The banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1844-1847, 1846-05-13
From the Tennessee Democrat.
OF MAJOR J Y.
BURNEY.

tlon at castle Icrote, Mexico. The
young man was brave and gencrous-a
firm friend to his lricnd-an implacablc
enemy to his encmies-ncver feared the
odds in combat-was certainly an in
trcpid soldier in the field of battle
loved the institutions of his native coun-
try, and was one of those chivalric spi-
rits who fought for the rights Of Texas.
In short, he was man possessed of many
ennobling qualities, with some slight
discrepancies, which were multiplied
from adverse circumstances in lifc-it is
obvious that his general disposition was
honest integrity, and correct regard for
his obligations-but fate dccrccd against
him.
The death of this young man is dec
ply lamcnted by large circle OF friends
and relations, in the vicinity of Hcrts
Crossroads, and throughout Tennessee.
The Mexican General has caused one
Of tsIcnnessee's bravest sons to be put to
death, but should an opportunity serve.
thousands would sally forth from his ma
tive beat, TO revenge his unjust and un-
timel y death. The following we copied
from his own steady handwriting.
To Mrs MATILDA BURNEY:-
Castle Perotc Mccico,
December "a, lS45.
My DEAR MoTnER.-Ere this shall
meet your eyes, l shall be no more on
earth. My race is run, my days, my
hours: yea, even my moments are num-
bered. l am to be executed tomorrow
morning at s o'clock No doubt you
think strange Of no, hearing of me. l
will tell you the reason; arrived safe
IN Texas when l left you, and received
my pay from those I had claims against,
in March last, and through the persua-
sions of some of my friends, who were
then preparing to go to Mexico, on
trading expedition, was influenced to
purchase some goods, and went with
them to Chihuahua, in the northern part
of the Republic of Mexico. We sold
out our goods at about one hundred per
cent profit, and were on our way back
when we were arrested at San Louis
Potosi, by order of General Arista, un-
der the charge of being Texans, who
fought against Santa Anna, in Texas
in 1886.
On hearing the cause of our dctcn-
ton, resolved never to surrender, and
was fired upon, and wounded in seven
places; having my left arm and right
thigh both broken, was unable to fight
any. was then lashed on the back Of
a mule, and carried to the city of Mexi-
co, where l was cast into dungeon for
six months, and never saw the sun, or
day light after getting we'll Of any
wounds. was removed to this miserable
place to await my trial This morning
| was brought into the Court room, and
the sentence read to me, that was to
be shot to death by order Of the Court
Martial.
lst. For taking up arms, and fighting
against the Central party, or army in
Mexico, in 1886.
End. For having come into Mexico,
selling goods, without license or pass
port.
4th. For refusing to surrender, and
killing three Mexicans before was ta-
ken.
These are the charges for which I am
to die. have never been permitted to
write word until today, l was told by
the Alcalda, that might write one let
ter, and one only, and he would have it
sent to New Orleans, or wherever I
wished. He informed me, that every
thing that could be done, had been done,
to save me, but all to no purpose
Don't grieve, it will do no good, before
this can possibly reach you | shall be in
eternity. Idon'tintend that tear shall
dampen my eyes. Il die lihe soldier
Texas will avenge my blood. It>is hard
that have no chance for my life. lam
now manacled down with no less than
seventy pounds of chains about me.
Oh God! there is no telling wha, have
suffered, death is. preferable to my pre-
sent situation.
1 can't say what I wish to in this, but
it is the last you will ever see from me.
hope to meet you in heaven.-Yell all
Il