Litchfield enquirer., 1836-01-07

was drawn up 10 the form ut hollow square.
the side beyond tbs grave vacant. The eight
execulioHeFs had been drawn by lOt-nO sol
dier would e0lunIeer for such duty. Their
muskets had been charged by the officer OF
the day--sevpn with bail, the eighth with
powder alone. Thus prepared, they are Pla- |
ced together, and each executioner takes ms
choice. Thus each may believe that ne mas
the blank cartridge, and theretOrs has no hand
in IN. death of his brother soldier; striking |
indications of the nature OF the service.
The coffin was placed parallel with the
grave and about two feet distant. Ia the in
ferveniDg space, the prisoner was directed To
stand. He desired permission to say word
to his fellow soldiers; and thus standing be-
tween his coffin and his grave, warned them
against desertiOn, continuing to speak until
10 him in low voice, Iico O'clock,
yowr last moment Is at hand-you must kneel
upon yOmr coffin. This done, the officer drew
down the white cap, SO as 10 coyer the eyes
and most ofthe face Of the prisoner-still con-
tinuing TO speak in = hurried, loud, and agitat-
ed voice. The kneeling was the signal for
the eEecutioners to advance. They had be-
fore, to avoid being distinguished by the pri-
s0ner, stood interming!ed with the soldiers
who formed the line. They now came for
ward, marching, abreasi, and took their stand
little TO the left, about two rods distant from
their living mark. The officer raised his sword.
AT this signal, the officers took aim. HIS then
gave a blow on drum which was 1T hand !;
the executiOners all fred at the same instant.
! The miserable man, with horrible scream,
leaped from the earth, and fell between his
coffin and his grave. The sergeant Of the
guard, moment after, shot him through the
head, with musket reserved for this purpose
. AZ ~.
| instant death. The sergeant, from motives of
humanity, held the muzzle Of the musket
| near the head--so near, that the cap took fire
and there the body lay upon the face-the
head emitting the mingled fumes Of burning
cotton and burning hair. O war. dreadful
even in thy tenderness-horrible even in thy
compassion! ra te
| I was now desiredto perform my part OF
the ceremony and placing my hand where
Just before the pulse beat full, and the life
flowed warm, and finding no symptom of Ell
Their, affirmed. be is dead. The whole line
then marched by the body. as it lay upon the
earth, the head still smeking-shat every man
might behold for himselfthe fate ola 6eserter.
/ Thus far all had been dreadful indeed, but
solemn, as it became the sending OF a spirit
to its dread account but now the scene chan
ges. The whole band struck up, and with
X
kee Doodle,) and to it's lively measures we
were hurried back to our parade ground.
I Having been dismissed, the commander OF
the post asnt 40 invitation to all the officers to
meet at his quarters, whittier we rcpajFed,
and were treated to glass Of gin and water.
Thus this nnelancholy tragedy ended 10 what
seemed little better than farce--a fair speci-
men, the former Of the dread severity--the
latter Of the moral sensibiiies-which pre-
sail 10 the camp. Do scenes such as this.
| which have described, enter the minds of
those who have the chief agency in involving
| their respective countries in war; Do they
ever Hit across the imagination Of the states
! man. while he is talking loudly Of insult to
his country's honor-of the splendor OF mill
tary glory. of the necessity Of waFIike nation,
70 wipe of imputations upon the national
courage! Do they ever cast their dismal
shade oyer the glowing picture Of chivalry,
winch, in the ardor Of passion, rises TO his vi.
sion Are they entertained in the concep.
tions OF those who. without examination, re-
Ject az idle dreams all plans for the adjust
ment Of INTERNATIONAL difficulties without re-
sort 10 war, and deride as visionary all speci-
nc action for introducing the principles Of
better morality into the code Of interna tionsl
law 4, Do the great mass OF men, ever eager
at the voice Of their leaders to cause the stan.
dard Of war TO be upreared, kno,c in realitv
WHAT War is? Mono. The words Of the
Poet are but too true:
=. Secure from actual warfare, we have how'd
70 swell the war-whoop, passionate for warL
Nias Tor ages ignorant Of all aa F8f
!Is ghastier working, --- "a ~
We-- have been clamorous
For war and bloodshed; anma.inR sports,
s s"s which we pay for as thing % talk Of
Spectators and moi coMbatants! No RuesR
AAnucpatiye Of wrong unfelt,
NO speculation on contingency, n +7 4'ft
Trow s.:N,s dm end vague, too vagae and dinH
"; w ysld lne.iiy!ng cause; and forth,
tStuMa out with big preamble, holy names,
ana adJeraiions osihe God In heavenly
We sand cor mandates for the certain death
Ofihousands and ten thousands Boys and girls
And women, that would groan 10 see q child n
fnll on an insects leg, oil read Of was, "a W t
The best amusement for our morning meal! s
The poor wretch who has learnt his only prayers
From curses, who knows scarce words enough
70 ask blessing from his Heavenly Father
Becomes q fluent phraseman, absolute
And technical in victories and deceit,
And aIl>oar dainty terms for frairicide; s'es
Terms which we irundle smoothly Ger our tongues,
Like mere abstraeiions. empty sounds, 70 which
We join no ieeling and attach no form! r. ~
Asi the soldier died without wound; tsttsi
AZ 1.-THE abres Of this godiike frame. H.
Were CORD without . Pang a. &c The wretch
MhG !slI o. battls. doing bloody deeds,
Fassd on 70 heaven, translated aRd not kill'dj
As though pc had no wife TO pine for him,
Are coming on us, o my coGnsrymes! sl5t7
e,And what IL al.avengiRg Providence,
Girong and rctributive, should make us know
The meaning Of our words, force 10 10 feel
The desoaticn and the sgoHy t stn 4,
OfoUr fierce doisgs"
From ths Oaondaga Chief.
Horrible Catastrophe. the nth inst.
the house OF Christopher Houghtaling, in La
Fayette, was burned to the grOund. and Mr..
n. and ono Of his children persisted in the