captain waved
a white handkerchief, the gun fred, and
in an Instant the poor fellows were seen
swinging at either yard arm They had
on blue jackets and white trowsels, and
we're remarkably 6ne looking men.-
They did not appear to suffer any pain,
and at the expiration of an hour, the boz
dies were lowered down, placed in cof'
fins, and sent on shore for interment."--
From the .N'avaL Officer
DEATH AND SLEEp-AN APoLooUE.
From the German.
AS hand i'm hand the Anrel Sieep and