Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1847-09-17
CHAPTER VII.


We will not follow the prisoner to the place of
his confinement, or dwell upon his dismal renec-
tons behind the grated bars oc feIon's celI.--
He was not a prisoner of war, entitled to the
courteseS and respect due to brave but unIor-
tunate soldier. He was criminal, guilty of a
most base and ignominious act, for which his
thorough know ledge Of military law told him he
must die. He had landed without flag, entered
the enemy's quarters in disguise, and there
sought to bribe an officer to the betrayal of his
trust There was no hope. He felt it. He
must die upon the scaiIod. In vain, with mpo-
tent rage, did he heap curses upon the heads OF
his imbecie agents. They were at liberty, and
he the victim. If any thing could aggravate his
wrctchedness, it was the reflection that the day OF
his expected nuplials. No time was lost in his
trial. military court was convened on the en-
suing day, before which the prisoner made an
ingenious but useless defence. He was convic-
led and sentenced to death, and the sentence was
Immediately forwarded 10 the commandments
chief for approval.
The minules of the trial, which were also sent
to General Washington, were fully explanatory
of the particulars Of his arrest, and Of the per-
sonal reasons which had Influenced Gansevoor
in resorng TO measures for its procurement,
which the latter would otherwise have consider
ed Objectionable. To these, the commandan
added his express DESIRE that if the circumstan'
ces afforded any ground for a mitigation Of pun
ishment, the prisoner might have The full benefit
OF it.
During the few days that elapsed before re-
turn could be expected, no eXertons were spared
bytheunhoppy man that seemed ooffei chance
for his escape. At times, inflated with the idea
Of his personal importance, he INDUCED the hope
that Washington would not dare TO proceed tC
exremetieS against him. If that distinguished
leader entertained any idea Of compromising the
national quarrel, it certainly would be bad policy
TO widen the breach between theopposing parties
by unnecessary rigor. He did not, therefore
neglect to magnify his own importance by alu
sions to his family connections, his expected pro
motion TO the peerage, and, stretching u point lo
that purpose. his intimacy with royalty ITSELF
He succeeded so well by these means, in at leas
convincing himself of his security that he soor
began to resent even the indignity OF a persona
confinement. His first eXpostuIations on th
point, addressed 10 an officer on guard, were me
by the assurance that his cause Of complain
would be speedily removed. The order for hi
execution had arrived. Bldnched with terror, HI
refused 10 believe the ridings. He had not enter
tained doubt that whatever the decision OF IN
commandeF-n-chiefsh should be, the importance
of the transaction would at least induce the per
sonal attendance of that officer. When, hOwev
er, pursuant to his request, the report of his tra
and sentence was shown TO him, bearing tn
simple endorsement "Approved-Geo. Wash
Iington," his humiliation was complete. Losn!
at once all sense of personal dignity and iorll
tude, he begged his life in the most abject terms
ResoIutely refusing any personal interview viii
The prisoner, Gansevoort was importuned by let
Ter. Enreates, threats, and promises, mlnglel