The Panola lynx. (Panola, Mi. [i.e. Miss.]) 1845-1846, 1845-12-20
THE LIEUTENANTS TALE,
OR. THE CONDEMNED SOLDIER s LAST HoU
ATALE OF THE FLORIDA WAR.
ss-take him hence;
The world shall not save him"

The world shall not save him"
In the spring Of the year 1873,
was stationed with my company in |
Florida, where we daily expected an
attack from a body Of Indians, who
had completely surrounded US, though
keeping at a respectful distance. Our
dangerous position rendered 1t lmPera-
tive that the outposts should be secured
by an unusually strong guard; and at
one point, more exposed than the resi-,
picked men were stationed, OF tried
fidelity and frmness, upon whom the
safety of the camp mainly depended.
1t was past twelve at night, and the
stars, which a few hours before had
Gecked the sky in glowing splendor,
were now obscured by fitting clouds,
that loretold a storm. Not being able
to sleep, rose from my bed threw my
cloak around myself and sailed out.
The garrison was hu shed in utter sill
ence- silence whose intensity was
painful, and we'll wot, that within that
fort were many eyes which courted
the sleepy god.
The fort itself was crazy affair,
very much dilapidated, and has since
gone 10 decay; and al the period OF the
commencement of my story, could have
afforded us but slight protection against
the vigorous onset of determined toe
Soon after emerging from my quarters,
| encountered the Major, who, being
somewhat anxious about our situation,
and wilhal wake(ul, had come out, like
myself for a nocturnal ramble. We
had been sauntering about for some lit
tie time. occasionally converslng in an
under tone, and were approaching a
defective place in the pickets, near the
southwest angle, when yell, such as
| never heard before, and never wish
10 hear again, broke upon the stiffness
of the night, not hundred feet from
our position, with most terrifying Ell
: feet. The MAJOR excaimed-'some
2 Door fellow has been killed, and that is
S the shout of victory and both of us
n ran quickly to the pickets, in the dlrec
n ton from which the yell proceeded
: where we knew a sentinel had beer
d posted. Here we found poor Edward
:, crouching in a sitting position, his eyes
K closed. not in death, but in sleep, ana
j. about four inches above his head was {
$ tomahawk deeply buried in picket.
a Would it had not missed It's mark,
muttered the Major, taking the muske
t softly from the sleeper's hand, and lay
mo i aside; Lieutenant, call the office
( OF the guard
| will not attempt to portray th'
agony of mind which he suffered; hi
trial came on next day, and he wa
: brought forward.
Where was the marital air which
had always distinguished him among
. his comrades? Instead of being th'
!. hearty, robust soldier that he was
9 few hours before, yoI would hav
Judged that he was just risen from
q sick bed.
= His doom was sealed; and he hear
$ his sentence, that he should de IN
q next morning at sunrise, without eVine
y ing the slightest agitation; and whe
= the order by the court, "remove IN
prisoner struck his ear, he resume
. his place between the guards and strod
:, ha Chilly away. About | O'Clock,
- NJ. the officer of the guard miorme
g me that Edwards expressed a desire
= see me before his execution. | lmm'
" diately repaired to the old block. hous
- ~ and in a moment was with the prlsone
, well, Edwards, | am grieved to m
- inmost soul to see you here, condemnt
:" 10 die, and yet so young. 1t is har
- very hard. but am constrained
5e confess the justice of your sentence.
" .know it: am justly condemne
ID and am willing TO explate my Grin
- with nv i(e-but let that pass. ha
y sent for YOU, in the hope that you "
grant me a favor