South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1836-08-20
SATURDAY, AUGUST go, 1886.

cover the eyes ana most OF the face OF
the prisoner-still continuing to speak
in hurried, loud end agitated voice.
The kneeling was the signal for. the
exscutioners to advance-they had be-
fere, to avoid being distinguished by
the prisoner, stood intermingled with
the soldiers who formed the line; they
now came forward marching abreast,
and took their stand little to the left
about two rods distant from their liv-
ing mark. The officer raised his sword.
Atthis signal the executioners took
ain. He then gave blow on drum
which was at hand, the executionefs
| all fired at the same instant. The
miserable man, with a horrid scream
leaped from the earth, and fell be-
tween his coffin and his grave. The
sergeant of the guard, moment after,
shot him through the head with mus.
ket reserved for this purpose in case
the executioners should not produce
instant death. The sergeant, from mo-
lives Of humanity, held the muzzle Of
his'musket near the head--so near lha,
the cap took ffe--and there the body
ldy upon the faee-and head emitting
tbs mingled fumes of burning cotton
and burning hair. o war-dreadful
even in thy tenderness-horrible even
ia thy compassion
j was now desired to perform my
part OF the ceremony add placing
my hand where just before the pulse
beat full, and the life-blood flowed
warm, and finding no symptoms of
either, l affir med he is dead. The
4 whole line then marched by the body
as it. lay upon the earth, the head still
smoking-that every man might be-
hold for himself, the fate of Il desertsr.
Thus far, all had been dreadful, in
deed, but solemn, as it became the
sending OF a spirit TO its dread &C,
count: but now the scene changed. The
whsle band struck up, and with un-
common, animation our national air
(Yankes:aIoodle,) and to its lively
measIres We were, hurried back to our
parade ground. Having been diamiss-
ed, the commander of the post sent an
invitation to all the officers to meet at
bis quarters, whittier we. repaired and
were treated with glass of gin and
water. Thus the tragedy ended in
what SEEMED little better than farce
"a fair specimen, the former Of dread
severity-the latter Of the tender SEN
sibilities-which prevail in the camp.
Do scenes such az these which | have
described enter the minds of those who
have the chief agency of involving
their respective countries in war :
Do they ever fit across the imagination
Of the statesman, while he is talking
loudly Of his coun,ry's honor-of the
splenacr Of military glory-of the ne;
cessity OF warlike, action to wipe off
| the imputatiQns upon .sheir national
couragef Do they ever cast their
dismal shade over the glowing picture
Of chivalry, which 10 the ardor of
passion rises to their vision : Are they
entertained with. the conceptions of
those who, without examination, reject
as idle dreams all plans for the adjust.
ment of international difficulties with
out resort to war, and deride as Wis
ionary all speculation for Introducing
the principles of a better morality into
the code of International law 7 Do
the great mass Of men, ever eager at
the voice Of their leaders to cause the
standard of war to be upreared, kaO,0
IN reality what soar is /?
Advocate Of Peace.
Some of the German Wines are sour
as vinegar, and as rough as file. 1t
I IL